How to help children and teenagers tell their story so that a new coherent narrative can emerge

Dr Dan Hughes presents 'How to help children and teenagers tell their story so that a new coherent narrative can emerge'

Children and teenagers who’ve experienced trauma, loss, rejection, neglect and betrayal struggle to make sense of what’s happened to them. Their experiences remain fragmented, confusing and emotionally overwhelming.

And when there’s been abuse by parent figures, many move into betrayal blindness, blaming themselves for the cruel acts they’ve suffered. All this leaves them with an incoherent story about their lives. The fallout of this manifests in anxiety, anger, withdrawal, challenging behaviour, self-hate, relationship problems and sometimes suicidal despair.

In this very moving and practical training day, Dr Dan Hughes will explore how emotionally available adults can help children and teenagers gradually tell their story in ways that are safe, manageable and healing. Drawing on attachment theory, interpersonal neuroscience and decades of his therapeutic work with children and parents, Dan will demonstrate how PACE (playful engagement, acceptance, curiosity, empathy) can create the conditions in which young people begin to reflect on their experiences and develop a more integrated sense of self.

What you will gain from attending:

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of why traumatic memories are so often difficult to access and articulate, how emotional safety makes it safe enough to talk so that what is shareable becomes bearable, and how collaborative storytelling fosters self-compassion and psychological healing.

Who should attend:

Counsellors, teachers, pastoral staff, foster carers, adopters, therapists, social workers, and all professionals supporting children and young people who’ve experienced trauma.

Refunds:

• Cancellations made by delegates within 30 days of the event are non-refundable.
• If you're no longer able to attend, you’re welcome to transfer your place to another person at no additional cost by letting us know in advance of the event.
• In the unlikely event that we need to cancel, postpone, or make a material change to the event, you will be offered a full refund or the option to transfer your place to a future event.
• Unfortunately, we’re unable to consider refund requests submitted after the event where a delegate has not attended for attendee‑related reasons.