Black Lake Therapy
Many children do not have the words to express their worries, or vocalise their emotions in the world around them. Play is a hugely effective way for children to consciously and subconsciously express their feelings and emotions. Black Lake Therapy is led by Dr Sinéad Mc Donough, (graduate of University College Cork), offers a safe environment within a free and protected space where a child can play and process emotions to enable them make sense of their experiences and begin a healing process.
Therapeutic Play/Play Therapy
Therapeutic Play and Play Therapy focuses on fostering play to help children understand their behaviour, express their feelings, and build coping skills and is the main goal of play therapy. Younger children in particular frequently lack the verbal abilities necessary to express complicated emotions and experiences. Children naturally communicate through play, which gives therapists a secure and comfortable setting in which to observe and communicate with them. Children learn to express themselves, comprehend their feelings, and form healthy behaviours through regulated play.
It is important to note the difference between Therapeutic Play & Play Therapy. A child with mild to moderate emotional or psychological conditions can benefit from therapeutic play. Additionally, it can be utilised to identify more significant issues. Children experiencing moderate, and chronic emotional or psychological conditions benefit from play therapy
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About Black Lake Therapy
Led by Dr. Sinéad McDonough, Black Lake Therapy provides compassionate, professional support for children and youth, through therapeutic play and online safety education. With over 20 years’ experience working with children across schools, care settings, and youth services, Dr. Sinéad combines a PhD in Psychology, awarded through the school of Applied Psychology University College Cork, with specialist training in play therapy and child wellbeing. Sinéad is a certified practitioner and registered on the Register of Play & Creative Art Therapists.
What Is Therapeutic Play/Play Therapy?
Play as a Child’s Natural Language
Children often struggle to express complex emotions verbally. Therapeutic play provides a safe and supportive space where a child can communicate through play allowing them to explore feelings, behaviors and experiences.
Child-Centered Approach
Play Therapy adheres to the principles developed by Virginia Axline. Axline is best known for her influence on play therapy. Axline began to explore play therapy in the early 1940s and developed her own technique of non-directive play therapy. Axline's core principles and theories were created from the person-centered approach developed by Carl Rogers.
Flexible & Child Centred
Each session is tailored to meet the child’s unique needs, supporting emotional expression, self-awareness, and healthy coping skills.
Where Therapeutic Play & Play Therapy Can Support
It can help children experiencing:
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Anxiety, low self-esteem, or depression
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Grief, trauma, or nightmares
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Family changes, illness, or hospitalisation
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Behavioural difficulties or school refusal
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Bullying, abuse, or neglect
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Neurodiverse needs (e.g. Autism, ADHD, sensory differences)
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Relationship issues