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Our Services

At Helping Hands Play Therapy, we provide a range of child-centered therapeutic services designed to support emotional well-being, development, and resilience. Our play-based approach offers children a safe space to express feelings, process experiences, and build confidence at their own pace.

Explore our services below to learn how we can support your child’s journey.

One-on-one sessions focused on your child’s unique journey.

These private sessions allow children to explore their emotions, experiences, and challenges through play. Iris uses therapeutic techniques to support children in developing emotional resilience, improving self-esteem, and working through trauma or behavioral issues.
↗ Best for children who benefit from focused, individualized attention.

Group Play Therapy

Encouraging connection and peer interaction in a therapeutic group setting.
Group sessions help children develop important social skills such as cooperation, empathy, and communication. Guided by Iris, the sessions create a supportive environment where children can share experiences, learn from peers, and build friendships.
↗ Ideal for children who may struggle in social settings or benefit from peer interaction.

Anxiety & Self-Esteem Support

Helping children manage worries and build confidence.
Through therapeutic play, children learn coping strategies to manage anxiety and stress. Sessions focus on helping children understand their feelings, boost self-esteem, and develop a more positive self-image.
↗ For children who experience excessive worry, fear, or low confidence.

Trauma & Abuse Recovery

Providing a safe space for healing and empowerment.
Children who have experienced trauma or abuse often struggle to express their feelings verbally. Play Therapy allows them to process difficult emotions in a gentle, non-verbal way, helping them regain a sense of control and safety.
↗ For children coping with past trauma, abuse, or difficult life events.

Behavioral Support

Addressing challenging behaviours with compassion and understanding.
These sessions help children understand the reasons behind their behaviours, develop emotional regulation skills, and learn more positive ways to express their needs. Iris works closely with families to ensure strategies can be supported at home.
↗ For children showing signs of aggression, defiance, withdrawal, or other behavioural difficulties.

Developmental Delays & Disabilities

Specialized Play Therapy for children with unique developmental needs.
Iris’s background as a Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disabilities (RNID) allows her to offer informed, compassionate support to children with developmental delays or disabilities. Therapy focuses on enhancing communication, improving social skills, and fostering independence.
↗ For children with autism, intellectual disabilities, or developmental delays.

Social & Family Relationship Support

Helping children navigate complex relationships and life transitions.
Whether a child is dealing with family separation, sibling rivalry, or difficulties making friends, Play Therapy can support them in understanding relationships, improving communication, and strengthening emotional bonds.
↗ For children experiencing changes in family dynamics or struggling with social connections.

Bereavement & Loss Support

Supporting children through grief and loss in a gentle, understanding way.
Losing a loved one or pet can be deeply confusing and painful for a child. Through Play Therapy, children can process grief in their own time and way, finding comfort and emotional support along the way.
↗ For children coping with the loss of a family member, friend, or pet.

Support During Illness or Hospitalisation

Helping children adjust to medical challenges with strength and resilience.
Serious illness or extended hospital stays can be frightening and disorienting for children. Play Therapy provides a safe outlet to explore feelings about illness, medical procedures, or changes in routine, promoting resilience and emotional well-being.
↗ For children dealing with chronic illnesses or medical treatments.

What is Play Therapy?

A child may not always have the words to express their feelings or understand the reasons behind their behaviors. They might struggle to recognize what they find difficult or explain it when asked.
 

Play therapy offers a powerful way for children to communicate and make sense of their emotions using their natural language—play. Through carefully selected materials such as sand, clay, puppets, art, music, movement, and sensory play, play therapy provides a safe, structured space where children can explore their thoughts and experiences. This therapeutic approach fosters self-awareness, emotional expression, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. 

What Are the Benefits of Play Therapy?

Play Therapy can provide support in a wide range of areas, including:  
- Anger management  
- Anxiety  
- ADHD & Autism (ASD)  
- Challenging behaviors  
- Grief, bereavement, and loss  
- Bullying (experiencing or engaging in bullying)  
- Difficulty with focus, motivation, or concentration  
- Emotional regulation and resilience  
- Coping with illness (personal or within the family)  
- Relationship and attachment challenges  
- Feelings of sadness or depression  
- Family changes, separation, or divorce  
- Social skills and peer interactions  
- Self-harm and emotional distress  
- Healing from trauma  
 

Through play therapy, children are given a safe and supportive space to process emotions, develop coping strategies, and build confidence in navigating life's challenges.  

Who is Play Therapy For?

Children aged 4–13 years can benefit from Play Therapy to better understand their feelings and experiences.

