The TLSW approach was developed in the UK 25 years ago by Richard Rose. Therapeutic Life Story Work is trauma-informed and underpinned by theories of attachment and loss and grief. TLSW is the first model subjected to independent research and validated as an evidenced-based narrative model that has excellent outcomes for traumatised children, young people and adults.

“The research has shown us that TLSW strengthens the attachment of a child to a primary caregiver, which then supports improvement in peer relationships, education outcomes, reduction in trauma symptoms experienced, reduction of high-risk behaviours, improves mental health and wellbeing and overall, a greater sense of identity” – Dr James Lucas, Deakin University

The therapeutic model that guides what we do starts with creating a safe connection and building trust as a first step. Once trust is established, we can start to move into some of the more difficult conversations, along with the people the child trusts and feels supported by.

We’re constantly assessing what information will be helpful to the child and when it’s best to share that information. A safety plan is in place to identify what sort of supports they are going to need around them while that information is shared and then in the days that follow. No child or young person receives information where it is not therapeutically safe to do so.

We don’t believe in no story; there is always something to be uncovered. Where there isn’t a great deal of information to work with, our work turns to asking a child about their feelings, what questions they have and exploring that. And sometimes it’s about honouring their grief over not having all the pieces of the puzzle and working to create healing with information we do have.

We understand that anybody associated with child protection might not feel like a safe experience for you. We’re not there as child protection practitioners; this isn’t therapy or an intervention. This is an opportunity to help fill in the gaps and share your experiences in your own words. Your story matters because your story is your child’s story. 

When the carer knows the child’s story and is part of that journey, it becomes a lot safer to start having tricky conversations and create trust a lot sooner. It can also be incredibly validating to a carer when they see that they’re not alone in their experiences with a child working through trauma.