How We Work

Therapeutic Life Story Work Model (TLSW)

Our Approach

We use the Therapeutic Life Story Work Model (TLSW). We include you in your individual journey through integrating the past to make sense of the present. Our approach is child-centred, trauma-informed and inclusive — designed to support looked-after and adopted children, young people and young adults.

Our Method

We work through talking therapy, playing games, art activities, using colourful pens on wallpaper. We offer one to one consultation with parent/s, primary carer or with an individual young adult. This will enable us to understand different individual's needs of children, young people or young adults and explain the concept of our work.

Three Stages of Therapeutic Life Story Work

Our structured three-stage model ensures each individual receives a thorough, compassionate and meaningful journey through their life story.

Information Bank

We gather information from a range of sources including social care records, family members, carers and other professionals. This builds a comprehensive picture of the individual's life journey — the people, places and events that have shaped who they are today.

Internalization

Through therapeutic sessions we help the individual process and make sense of their story. Using creative activities, games and conversation, we support them to understand their feelings, emotions and experiences — including identity, separation, loss, grief and past trauma.

The Life Story Book

The Therapeutic Life Story practitioner writes up the individual Life Story Book based on the information gathered and the therapeutic work completed. This becomes a lasting, personal record that the individual can keep and return to throughout their life.

How We Meet

We offer fortnightly sessions online or face to face in your home, school or college or wherever an individual feels safe. A child, young person or a young adult is supported by their parent or primary carer or a trusted adult as the work is triad.

Who We Support

We work with a diverse group of children and families across the UK, including:

Looked-after children and young people
Adopted children and young people
Young adults with care experience
Foster families and adoptive parents
Children and young people with complex trauma histories

Ready to find out more?

Get in touch with us today to discuss how Therapeutic Life Story Work could support you or someone in your care.