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Theraputic Life Story Work

London based Life Story Worker helping children heal from trauma through play

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What I Do

Therapeutic Life Story work is a defined approach pioneered by Richard Rose which provides the opportunity for children to explore their history and the wider history of their family.

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As a Therapeutic Life Story Worker I involve the parent/carer in the exploration of their child’s journey where we can explore first-hand the perceptions and misperceptions of the child, providing a unique opportunity for both to attune to each other, therefore strengthening their bond.

This is the most important element of the intervention and is all about helping both the child and parent/carer to ‘make sense’.

Therapeutic Life Story Work is, of course, about identity but also it is about meaning – as the child gains a deeper understanding

and acceptance of their own life narrative the way they see themselves can also change helping them to thrive.

If children are not helped to make sense of and understand the trauma/loss that they have experienced, it is known that they carry this around with them, unresolved forever.  This preoccupation of things that they cannot make sense of often makes it difficult for a traumatised child to function ordinarily and especially, to concentrate within a school setting.

As a Therapeutic Life Story Worker I involve the parent/carer in the exploration of their child’s journey where we can explore first-hand the perceptions and misperceptions of the child, providing a unique opportunity for both to attune to each other, therefore strengthening their bond.

This is the most important element of the intervention and is all about helping both the child and parent/carer to ‘make sense’.

Therapeutic Life Story Work is, of course, about identity but also it is about meaning – as the child gains a deeper understanding and acceptance of their own life narrative the way they see themselves can also change helping them to thrive.

If children are not helped to make sense of and understand the trauma/loss that they have experienced, it is known that they carry this around with them, unresolved forever.  This preoccupation of things that they cannot make sense of often makes it difficult for a traumatised child to function ordinarily and especially, to concentrate within a school setting.

The Process

Stage 1

The information bank – collating information from many sources depending on the child’s history but including adoption/LAC social worker files, interviews, physical evidence, to enable the worker to consider the child’s internal working model and attachment issues.

person holding blue and red paper
girl's left hand wrap around toddler while reading book during golden hour

Stage 2

Internalisation – the child is encouraged to externalise thoughts, feelings and emotions; all explored and recorded on wallpaper.  The aim is for the child to reach an acceptance of who she / he is, and an understanding that they have the power to shape who they can be.  This is always done alongside the adoptive parent or carer, and usually equates to approximately 12-18 sessions. It includes sharing life story information agreed with the parent and carer before each session.

Stage 3

Producing the Life Story Book – contains the information recorded on the wallpaper, which has been internalised by the child.  The child decides what is included as a representation for others to see.  The therapist is the writer, the parent/ carer, is the proof reader and the child is the editor in chief.

person holding pink and white heart print paper

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