Innovative Therapeutic Life Story Work
Developing Trauma-Informed Practice for Working with Children, Adolescents and Young Adults
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Life story work is an approach designed to enable traumatized children to explore, question and understand the past events of their lives. It aims to secure their future by strengthening attachment with their carers and providing the opportunity to develop a healthy sense of self and a feeling of wellbeing.
This new edited volume documents innovative ways in which life story work has been developed. It draws on the work of nine life story centres based around the world and provides understanding and guidance for those working with children who have experienced trauma. The book illustrates current theory and practice and looks at how the approach is being used in a variety of settings including schools, intensive services, youth justice, and post-adoption support, highlighting its versatility. The importance of trauma-informed practice when working with vulnerable children is emphasised throughout, to help practitioners provide the best for the children in their care.
This new edited volume documents innovative ways in which life story work has been developed. It draws on the work of nine life story centres based around the world and provides understanding and guidance for those working with children who have experienced trauma. The book illustrates current theory and practice and looks at how the approach is being used in a variety of settings including schools, intensive services, youth justice, and post-adoption support, highlighting its versatility. The importance of trauma-informed practice when working with vulnerable children is emphasised throughout, to help practitioners provide the best for the children in their care.
- Published: Jul 21 2017
- Pages: 336
- 228 x 150mm
- ISBN: 9781785921858
Press Reviews
Dr Margot Sunderland Director of Education and Training, The Centre for Child Mental Health London
Innovative therapeutic life story work explores a highly creative way of working, safely, compassionately and effectively with the most painful aspects of children's life stories. It is a must for any child professional wanting to help traumatised children make sense of their lives, and see the connection between what has happened to them in the past and how they experience themselves and others now. Through moving case material and a wealth of practical ideas, practitioners from all over the world, convey the child's sheer relief at having at last found their voice and established a coherent narrative for their lives.
Annette Jackson - Regional Director Berry Street Gippsland, Australia (Adj Assoc Professor La Trobe University)
This latest book by Richard Rose and colleagues reflects the essence of therapeutic life story work, whereby the worker holds out one hand to the child and the other hand to the carer and says to the child 'show us your world.' Something very special happens when a child takes your hand in trust when crossing the road and this is a tough road to cross. In this book, Richard and colleagues show us the world of therapeutic life story work and what it looks, feels and sounds like, so we too can help children make this journey of discovery.
Trisha Packer, counsellor and supervisor
BACP - Children, Young people & familiesMy initial hope - that I would be able to learn from this book about how life story work is best used - has definitely been fulfilled. But, in addition to that, where young people have not had the opportunity to write their life stories, in a way that is meaningful to them, I can now confidently help them to work through this process and gain deeper insight. I would recommend this book to anyone working with young people who may have experienced some form of trauma and now seek to understand this more fully.
Catherine Mullin, Independent Social Worker
Seen and HeardI recommend this comprehensive study as essential reading for practitioners across the world working with children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences and very commonly experience feelings of self-blame and shame. Readers will discover a richness of experience and resources to assist them, understand and develop their practice to help children.'Explore the past, secure the present and allow for growth in the future'. (P 25)