Having been a foster carer for 8 years and then working in Young Peoples Residential Units, I have had a lot of training relating to the specific challenges that children in care face, and of the issues that the people caring for them often face.
The invaluable experience that this has given me has enabled me to tailor my services to be able to give specific support to these two areas: LAC Children and LAC Carers.
A safe and confidential space...
I am able to support looked-after children in two specific areas :
- Emotional Coaching
- Adverse Childhood Trauma
Emotional coaching is so important in filling the emotional gaps that being in care often gives children. Whether it be neglect, abuse, or attachment issues, emotional stability and learning is always affected. I work with the children and carers to identify the issues and to put in plans to help the LAC become more emotionally resilient. I only work on a oneto-one basis, as I believe that the LAC deserve a safe and confidential space to express their inner most thoughts and to not be judged – which can often happen if group therapy is done. Just filling
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) are becoming a focus for further studies as the evidence shows us the ongoing negative effect these things have on young people both now and through into their adult lives. Further information on ACE’s can be found below if you would like more detail.
The solution of adult problems tomorrow depends in large measure upon the way our children grow up today.
ACE’s provide toxic stress to young people which can disrupt the development of neural circuits in the brain in early childhood. High levels of stress hormones can suppress the body’s immune system and impact physical health, and sustained high levels of cortisol can damage the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for memory and learning. We need to be ensuring that we provide solutions to this. You may recognize the following issues in your LAC that will result from adverse childhood experiences:
Biologically
Problems with movement and sensation, hypersensitivity to physical contact, difficulty with balance and coordination.
Physically
Stomach problems, fast heart rates, difficulty sleeping..
Socially
Relationships can be characterised by boundary problems or distrust. They can have difficulty empathising with others.
Intellectually
Trouble focusing, completing tasks, understanding their part in what happens to them, learning difficulties.
Emotionally
Difficulty regulating mood, knowing their feelings, low self-esteem, not a clear sense of self.
Behaviourally
Poor impulse control, aggression, becomes passive and fearful, have a heightened awareness of potential dangers..
How we can help…
Utilising a combination of therapies to resolve these issues is something we are really passionate about. We can help these children release the stress and trauma to allow their systems to heal and learn more positive, healthy ways of being. The therapies are mostly content free so the young people can minimise their fear and stress levels, and we ensure that they feel safe in all that we do.
Please call or message us for further information on these services, to see how we can change young people’s lives from fear and negativity, to positive, healthy, emotionally stable people, educated with mental tools to help themselves in the future.
Carers & Support Staff
Therapy for Thinking offer one-to-one and group sessions for carers and support staff alike to help combat the stress and anxiety that can build up when looking after young people in care. Having been in their position and understanding the frustrations and secondary trauma that often come with these responsibilities, we can help with specific topics should they be needed.
Understanding and dealing with young people that have had adverse childhood experiences is often confusing, as their reaction to life can be very random, so carers need information, coping techniques and self-care options to keep themselves safe and well. We offer half-day sessions with ACE information, relaxation techniques, stress busters and question & answer sessions. These are as fun and lighthearted as we can make them as a break from the daily routines of support.
Pricing will vary depending on what you would like included in the course, so please call or send us a message regarding what you would like to achieve with the session and who ideally will be attending, and we will send you through some options.