At PolyPlay Therapy, every detail in our logo tells a story of love, trust, and transformation.
✨ The rainbow represents hope, beauty, and the endless possibilities of growth—because every child deserves a future filled with light.
🧠 The three curved lines symbolise the three key parts of the brain, showing how play therapy nurtures emotional and neurological development.
🤲 The larger figure embracing the child embodies co-regulation, the deep connection where children feel safe, accepted, and truly seen.
💖 The tiny heart within the child reflects healing, love, and the power of feeling deeply cared for.
At the heart of it all is relationship—because healing happens through connection. Through play, we create spaces where children feel secure, understood, and empowered to thrive.
'Safety is the Treatment' - Bonnie Badenoch
Understanding the Importance of 'Safety'
Understanding the Importance of 'Safety'
Understanding the Importance of 'Safety'
At PolyPlay Therapy Hub, we believe creating a safe and nurturing space is the foundation for meaningful growth and healing through play.
In Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, safety is defined by feelings rather than simply the absence of threats. For an individual to feel safe, the nervous system must detect safety cues t
At PolyPlay Therapy Hub, we believe creating a safe and nurturing space is the foundation for meaningful growth and healing through play.
In Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, safety is defined by feelings rather than simply the absence of threats. For an individual to feel safe, the nervous system must detect safety cues through a process called neuroception. Additionally, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) must not be in a defensive state (sometimes it is known as 'fight/flight/freeze'), and the social engagement system (SES) needs to be activated.
When safety is perceived, the social engagement system (SES) is engaged to facilitate communication through facial expressions, voice, and head movements. This enhances our ability to regulate emotions, solve problems, and connect with others. This 'face-heart connection' supports prosocial behaviours essential for effective communication.
Understanding the Window of Tolerance
Understanding the Importance of 'Safety'
Understanding the Importance of 'Safety'
Developed by Daniel Siegel, a clinical professor of psychiatry, the window of tolerance represents the optimal arousal zone for regulating emotions.
Outside this window, the nervous system shifts into fight/flight or freeze states, disrupting emotional regulation and social connection.
Within the window, the social engagement system (SES)
Developed by Daniel Siegel, a clinical professor of psychiatry, the window of tolerance represents the optimal arousal zone for regulating emotions.
Outside this window, the nervous system shifts into fight/flight or freeze states, disrupting emotional regulation and social connection.
Within the window, the social engagement system (SES) activates, enabling effective emotional control, problem-solving, and meaningful interactions.
Our goal at PolyPlay is to help children develop and grow through an optimal state of being where intense emotions, calmness, and relaxation can be balanced, endured and integrated in a healthy way.
Understanding the Brain development
Understanding the Importance of 'Safety'
Understanding the Brain development
Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model of brain development highlights how the brain grows and organizes sequentially, starting from the brainstem (responsible for survival functions like breathing and heart rate) to the limbic system (which regulates emotions and memory) and finally to the cortex (where higher-order thinking occurs). In
Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model of brain development highlights how the brain grows and organizes sequentially, starting from the brainstem (responsible for survival functions like breathing and heart rate) to the limbic system (which regulates emotions and memory) and finally to the cortex (where higher-order thinking occurs). In early childhood, experiences and relationships significantly influence this development, shaping the child’s capacity to regulate emotions, build resilience, and engage in social interactions.
Play therapy aligns with this understanding by targeting the brain in a developmentally appropriate way. Through repetitive and patterned play activities, such as sensory play or pretend play, children stimulate the brainstem and limbic system, promoting a sense of safety and emotional regulation. For example, rhythmic activities in play can help soothe the stress response system (fight-flight-freeze) governed by the amygdala, paving the way for the cortex to engage in problem-solving and creative thinking.
In a safe and nurturing play therapy environment, children are encouraged to process their emotions and experiences at their own pace. This fosters neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new connections—helping them heal from stress or trauma and develop healthier emotional responses. By engaging both lower and higher brain functions through play, children strengthen their ability to navigate challenges, regulate their emotions, and build meaningful relationships. Play therapy, guided by neuroscience, empowers children to grow holistically, addressing their unique developmental needs in a way that is both therapeutic and fun.
