Adolescents in Foster Care

I specialise in providing therapy to care experienced young people in foster families and can be contracted by local authorities, private fostering agencies or contacted directly by foster parents or adoptive parents.

I have worked with children, adolescents and families for over a decade in a variety of social work related roles. My prior career in social work and experience of working with families in crisis and fostering families managing the impact of trauma, attachment issues and developmental trauma, along with my training as a trauma and mental health informed practitioner has provided the knowledge and experience to support young people who have experienced abuse, trauma and other adverse childhood experiences. 

Therapy for adolescents who have experienced trauma, as most care experienced young people have, is very delicate work, and time must be taken to build a safe and trusting space before they are supported through painful or uncomfortable emotions. I use a mix of talking, play, creative activities, storytelling, metaphors, art and psychoeducation. Adolescents often hold incoherent narratives or unhealthy beliefs related to their early experiences that continue to have a daily impact on how they relate to and behave towards those around them. Correcting these narratives and beliefs can improve stability in all areas of their lives.

As an integrative therapist, my work is carefully adapted to the individual needs/issues and developmental age of the child – which for many care experienced young people may not be the same as their developmental age in years. 

I have a full, up-to-date, enhanced DBS check for the child and adult workforce and up to date safeguarding training.