Life Stories
Children and young people who have been removed from the care of their birth families, and who often experience further disruption moving between multiple care givers, can have a fragmented and confused understanding of their life journeys. Knowing and being able to tell our own life story is an important indicator for good mental health and when this is missing, children can lack a sense of belonging and security.
Once children are removed from an environment of significant harm, they are not always provided with the opportunity to process the trauma they have suffered: the impact of the trauma can therefore remain ‘present’ by continuing to influence the young person’s social and emotional responses and wellbeing. Therapeutic Life Story Work helps the young person to understand how are early experiences can shape our understanding of ourselves, others and the world around us, and to safely consider new alternatives for the future.
Therapeutic Life Story Work
An Evidenced-Based Model
Pioneered by Richard Rose (2012), this model of Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW) is the first to be subject to independent research and validated as an evidenced based narrative model that has excellent outcomes for traumatised children, young people, and adults.
Therapeutic Life Story Work offers children and young people the opportunity to explore their life story and family origins, ask questions and make sense of their past experiences. The therapeutic approach provides them with a safe space to express their emotions and understand how past experiences can impact current thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
Unlike traditional models of Life Story Work, TLSW is a creative and collaborative approach designed to strengthen the relationship between the child and their parent/carer: the child and carer work together with the therapist throughout the process
Time to Deepen Attachment and to Process
Typically, this intervention takes place over a 9-to-12-month period. The sessions are one hour long and take place on a fortnightly basis. There are approximately 18 direct sessions before the final book is compiled, edited, and completed.
Time is given between sessions, and following sessions whilst the book is being compiled, for the young person and their carer to further explore the material together, strengthen their relationship, and allow for consolidation of the therapeutic process.
The direct work sessions are delivered at the Waymaker Studio.
The TLSW Process Involves Three Stages:
The Information Bank: Prior to the sessions, the therapist gathers historical information to provide an in-depth history about the child pre- and post- birth, then assembles and collates the information gathered. Careful consideration is given to what is safe and helpful for the child to know, and what the child may want to know.
Internalisation: This takes place in the therapeutic sessions with the child and their carer. The life story narrative is gradually explored, bringing together the child’s recollections and understanding together with the narrative that the therapist has researched. The child is supported to develop a holistic view of their life and relationships, and to externalise their thoughts and feelings. The process provides a review of the child’s beliefs about themselves, others, and the world around them. Exploring the story can help us to see different perspectives, recognise alternatives, and find new possibilities for the future.
The Life Story Book: the creative work developed in the direct sessions is collated and gradually compiled into the life story book. The child or young person is given time to develop their own life story book, and to decide what is included as a representation for others to see. The additional time given to this, allows for further processing of the information, supported by the carer.