Anne-marie O’Riordan

Anne-marie O’Riordan is an accredited Play Therapist and tutor on Portobello Institute’s QQI Level 6 Minor Award in Therapeutic Play Skills, bringing approximately 10 years of professional experience in play therapy, child development, emotional wellbeing, and family support. Alongside lecturing, she runs a successful private play therapy practice in Wicklow.

Industry Experience & Career Outcomes

• Accredited Play Therapist with close to a decade of experience
• Founder and practitioner at Play Therapy Wicklow, working directly with children and families
• Specialist expertise in therapeutic play, emotional attunement, observation, regulation, and reflective practice to support children’s emotional and behavioural development

Anne-marie’s Pathway in Play Therapy

Anne-marie’s connection with Portobello Institute began in 2002 when she qualified as a Montessori Teacher. After gaining experience in education, she returned to study as a mature student, completing a Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma in Play Therapy at the University of Galway.

“I had a desire to help more with children’s emotional and behavioural development,” says Anne-marie. “I believe that education helps link theory to practice and understand why specific approaches help a child or family.”

Teaching and Supporting Students

Anne-marie describes her teaching style as experiential, reflective, and grounded in real clinical practice. She helps students move beyond theory into practical application through structured triad exercises, where learners take on the roles of a child, therapist, and observer using real-world clinical scenarios.

She explains: “I help students apply their learning in a realistic way. I emphasise reflection, emotional attunement, and tolerance for uncertainty, encouraging them to think deeply about the meaning of play rather than rushing to interpret or direct it.

“I also draw on anonymised examples from my own practice to connect theory with reality, modelling a calm, containing, and relational approach that supports students in developing both their skills and their professional identity.”

This approach is particularly relevant for SNAs, early years educators, and teachers as Anne-marie shows how therapeutic play principles can be used within everyday educational and classroom settings.

Students develop transferable skills in observation, emotional attunement, communication, and reflective thinking, supporting them to apply therapeutic play skills with confidence in their own professional contexts.

Why Portobello Institute

Anne-marie was attracted to teaching at Portobello Institute because of its focus on practical, vocational learning and professional development.

“Portobello prepares students for real-world roles in education and care settings,” she says. “I value the opportunity to bring my experience as a play therapist into a context where theory is closely linked to practice.”

This emphasis on accessible, reflective, and career-focused education aligns closely with Anne-marie’s own teaching approach, supporting students to build confidence, develop applied skills, and use therapeutic play principles meaningfully in their work with children.

Explore Therapeutic Play Skills at Portobello Institute

If you’re interested in learning more about Portobello Institute’s Therapeutic Play Skills short online course, view the full programme details here.