As soon as the child is with us, a full assessment is compiled in order to establish just how the child is functioning, emotionally, psychologically, behaviourally, socially and, if possible at this stage, to establish how the trauma has become embedded. The child is tested to establish how much their attachments have been damaged and whether they have been traumatised to the point where they are dissociating. The assessment will establish whether the child can remember any of their significant abusive and traumatising events and whether this is by visually remembering or by sensations they have. All of the children usually require some level of desensitisation to allow them to deal with the overwhelming emotion that this leaves them with. The trauma is reprocessed in order to help the child to be released of the huge emotional strain trauma brings and to assist in getting the child to self regulate their emotions.  

 

As soon as the child comes to live with us they start the 1st phase of a 7 phase Attachment programme. Each phase is accompanied by therapeutic activities that the therapeutic support workers do with the child on a daily basis. This programme is designed to guide the child through a very structured neurological journey that will allow them to re-experience their early development in a positive way. We cannot emotionally regulate until we are emotionally regulated and all of these children are unable to self regulate their emotions due to their past abusive experiences. There is now much research and evidence to indicate the extent of damage to the brain that neglect in itself can do, let alone the other types of abuse that often follow.  

 

After the assessment has been completed the trauma work can begin. Therapy is completed by our in house Senior Therapist Mr Jonathan Martin. 

 

Jonathan will use a variety of techniques including Neuro Linguistic Programming, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing, Play Therapy, Meridian Therapy, Visualisation and Relaxation. Balametrics Balance is also used to stimulate the development of neural networks in the brain. This assists in improving control and coordination, to improve spatial awareness and sense of balance. Children who have been neglected often have their development so severely damaged that all of the basic motor sensory features are not functioning. This can, amongst other things, affect their ability to learn, read and write. Because most mental processes involve both sides of the brain, integration problems between the two hemispheres can result in inefficiencies in brain processes. The use of Balametrics balance aids in the integration of the two hemispheres so that they can work in unison. A therapy room is available for youngsters who prefer to be away from their home base, however, for some and for those golden 'catch now' moments each home has a therapy room where work can be done or where the child can have a quiet time.