In paediatric occupational therapy, connection is often the most powerful tool we have. Relational therapy shifts the focus away from simply “fixing” skills and toward nurturing the therapeutic relationship itself—because children grow best in safe, attuned, and emotionally responsive spaces.

Relational approaches in OT honour the idea that regulation, trust, and capacity develop through co-regulation and felt safety. Whether we're working on sensory integration, emotional regulation, or functional independence, we’re also building a foundation of connection—one that helps a child feel seen, safe, and capable.

This is especially important for children with trauma histories, neurodivergence, or difficulty navigating social and emotional cues. A relational lens means the therapist isn't just assessing behaviours but tuning into the why behind them—responding with curiosity, empathy, and consistency.

At its core, relational therapy reminds us: the relationship is the intervention.

We often hear about helping kids learn to self-regulate but the truth is regulation doesn’t start alone. It begins through relationship.

When your child is overwhelmed, upset, or full of energy they are not trying to be difficult. Their nervous system is asking for help and the most powerful support we can give is often simply being there with them.

This post is about co-regulation — how we help kids feel safe enough to calm down by the way we show up with our tone, presence, and patience when things get tough.

Kids don’t learn to calm down because we tell them to. They learn it because we show them how it feels when we are with them.