Create Hope

Are you looking for innovative ways to help clients heal when words aren't enough?
Elevate your therapeutic practice with a creative approach.
Create Hope is pleased to share we will be running our Entry Award in Creative and Play Counselling Skills for Children and Young People in August. This intake includes a dedicated residential option, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the learning experience.
Tailored for both aspiring and experienced counsellors, this course explores the profound impact of play and the arts in facilitating deep emotional healing.
Take the next step in your career and master the core principles of integrative creative therapy.
To request an application form or find out more, please reach out to [email protected]
We would greatly appreciate you sharing this opportunity with colleagues who might find it valuable.

Garry Landreths’s child centred play therapy underpins our approach to creative and play therapy as taught on our integrative creative and play therapy diploma. It is with great sadness to hear of his death and pray for his family and close friends at this time.
What an inspiration and legacy he leaves behind.

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Garry Landreth, whose contributions forever shaped the field of play therapy and the lives of countless children, families, and clinicians.

As the founder of the Center for Play Therapy and author of Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship, Dr. Landreth taught us that healing begins with connection, acceptance, and presence. His wisdom, humility, and unwavering belief in children continue to inspire our work every day.

At Playful EMDR, we are deeply grateful for the foundation he built and the lasting impact of his vision.

“When I am with children, the person I am is much more important than anything I know how to do in my mind.” — Garry L. Landreth

Thank you, Dr. Landreth. Your legacy lives on.

Play isn’t just for children — it’s fuel for adult creativity, connection, and wellbeing.
When we give ourselves permission to play, we unlock new ideas, reduce stress, and reconnect with the parts of ourselves that make life feel lighter and more inspired.
If you know someone who could use a little more creativity, joy, or playful exploration in their life? If so, please share this post.
Click the link in our bio for more details or to make a referral.
Let’s make space for more imagination, more curiosity, and more play - at every age.

We asked our therapists to share some of the encouraging signs they see during sessions that prove a child is moving forward.
When a child extends their communication skills from a therapy room into the wider world, it represents a major breakthrough in their development. Using an activity like shared drumming illustrates how non-verbal, creative mediums can bridge the gap between clinical progress and real-world social integration.

Is your child’s emotional bucket full?
As adults, we use words when we are stressed. Children use behavior. When a child’s "emotional bucket" overflows, it rarely looks like a calm request for help. Instead, it looks like a sudden shift in how they cope with the world.
Here are the silent signs that your child’s bucket is completely full:
Frequent Meltdowns: Big reactions to tiny, everyday problems.
Sleep Changes: Trouble falling asleep, frequent night waking, or sudden nightmares.
Regression: Acting younger than their age (clinging, thumb-sucking, or wetting the bed).
Defiance: Saying "no" to everything, refusing to cooperate, or intense power struggles.
Physical Complaints: Frequent stomach aches or headaches with no medical cause.
How Play Therapy helps empty the bucket. You might look into a playroom and just see toys, but a trained play therapist sees a child working through hard emotions. Toys are a child's words. Play is their language. In play therapy, we help children empty their buckets by:
Externalising Big Feelings: It is easier to show anger through a puppet or a toy dinosaur than to explain it to an adult.
Re-writing the Narrative: Kids re-enact stressful events through play to gain control over them.
Building Coping Skills: We practice emotional regulation in a safe, low-stakes environment.
If your child’s bucket is overflowing, you don't have to fix it alone. Play therapy gives them the tools to empty it safely.
Save this post for the next time your child has a tough day, and share it with a parent who might need this reminder today.
If you would like more information, or would like to make a referral please click here: https://www.createhopeuk.org/therapy

There are many things that we notice in therapy sessions that indicate a child is making progress in their therapeutic journey;
▪️ When a client starts to be more open about their feelings either verbally or through their play, this shows their trust in the therapist to be able to sit with these feelings and deepens the therapeutic relationship.
▪️ When a child creates a problem and finds a resolution for themselves they demonstrate a growing sense of control over feelings, fears, or conflicts that once felt overwhelming. Play becomes a rehearsal space for real-life coping.

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In creative therapy, play helps adults reconnect with imagination, reduce stress, and unlock new ways of expressing themselves. It’s amazing what can happen when we give ourselves permission to explore, make, move, and create without judgment.
Do you know someone who could benefit from more creativity, connection, and playful healing? Please share this post so we can reach the people who need it most.
Let’s make space for joy at every age.
Click the link in our bio for more details or to make a referral.

Celebrate National Volunteers Week by joining our amazing team!
We are looking for passionate individuals to fill two vital volunteer roles.

👫Parent/Carer Support Volunteer
The Role: Offer a listening ear and emotional support to families.
The Impact: Help parents and carers feel confident and less isolated.
Ideal For: Anyone with great empathy and excellent listening skills.

📝Admin Support Volunteer
The Role: Assist with general office tasks.
The Impact: Keep our services running smoothly behind the scenes.
Ideal For: Organized individuals looking to build office experience.

💖 Why Volunteer With Us?
Make a real difference in your local community.
Learn new skills and boost your CV.
Meet friendly, like-minded people.
Full training and ongoing support provided.

Ready to make a difference? Apply today!
To apply or find out more, please email us at [email protected]

This , we want to say a massive THANK YOU to our incredible volunteers at Create Hope!
Every day, they help children process big feelings and build resilience through the power of play therapy.
While our therapists help children heal through play, our amazing office and facilities volunteers make that healing space possible. We are looking for passionate people to join our team in two vital roles:
Office Admin Volunteer: Help us stay organized, manage data, and support our daily operations.
Reception & Facilities Volunteer: Be the welcoming face for families and keep our therapeutic environment safe and inviting.
Your time and skills can directly help children and families find hope and resilience. If you would like to find out more, please contact [email protected]