Like a treasure chest, this resource overflows with valuable resources – information, ideas and techniques to inspire and support those working with children who have experienced relational and developmental trauma.

Drawing on a range of therapeutic models including systemic, psychodynamic, trauma, sensory, neurobiological, neurocognitive, attachment, cognitive behavioural, and creative ideas, Dr Karen Treisman explains how we understand trauma and its impact on children, teens and their families. She details how it can be seen in symptoms such as nightmares, sleeping difficulties, emotional dysregulation, rage, and outbursts.

Theory and strategies are accompanied by a treasure trove of practical, creative, and ready-to-use resources including over 100 illustrated worksheets and handouts, top tips, recommended sample questions, and photographed examples.

Suitable for: Mental health professionals including counsellors, therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers who work with or are involved with looked-after, adopted, or unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and any other children in need.

Contents:

• 1. Introduction to Using the Book, Guiding Principles, and Underpinning Rationale.
• 2. Tools for Supporting the Assessment, Engagement, and Building Rapport with Young People.
• 3. Working Towards Establishing Multi-Levelled Safety (Inner Safety, Emotional Safety, Physical Safety, Felt Safety).
• 4. Strategies for Supporting Children who have Experienced Relational and Developmental Trauma to Identify, Label, Express, and Regulate their Feelings.
• 5. Strength, Resilience, and Hope-Based Practices: Finding Ways to Identify, Notice, Celebrate and Build on Children’s Strengths, Skills, Resilience and Positive Qualities.
• 6. Strengthening and Supporting “Parent-Child” Relationships, Relational Trust, and Interpersonal Connections.
• 7. Team Around the Family- Caring for the Caring- Holding Carers in Safe Hands, Thinking Minds, and Regulating Bodies.
• 8. Strategies for Understanding, Reducing and Managing Outbursts, Tantrums, Rage, and Expressions of Dysregulation.
• 9. Supporting Children who are Experiencing Nightmares and Sleep Difficulties.
• 10. Preparing, Planning, Reflecting on, and Expressing Endings, Changes, Goodbyes, and Transitions.

Author Bio:

Dr Karen Treisman is a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist who has worked in the NHS and children’s services for ten years. She has also worked cross-culturally in Africa and Asia, with groups ranging from former child soldiers to survivors of the Rwandan Genocide. Karen has extensive experience in the areas of trauma, parenting, and attachment, and works clinically using a range of therapeutic approaches with families, children and young people. She is the director of Safe Hands and Thinking Minds Psychological Services (www.safehandsthinkingminds.co.uk), and is an external consultant and trainer to Barnardos, PAC-UK, Hope for families, and the Fostering Network. Karen has worked in several Looked after Children teams and within the National Implementation Service for evidence-based interventions at the Maudsley Hospital. She currently works as Clinical Lead in a court assessment and intensive parenting intervention team in Islington.

Review:

Overflowing with creative ideas and activities, the thing that makes this resource especially valuable is its sensitivity to the ever-present need for safe containment when using intervention. The author gently prompts our awareness of how creative ways of working can provide safe access to the treasures within, for the children so often hardest to reach. Logically organised and indexed, each section is held together by well-written, informative insights.