Direct Work

 

Direct Work with children adolescents and adults

The treatment process will start with a comprehensive assessment where the time will be spent  getting to know the person ascertaining an understanding of their history, insight, awareness, any presenting problems, symptoms, and the meaning behind it. This is done in an investigative and non-intrusive way using various approaches to build rapport, exercises, psychometric forms and assessment tools that will be incorporated into a case formulation and treatment plan.

 

This is completed in a careful intentional way that helps the child, adolescent or adult to feel safe and able to make progress in treatment but is also available to support with their emotional and mental developing well-being. The intake process will acknowledge the healthy aspects of ones history, the good thing, the strengths, track record of achievements and positive relationships – the “Once upon a time stuff” from when circumstances were better. This is with hope that there was such a time. If not, we will still do the best we can in terms of identifying strengths and resources as a trauma survivor is an ‘expert of their lived experiences.’ “They know themselves better than anyone else and we need to tap into this.” Establishing a sense of safety and secure frame is needed to first calm an active trauma brain. Then we explore history up to the present, in various areas of life and start to learn about the impact of their trauma or distressing life impacting event/s made in terms of problem development.

 

After completing a trauma formulation treatment plan, we will target their cognitive structures or their negative schemas (patterns of behaviour), with the view to identify the origin (root cause of what’s driving the behaviour). The therapist will employ a number of approaches such with the use of psychodynamic principles and interventions congruent with therapy, and or trauma narrative work to address the troublesome or difficult behaviour. Sessions will be weekly, creatively tailored to be less daunting and at times fun with feedback to both staff members, social workers, and parents unless the child specifically does not consent (in rare cases).

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