Parent Support in Cork - Helping You Help Your Child
Parenting a child who is struggling emotionally is one of the hardest things a parent can face. You want to help but you're not sure how. You try everything and nothing seems to work.
You worry that something you've done, or haven't done is making things worse.
Parent support at Heart in Mind Play Therapy is not about telling you what you're doing wrong. It's about giving you a better understanding of your child and practical tools that actually make a difference at home.
What parent support looks like
As a qualified Parent-Child Relationship practitioner with over 20 years of experience in family support,
I offer parents a space to talk through what's happening with their child, without judgment and to develop a practical plan for managing challenges at home.
Parent support sessions can be standalone or run alongside your child's play therapy. They are confidential, one-to-one, and completely tailored to your family's situation.
Understanding your child's behaviour
Often the most difficult behaviours, meltdowns, defiance, withdrawal, aggression are communication. Parent support helps you understand what your child is trying to tell you through their behaviour and how to respond in a way that helps rather than escalates.
Building connection through play
As a Parent-Child Relationship practitioner, one of the most powerful tools I share with parents is the use of play to build connection and trust with their child. Even 15 to 20 minutes of child-led play each day can make a significant difference to a child's emotional wellbeing and behaviour.
Practical strategies for everyday challenges
From managing morning routines to handling homework battles, bedtime resistance and sibling conflict, I work with you to develop strategies that are realistic for your family and grounded in an understanding of child development.
Supporting you through your child's therapy
If your child is attending play therapy with me, regular parent sessions are built into the process. Every 4 to 6 weeks we meet to review progress, discuss what you're seeing at home, and make sure you feel informed and supported throughout.
Who parent support is for
- Parents of children with anxiety, behaviour difficulties or emotional dysregulation
- Parents of neurodivergent children - Autism, ADHD, PDA
- Families going through significant change — separation, bereavement, new baby
- Parents who feel disconnected from their child and want to rebuild the relationship
- Parents who feel overwhelmed and want practical, non-judgmental support
- Foster and adoptive parents navigating the unique challenges of their family situation
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About Elaine
I'm Elaine Breen, a PTIrl registered accredited play therapist and qualified Parent-Child Relationship practitioner based in Blarney, Cork.
Before training as a play therapist I spent over 20 years working directly with parents and families running parenting programmes, providing one-to-one family support, and helping parents navigate complex systems to get the help their children needed.
That background means I bring something different to parent support. I understand the system, I understand the exhaustion, and I understand that most parents aren't looking for a lecture, they're looking for someone who gets it and can help.
20+ years experience
No HSE waiting list
PTIrl accredited
Based in Blarney, Cork
You don't have to figure this out alone
Whether your child is already attending play therapy or you're looking for support as a parent in your own right, get in touch for a free confidential consultation.
We'll talk through what's happening and figure out the best way I can help.