Building Bonds through Theraplay

At 30, Kara* has faced more than her fair share of challenges. With her son back in her care, Kara’s journey is a true testament to her strength and determination. 

Kara’s 7-year-old son, Alex*, was taken from her due to her past struggles with addiction and went to live with his father’s family. Determined to turn her life around, Kara overcame her addiction and worked hard to regain custody of Alex.

Her past relationship with Alex’s father was difficult and unstable, leaving both Kara and Alex with deep emotional scars. Despite Alex’s father being in and out of his life, Kara was committed to creating a safe and loving home.

Navigating uncertainty together 

After being separated from Mum, Alex had big emotional outbursts, and Kara found it challenging knowing how to best handle them.

She worried about how others might judge her parenting and wanted to make sure Alex felt happy at home.

To help Alex with his feelings and strengthen their bond, Kara enrolled him in the Seasons for Growth programme.

This helped Alex understand and express his emotions and connect with other kids who had experienced similar family changes.

Kara and Alex also took part in Theraplay-informed sessions, which are designed to strengthen their relationship through engaging activities and positive interactions.

These sessions helped Kara to feel more confident as a parent, managing Alex’s emotional outbursts better, and rebuilding their connection.

Kara shared, “I didn’t know how to support him before. Now I can meet him in the moment.” She’s now using these new skills at home, saying, “I feel calm now when he gets upset.”

Rebuilding their bond stronger

Alex has started recognising his emotions and managing his outbursts, with noticeable improvements reported by his school and family. Theraplay gave Kara the tools to boost her confidence and re-establish boundaries with Alex.

“Initially, I wasn’t sure why Theraplay was recommended. Now, I’m amazed at how much these sessions have helped my son manage his feelings better, and also how I can better respond to his big feelings” says Kara. She encourages others to explore Theraplay and reminds people that seeking help during tough times is perfectly okay.

“It’s heartwarming to see how much they’ve both grown and how their relationship has strengthened. Kara’s commitment to her family is making a big difference in their lives.” Ava*, our Social Worker noted.

Kara’s journey is far from over, but with support and determination, she is building a brighter future for herself and her children. She continues to work hard to provide a stable and loving home for Alex, and her progress is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

*To respect and protect privacy, names and images have been changed.