TRAUMA INFORMED CARE
The intervention model at Youth Inspire is twofold, ensuring support extends to both our young people and the dedicated team caring for them. Crucially, we provide regular, structured clinical supervision for all care staff. This ensures the team is psychologically supported, resilient, and consistently applying the most effective, evidence-based trauma-informed approaches in their daily practice.
For the children in our care, we deliver direct trauma-based therapies as part of a holistic package. These specialist therapeutic interventions are implemented when formally directed and commissioned by the child's responsible Local Authority, ensuring they are integrated into a wider, multi-agency care plan tailored to each individual's unique needs and recovery journey.
OUR THERAPIES
These are often considered gold-standard
for children with developmental trauma.
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) is a specific adaptation of CBT for children and adolescents impacted by trauma. It includes caregivers actively and incorporates trauma narration and processing in a safe, structured way.
- Theraplay is a playful, attachment-based therapy that replicates the healthy, interactive patterns of parent-child relationships to enhance attachment, self-esteem, and trust. It is highly effective for children who have experienced neglect or disrupted early care.
- Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP): A family therapy model designed for children with significant attachment difficulties. It focuses on creating a safe emotional connection between the child and caregiver, using PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) as a core attitude.
Play-Based Therapies and Interventions
These are essential for children who may not have the verbal capacity or felt safety to "talk" about their experiences.
- Play Therapy is the systematic use of a theoretical model (often child-centred) where play is the primary medium for communication. Through toys, art, and role-play, children express their inner world, process experiences, and develop solutions.
- Art Therapy uses creative processes like drawing, painting, and sculpture to help children express and understand emotions, reduce anxiety, and reconcile conflicts.
- Sandtray Therapy: The child creates a world in a tray of sand using miniature figures. This non-verbal, symbolic process allows for the safe expression of trauma and inner struggles that are too difficult to put into words.
- Drama Therapy & Psychodrama uses role-play, storytelling, and enactment to explore problems, practice new skills, and gain perspective on difficult life experiences.
At Youth Inspire, we believe that a combined approach alligns best with the complex needs of children recovering from profound psychological trauma.
LIFELONG SUPPORT
Our support and guidance does not end when our young people transition into adulthood. We continue to provide advice to the young people that we have been privileged to serve.
