Training Workshops

We offer a range of training workshops suitable for parents, carers and qualified mental health professionals (including social workers, foster carers, residential care workers, health visitors, GPs and teachers), covering all manner of subjects related to Child Psychology and supporting children’s development and mental health, such as:

  • Attachment and Brain Development
  • Talking to Children about Difficult Things
  • Understanding ADHD
  • Developmental Trauma
  • Links between ADHD presentations and Attachment
  • Links between Autistic presentations and Attachment
  • Non-Violent Resistance
  • Therapeutic Parenting

Further information on our more regular and very popular workshops are listed below. If you or your organisation are interested in exploring any of the topics above in further detail, or on any other topic relating to child psychology please get in touch to discuss your needs.

PLEASE NOTE: we are currently at full capacity for new contracts related to Residential enquiries. We are actively recruiting to keep up with demand and expect to have availability later this year. We have limited capacity for Consultations. In the meantime, please do get in touch with us if there is anything urgent you would like to discuss further.

Empathic Behaviour Management (EBM)

When managing difficult behaviour in children, adults are usually drawn to rewards and consequences, after all this is what society, through tv, schools etc, it’s the most common way of doing things. However, this does not work for all children, particularly those that may have difficulties in their early days/months/years.

Empathic Behaviour Management (EBM) is a relationship and emotion based approach to supporting children who may have experienced developmental trauma. It focuses on the internal experiences of children and young people. We will think about how we can use an understanding of emotional regulation, trauma memory, shame and brain development to better connect with our children.

We encourage adults to be gentle with themselves and exercise self-acceptance and curiosity in their dealings with traumatised children.

Within this one-day workshop, delegates will learn:

  • To understand the temptations and challenges of Reward-Punishment Thinking.
  • To have an overview of Attachment Styles and how they are formed.
  • To understand the theoretical base of EBM.
  • How to apply EBM to real life.

Introduction to Attachment & Trauma

Children who have experienced trauma (abuse, neglect and/or illness) in their early days, months and/or years can develop difficulties in many areas. This can take the form of rage outbursts, shutting off, difficulty getting on with adults and peers etc.

Many children who experience developmental and relational trauma also struggle to access learning and engage in the social environment at school. Often children who have missed out on such a lot early on do not respond well to typical behaviour management strategies.

It can therefore be incredibly difficult for people supporting these children to understand the best ways to help them to better engage with relationships, ‘normal’ home life and learning.

Overview workshop – Introduction to Attachment

Within the two hour overview workshop, delegates will learn:

  • The impact of childhood adversity and trauma on physical development, brain development, emotional, social and cognitive development.
  • The impact of pervasive levels of shame.
  • How attachment might present in the home/classroom/clinic and how you can respond.

Applied workshop – Introduction to Attachment incl. practical strategies & discussion

Within the three-hour workshop, there will be more opportunities for reflection, discussion and activities to deepen understanding of attachment and trauma, with additional time to reflect on how to support the children you care for/work with. We will cover:

  • The impact of childhood adversity and trauma on physical development, brain development, emotional, social and cognitive development.
  • The impact of pervasive levels of shame.
  • Empathic behaviour management strategies to supporting children with attachment difficulties.
  • An introduction to Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy (PACE) as an ethos to supporting children with attachment difficulties.
  • How fear presents in children and what staff can do to support children who are in a state of fear.
  • How attachment might present in the home/classroom/clinic and how you can respond.

We offer more extensive training on Attachment and Trauma, for example, our one day and four day EBM packages. Get in touch for more details.

Self Harm and Suicidal Thoughts

Self-harm and suicide in children and young people are hugely distressing issues for everyone whose life they touch. They are scary and it’s incredibly hard to think about how to handle these issues for the best. The emotions they stir in us can often mean knowing what to do in the moment is even tougher.

Our two hour workshop for parents and professionals will help you think about why children and young people turn to self-harm. We will offer support and practical advice so you can go away feeling more confident and empowered to keep your child as safe as you can.

Our two hour workshop for parents and professionals is a brief overview, that will help:

  • Possible reasons behind self-harm and suicidal ideation in children and young people.
  • Information on causes, effects and current research on self-harm and suicidal ideation.
  • How to identify the warning signs and assess the risk of self-harm and suicidal ideation.
  • Strategies on how to support children and young people who turn to self-harm and have suicidal thoughts.

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

FASD is the leading cause of preventable birth defects and is caused by foetal exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. It can have a significant impact on the child’s development and their ability to learn. Consistent and accurate information on FASD is therefore essential for recognition and intervention for children with FASD.

Talking to Children about Difficult Things

Are you worried about:

  • Talking to a child about divorce, death or illness,
  • Preparing a foster child for a placement move, or sharing their traumatic history with them,
  • Discussing the importance of internet safety,
  • Helping a child to understand the need for painful medical treatment

Having these conversations is tremendously difficult but preparing children for life-changing events is incredibly important for their future mental health and for maintaining their trust in you. However, that does not make it any easier when we realise that we are going to have to have a “difficult” conversation with our child.

Unfortunately, that fear can often lead to important topics being avoided or not given the time and consideration needed to address it in the best way possible. Whatever the subject, or the age of the child, there are lots of ways to make it a bit less painful for you both and maybe come away from the conversation knowing that you’re even closer to your child than before.

Within this two-hour workshop, delegates will learn:

  • The things to consider before having a difficult conversation
  • How to start a difficult conversation
  • Strategies for talking about life changing topics

Anxiety

Everybody struggles with anxiety to some degree or another at some point in their lives but sometimes anxiety can become unmanageable. Childhood and adolescence are incredibly tough times with major changes and huge adjustments to make all the time. Understanding what anxiety is and the different responses that children/young people might have to it is key! With the right information and support behind you, you can help your child overcome difficult situations and equip them with the skills to cope with their worry.

Sibling Relationships

Sibling relationships are often amongst the most significant and important bonds that we have in the course of our lifetime. However, it is very common for there to be conflict between siblings in childhood which can present in a variety of ways including rivalry, competitiveness, hostility and aggression. This workshop will explore the complex, often conflictual relationships children can have with their siblings as well as the support and comfort they can provide.

Building resilience amongst staff working with children with additional needs

We recognise that working day-to-day with children who struggle with their behaviour, have social and communication difficulties, or have other conditions which require additional support. This can take its toll on staff. Teaching / care staff are required to manage the complex dynamics that can occur between themselves and the children in their care, and between the young people themselves, at the same time as ensuring children are supported to achieve their potential. This is a tough job and can leave teachers, TA’s and care staff feeling frustrated and burnt out.

Within this two-hour workshop, delegates will have/learn:

  • An opportunity to explore the particular challenges that staff face when working with children with additional needs
  • Discussion regarding the emotional impact on staff of working with these children
  • How staff can take care of themselves and build their resources and resilience
  • How staff can begin to make sense of violent / aggressive / challenging behaviour – what might be the factors that influence a child’s behaviour?
  • Developing an example formulation to bring together the different bio / psycho / social factors underlying difficult behaviour and beginning to explore strategies that can help.