TRAUMA THERAPY
Trauma-informed support for children, adolescents and young adults
TRAUMA-INFORMED SUPPORT
A common belief is that trauma therapy must involve an individual talking about, remembering or reliving what happened to them. In reality, this is not how healing begins, and for many children, adolescents and young adults it is neither appropriate nor helpful early on.
A trauma-informed approach recognises that people need safety, connection and regulation long before they are ready to process difficult experiences. Healing often begins through consistent, attuned relationships with trusted adults, helping the nervous system experience safety again.
Trauma work at this stage does not require knowing every detail of a child’s past. Many traumatic experiences happen before a child has words or memories. This approach helps children, adolescents and young adults understand that their behaviours, reactions and moments of dysregulation have been resourceful survival responses. With the right support, these responses.
WHAT TRAUMA-INFORMED SESSIONS LOOK LIKE
The early focus is often stabilisation, helping each person feel regulated internally and supported externally at home and school. For some, this alone brings meaningful change.
During this phase, sessions may draw on play, creative approaches, talking therapy, psychoeducation and body-based tools, depending on age, preferences and individual needs.
WHEN IS SOMEONE READY FOR TRAUMA PROCESSING?
Deeper trauma work only begins when a person has enough safety, stability and emotional capacity to explore difficult experiences without becoming overwhelmed. This gradually develops through relationship, trust and regulation.
Signs may include:
– Feeling safe, grounded and connected within the therapeutic relationship
– Being able to return to calm with support after moments of stress
– Having consistent routines and predictable support at home and school
– Talking about feelings, sensations or memories without becoming overwhelmed
– Showing curiosity about understanding thoughts and experiences
– Demonstrating growing stability in day-to-day life
EVERYONE REACHES THIS STAGE AT THEIR OWN PACE
Some children and young people benefit most from stabilisation and relational support, while others move into deeper work when the time is right.
Trauma processing is always paced gently, collaboratively and in a way that honours each young person’s individual readiness and resilience.
TRAUMA PROCESSING APPROACHES
When trauma processing is appropriate, the approaches used are carefully chosen to suit the individual’s age, experiences and readiness.
CREATIVE, PLAY-BASED AND LIFE STORY TRAUMA WORK
This approach uses art, sand, symbolic play, storytelling and life story work to help children explore their experiences in a safe and contained way. These methods give young people the language, images and metaphors they need to make sense of their story without becoming overwhelmed, allowing them to process feelings at a pace that feels right for them.
SOMATIC TRAUMA THERAPY
Helping the body release tension and recognise sensations, supporting grounding and a sense of internal safety. This work focuses on increasing awareness of the nervous system and developing practical regulation strategies, always at a pace that feels safe and manageable.y.
KIND WORDS
Ashleigh has worked with my 2 foster children for sometime now and has really helped both of them. Both had suffered from trauma, and Ashleigh has helped them both to make sense of their lives. Ashleigh has also been extremely insightful with tips and advice for myself.
Ashleigh worked with my son through play therapy, during a key stage in his early development, while he endured the separation of his parents. Through dedication, kindness, fun and love Ashleigh was able to guide him to open up, expressing his thoughts, feelings and pain. I am so grateful for her input. My son is now 8yo, happy, social, very playful and energetic. I know his inner balance has a lot to do with her work. Thank you so much!
Absolutely amazing therapy service. Ashleigh was very supportive, definitely helped rebuild their self confidence and bring them back to their old self. They still talk about how her therapy sessions helped a year on. Highly recommend.