Specialist support for children in Wexford

Mentalisation-informed
art therapy

I offer warm, relational art therapy grounded in mentalisation-based principles for children and young people affected by anxiety, stress, and overwhelming experiences. Mentalising is the capacity to hold our own mind and the minds of others in mind, to wonder with curiosity what we and the people around us might be thinking or feeling. For children, this capacity is still developing, and it grows best within a safe, attuned relationship. Art-making offers a gentle, non-verbal bridge into this process: an image can hold a feeling before a word can, and from there, together, we can begin to notice, name, and make sense of what's going on inside.

School stress, anxiety & low mood

Children often show anxiety or low mood differently than adults. Instead of naming emotions, it may appear as school refusal, tummy aches, irritability, clinginess, sleep changes, perfectionism, withdrawal, or "meltdowns" after holding it together all day. Mentalising helps a child move from being overwhelmed by a feeling to being able to think about it.

Child painting, exploring feelings through colour
Art as a bridge to reflection

Making marks, colours, and images gives a feeling somewhere to land before it can be put into words. From there, we can slow down together and gently wonder what the image might be holding β€” building the pause between feeling and reacting.

Therapist and child looking together at artwork
Growing the capacity to mentalise

Through curious, non-judgemental conversation about what's been made, children practise noticing their own thoughts and feelings, and start to imagine what others might be thinking too. This skill supports friendships, family life, and emotional resilience.

Boy laughing, feeling safe and at ease
A secure relationship as the container

Mentalising develops best inside a relationship that feels safe, warm, and attuned. I work at each child's pace, staying close to their experience and their sense of humour, so the therapeutic relationship itself becomes a steady base for exploring difficult feelings.

Hands working with art materials, clay and paint
Regulation through the creative process

The sensory, hands-on nature of art materials helps settle an overwhelmed nervous system. A calmer body makes mentalising possible. When a child feels too flooded to think, we focus first on settling, and return to reflection once they feel ready.

Therapy for Children
and Adolescents

Supporting emotional development through creative and trauma-informed therapies in Wexford, Ireland.

Child therapy in Wexford. Play therapy and somatic therapy for children with anxiety, emotional difficulties, trauma, and behavioural challenges. Support for children and families in Wexford and online across Ireland.

What Parents Say

Anonymous feedback shared with identifying details removed.

Our child had delayed development and showed autistic traits. Before therapy, their engagement was mostly repetitive and lacked flexibility or spontaneity. Now there’s a clear sense of rhythm in their voice, and their creativity and range of expression have noticeably grown.

Most importantly, our attachment has become much healthier. Our child used to avoid me constantly, but there is much more closeness and connection now. Through parent consultations, I also learned how to regulate my own emotions β€” I can tolerate frustration and anger far better than before.

Parent A

My child struggled to engage with other children, got angry very easily, and often showed challenging behaviours.

After starting sessions with Paul, they now join in with other kids and interact much more positively. There are almost no behavioural issues with friends anymore. Honestly, it still feels a bit surprising β€” in a good way.

Parent B

Our child has become brighter and more confident. They’ve started showing genuine interest in learning, and their focus and concentration have improved significantly.

Parent C

My child used to fight with classmates, had no friends, and constantly argued with teachers. Through sessions with Paul, they’ve begun to make friends, and they’re slowly learning emotional regulation step by step.

Parent D
HCPC registered therapist BAAT member