Play Therapy

What is Play Therapy?

Children and teenagers experience a wide range of emotions, but they may not always have the words to express what they’re going through. Through child and adolescent psychotherapy and play therapy, Avril offers a safe, supportive, and creative space where children can explore their thoughts, feelings, and challenges at their own pace.

Play is a child’s natural way of expressing themselves. In play therapy, children use toys, art, and storytelling to process their emotions, build resilience, and develop essential coping skills. It allows them to communicate what might be difficult to express in words, helping them navigate anxiety, trauma, grief, behavioral challenges, or emotional struggles.

What is Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy?

Child and adolescent psychotherapy is a specialised form of therapy that supports young people in understanding and managing their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It provides a safe, non-judgmental space where children and teenagers can explore their experiences, build resilience, and develop healthier coping strategies.
Using a blend of creative expression, and play-based techniques, therapy is tailored to meet each young person’s unique needs.
It can help with a wide range of challenges, including:

• Anxiety, stress, and low mood
• Emotional regulation and self-esteem
• Family changes, trauma, or loss
• Social and behavioral difficulties
• Relationship challenges and peer pressure

Therapy is child-centered, meaning sessions are adapted to suit the individual’s age, development, and personality. With younger children, play therapy may be used as a natural way to express feelings. For adolescents, a combination of talking, creative exploration, and mindfulness-based techniques can help them navigate life’s challenges more effectively.

Through this process, young people gain self-awareness, emotional strength, and healthier relationships, empowering them to thrive in their everyday lives.

How Therapy Can Help:

• Build emotional resilience and confidence
• Reduce anxiety, stress, and overwhelm
• Process difficult life experiences such as trauma, grief, or change
• Improve communication and self-expression
• Strengthen coping strategies for everyday challenges
• Support social and behavioral development

About Avril

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in their child’s emotional well-being. As part of the therapeutic process, Avril offers guidance, insights, and support to help families foster stronger connections and create a nurturing environment at home.

Avril Mullally is a Creative Psychotherapist, Play Therapist, and Holistic Practitioner with over 15 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families. She is passionate about providing a compassionate, integrative, and creative approach to therapy, helping individuals navigate emotional challenges and build resilience.

Avril is completing a Master of Arts in Creative Psychotherapy (Humanistic and Integrative Modality) and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy from the Children’s Therapy Centre. She has also completed a Personal Development Programme at the Gestalt Institute of Ireland and holds a Certificate in Principles of Art Therapy from Crawford College of Art and Design. In addition, Avril has a BSc in Multimedia from Dublin City University (DCU), which allows her to integrate digital creativity into her therapeutic work, content creation, and outreach.

Alongside her psychotherapy work, Avril is a qualified Yoga and Mindfulness teacher and an experienced Holistic Therapist. Her background in body-based and creative therapies allows her to offer a deeply integrative and person-centered approach, supporting emotional well-being through a combination of talk therapy, play, movement, and mindfulness.

As a pre-accredited therapist with IAPTP, Avril is committed to ethical practice, professional integrity, and continuous learning. She strongly adheres to the IAPTP Code of Ethics, ensuring a safe and supportive space for every child, adolescent, and family she works with.

Begin the Journey