Here at Laois Play Therapy, we support children (ages 3 to 12) and their families during different child development stages. Our compassionate and mindful approach enables us to engage fully with children, allowing them to open up in a safe and trusting environment.
Our ethos as therapists is to meet the child at their developmental stage and guide them through with compassion and understanding.
Aisling Murray – Play Therapist
Hi, my name is Aisling, and I am the owner and founder of Laois Play Therapy. I have a B.A. in Montessori Teaching and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy. I have worked with children for over 15 years. I also have qualifications in Childcare, Social Care, and Business Management. I am registered with Play Therapy UK (PTUK) and Play Therapy Ireland (PTIre).
After completing my degree with St Nicholas’s Montessori College, I worked in Montessori Schools and creche’s for over ten years. During that time, I found myself analysing children’s behaviour. The observations I made sparked my interest in behavioural psychology. I wanted to understand how external forces can shape a child’s personality and behaviour. In short, I wanted to know how the child’s brain worked.
I began training as a Play Therapist in 2014. During that time, I looked at my childhood. I revisited events that I had almost forgotten. These memories created a heightened awareness of my own emotions and explained a lot about my grown-up self. By analysing myself in this way, I developed an abundance of empathy, allowing me to understand more and judge less.
Since graduating, I have continued my development by attending workshops on psychology and play therapy. I believe it is vital for a professional therapist to stay up-to-date in recent research in the field. I also maintain daily meditation and annual seminars on mindfulness. I find these help me stay grounded and maintain a state of calm, which is essential when working with children.
Emma Brady – Trainee Play Therapist
Emma has recently completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy from Play Therapy International and is completing her accredited hours with us, here, at Laois Play Therapy.
Emma’s primary degree was a BA in Contemporary Culture and Society from Dublin City University but later decided to complete a Level 6 Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Montessori Pedagogy from the Portobello Institute.
Emma has worked with children in preschools, Montessori, and after-school care in Kildare and Cork for the last seven years.
Simone Hallam -Trainee Play Therapist
Introducing Simone Hallam.
Simone joined Laois Play Therapy in December 2020 and is currently studying for a Post-Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy.
Simone has two undergraduate degrees: a BA in Social Science and Psychology Studies and a BA in Early Childhood Studies where she achieved a first-class honour. Simone also has a Montessori Diploma in Early Childhood Studies.
Simone has worked with children for over 13 years and has worked as a Montessori and TEFL teacher worldwide, including Taiwan, South Africa, and Ireland.
Also available at Inspiring Minds Learning Centre is,
Róisín Tobin – See You See Me: Therapeutic Play Services
Róisín is a certified play therapist and is the owner of ‘See You See Me: Therapeutic Play Services‘ which is partnered with Laois Play Therapy within the Inspiring Minds Learning Centre.
Róisín has a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Development and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy. Róisín also has a Post-Graduate Level 1 in Theraplay from the Theraplay Institute and is registered with Play Therapy Ireland (PTIre) and The Academy of Play and Child Psychology.
Róisín has been working with children for over ten years. She offers individual play therapy for children and ‘Theraplay’ therapy for children and their caregivers.
For a free phone consultation call Róisín on: 085 271 9691