Post Qualifying: Creative Therapeutic Life Story Work

This comprehensive program offers a clear framework for qualified Play Therapists, Children and Adolescent Counsellors, Psychotherapists and Social Workers to undertake Creative Therapeutic Life Story work. This course will focus on the importance of children and young people having the opportunity to construct a concrete sequential narrative of their history to the present day. You will gain the knowledge and skills to professionally undertake Creative Therapeutic Life Story Work with children and young people, key theories will underpin the process of how to ethically undertake life story work. These therapeutic skills will enable children and young people who are adopted or in care and are not able to live with their family of origin to gain facts about their history through the safety of creative media.

Creative Therapeutic Life Story Work is essential because children and young people who have been adopted or are in the care system often have questions about their earlier life prior to being placed with their new family. For some children they may have moved between one home to another. Memories fade and can cause confusion which can impact their mental health and their ability to feel safe and secure and form positive lasting relationships with carers, family members and friends. This framework is based on the importance of being client centered. Creative Therapeutic Life Story is delivered at an appropriate time for children and young people to understand their story of origin. They are equipped with the knowledge of their history so that they can gain a clear sense of their own identity. This process can provide opportunities to share experiences and feelings with parents and carers and make sense of belonging to both birth and adoptive families.

Designed in consultation with Adoptive Parents, Post Adoption Support Social Worker and Play Therapists who specialise in working with adopted children and young people.

Aim of course 

• To understand the purpose of Creative Therapeutic Life Story Work for children/young people who have been adopted or are in long term foster care. 
• To introduce participants to the history of adoption and the difference between Adoption, Special Guardianship and Foster care.
• To understand why the child’s history is an important aspect of their identity. 
• To learn how to approach Creative Therapeutic Life Story Work with children and young people to construct a concrete sequential narrative of the child’s history to the present day.
• To learn when Creative Therapeutic Life Story Work be offered and delivered
• To help children increase their understanding of moves, decisions and experiences in their past. 
• To provide opportunity to share experiences and feelings with parents and carers
• To make real a sense of belonging to both family of origin and adoptive families.

Modules

Module 1: History of adoption, Special Guardianship Order (SGO) and LAC, Communication, Attachment, Observations

Module 2: Developmental stages, Infant mental health, neurodiversity, Trauma informed practice

Module 3: Developing relationships, Session planning – beginning the work

Module 4: Session planning – past and present, future work, reviewing and report writing

Guided Learning Hours: 72

Total Qualification Time: Total 224

Assessments

Three Circle Journal – only seen by lecturer

Portfolio of evidence will consist of:

   2 Assignments

   Case study

   Student reflective feedback 

   Tutor reflective feedback 

   Supervision log and report

Qualification requirements 

• Clinical Work with two clients 
• Clinical Supervision at own cost

Additional requirements to work with children and young people

• Enhanced DBS 
• ICO registration
• Professional Indeminity and Public Liability Insurance

Duration of course: 8 Taught days plus Quarterly Group tutorials: 2 hours

1 year to complete course requirements

Cost: £1250.00 (includes Student qualification registration fee £213.00, pending CpCAB approval) 

Payment plans are available: Deposit £500, followed by 5 monthly payments of £150.00