  • Do I need a referral?
    No. I have an open referral system which means that anybody can make a referral for Play Therapy including parents, guardians or professionals.
  • What is your intake protocol – how soon can I start?
    First step is to contact me via email or phone. I will then forward information about the service, relevant paperwork (parental consent, contract) which you then fill out and send back to me. I will contact you to schedule a Parent Interview Appointment. I will send a payment link for this appointment. In order to confirm this appointment, payment must be paid in advance. (Please note cancellation policy applies as detailed in email). This Parent Interview Appointment is for Parents only (no children attend) and will be scheduled for approximately 60 mins. Both parents should attend but if not possible, can be scheduled either in person or via Zoom (and will be charged as a separate meeting). Please note parental consent is required from both parents (unless full guardianship has been court appointed). When an appointment slot to start therapy has been agreed with parents/ guardians, an email will be sent to outline additional information regarding how to prepare your child for starting therapy, how progress is reviewed, scheduling and confidentiality. Looking forward to meeting you!
  • What is the age range for your Play Therapy Service?
    I currently work with children between 4-13 years of age.
  • How often are sessions?
    Sessions are once a week, on same day, at the same time as agreed during parent intake consultations. This consistency and commitment is crucial for the therapeutic process. This is your child’s Special Time and is honoured, held and respected by all parties.
  • How long is each session?
    Each session is 45 mins long. Please note parental consultations are scheduled separately without children present.
  • How many sessions will my child need?
    Each child is different in their personality, developmental stage, trust building capacity, previous experiences and current coping abilities. They progress at their own pace. All children naturally take time to build trust in the therapeutic space before opening up and this cannot be rushed or forced. I ask for an initial commitment of 12 sessions (this will be agreed with the parent/career at Initial Intake Consultation). Children may need further session after the initial 12 sessions. Working closely with parents, therapy is reviewed regularly at interim meetings.
  • How often do you meet with parents during the Play
    In order to review the child's progress at home and in school as well as discuss possible strategies that may support your child's progress, regular review meetings between parents and the therapist are scheduled every 8 to 10 sessions without the child. Parents/ guardians are encouraged to attend these appointments in person, if at all possible, but phone calls during the session time are possible instead if childcare is an issue. Please note these sessions (including phone calls) are charged at €40.
  • Claiming Health Insurance?
    Many health insurance plans cover Play Therapy under ‘child counselling'. For details, please check with your individual health insurance provider for your specific plan to see if child counselling is covered. I will provide invoice for all sessions attended. Please note that if covered, you will need to pay for play therapy in full and then furnish receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement. Alternatively you may be able to claim therapy cost on Med 1 form or online on www.revenue.ie
  • What is the best way to explain to my child that they are going to attend play therapy ?
    Be honest and use clear open, age appropriate language. Explain to your child that you have found someone to help them with difficult feelings they may be having and that they will be doing that through playing, using arts and crafts, music and games! I also have an information sheet that you can share with your child.
  • Are you registered with CORU?
    As of now, Play Therapy in Ireland is not yet regulated by CORU. Rest assured, however, I am registered and certified with Play Therapy Ireland, Play Therapy International, and recognized by the Professional Standards Authority in the UK. I am an APAC (Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy) trained therapist, accredited by Play Therapy International/UK and the IBECPT (International Board of Examiners of Certified Play Therapists).
  • Are you insured? Garda Vetted?
    Yes, fully insured by OBF Insurance Group Ltd and fully Garda Vetted.
  • Are sessions confidential?
    Yes, sessions are completely confidential. If a therapist has a concern about a child's welfare, it is their professional duty to report the concern to the Deputy Liaison Person (DLP) or Duty Social Worker. They will take appropriate measures to deal with the concern; including contacting the Garda Siochana or TUSLA, where required.
  • Do you require both Parents sign to Consent forms?
    This play therapy service follows best practice guidelines with regards to parental consent in order to advocate effectively for the child. In line with the Children & Family Relationship Act of 2015, both parents are required to sign consent forms for play therapy. I acknowledge and understand that family situations can be complex and difficult and so I take the utmost care to ensure that all participants in my service are working within the correct and appropriate legal framework. Parental consent is compulsory for accessing this play therapy service.
  • Do you provide Reports?
    Please note: I do not provide Court Reports or School Reports.
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085 767 1830

helpinghandsplaytherapy@outlook.ie

Private Play Space
Quilty, Co. Clare
Eircode: V95 W8H7

© 2025 by Helping Hands Play Therapy

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