Relationships hurt, relationships heal

A spider web between some small branches of a bush.

Relationships are at the heart of how we survive and thrive as humans. Children and adults who are hurt in the context of relationships also rely on relationships to heal. They require positive, safe and sensitive relational experiences.

This session focuses in on the aspects of relationships significant for trauma-informed practice; how they develop, function, recover from ruptures and become long lasting, nurturing and resilient.

Going beyond attachment theory, we draw on a range of theories and frameworks to take a deep dive into the significance of early life experiences. We consider how these shape our neurobiology and templates for how we connect. Importantly, we help participants grasp how our first relationships influence individual responses to stress, how we seek pleasure, and even our lifelong ability to trust, or distrust, others.

The session will provide participants with key principles for working with individuals who fear relationships, that can be applied not just in specific therapeutic interventions but in the individual’s day-to-day life with carers, teachers and other practitioners.

Target Audience: Supervisors and practitioners
Duration: Full or half day
Location: On-line or in-person