CANCELLED TO BE RESCHEDULED: From Trauma Reactive to Trauma Responsive - Becoming a Trauma Responsive Primary School

Research informs us that over 50% of all children will have experienced a traumatic event by the time they reach adulthood. (Copeland, W.E. et al, 2007) These children often get stuck in a survival loop which diminishes their capacity to regulate their emotions and behaviour. They no longer feel safe. Learning can only happen when a child feels safe.

Trauma informed schools promote feelings of physical, social and emotional safety in children. A trauma informed school understands and recognises the impact of trauma on children and their learning and responds to these children in a way that promotes growth and healing.

When we understand challenging behaviour as a possible trauma response, we can meet that behaviour with compassion and connection rather than sanctions and punishment. A trauma informed school will be curious about what has happened to the struggling child rather than being preoccupied with what is wrong with him.

From Trauma Reactive to Trauma Responsive is a workshop to support participants to

• Understand the impact of Trauma on a child’s lived world
• Respond compassionately to increase a felt sense of safety
• Create a trauma sensitive learning environment

I have worked with children in educational settings for 20 years, starting as a mainstream primary teacher, moving into S.E.N. working specifically with children with an ASD diagnosis and then with children with complex needs.

I am a child and adolescent psychotherapist specialising in play therapy now working in my own private practice in The Treasure Within, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy Clinic, Quin, Co. Clare. From here I provide play therapy and creative psychotherapy to children and adolescents. I also design and deliver workshops and trauma informed, evidence based trainings to parents and professionals nationwide.

In both my private practice and in my workshops and trainings I draw on both my education and psychotherapy experience to provide a multi-layered approach of theory and experiential activities and learning.

My focus is always to empower the children, their families, teachers and other professionals to work together to enable the struggling child be the best he or she can be.

I am an accredited member of the Irish Association of Play Therapists and Psychotherapists and of the European Association of Integrative Therapists.