Therapeutic Life Story Work

'There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you' - Maya Angelou (author, poet, singer, & civil rights activist)

What is Therapeutic Life Story Work?

Therapeutic Life Story Work aims to help children and young people make sense of their past experiences, putting traumatic histories into context, and informing the child or young person's sense of identity and belonging in the here and now.

Traditional life story work and the production of life story books for 'looked after' children can be traced back to the mid-1980's but Therapeutic Life Story Work goes much deeper than simply collating information and photographs into a life story book. Drawing upon training in both Play and Creative Arts Therapies and Therapeutic Life Story Work this approach focuses upon the therapeutic process of expressing and exploring thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and making sense of the life story narrative.

It is crucial that as much information as possible about a child or young person's life history is available prior to starting direct work to ensure a coherent and accurate narrative. The creation of a Lifestory Book is often seen as the end product of Life Story Work however, in this therapeutic approach, the work created in Life Story sessions form the record of the narrative and the therapeutic processing. This also means TLSW is suitable for children and young people who already have a Life Story Book but who need a deeper understanding of and opportunity to explore their life history. Direct work involves working with parent/carer and the child or young person together over 6 to 8 sessions to facilitate communication and understanding, and enhance attachment relationships.

Who is Therapeutic Life Story Work for?

Therapeutic Life Story Work is typically offered to children and young people from 4-16 years old. Therapeutic Life Story Work has typically been used with children and young people who are fostered or adopted, but this approach can also support any child or young person make sense of other traumatic early experiences or complex life histories.

Therapeutic Life Story Work is usually delivered alongside the parent/carer to support both child/young person and parent/carer in developing ways of acknowledging and exploring difficult events and experiences in a safe therapeutic environment; increasing understanding of past experiences and their impact upon present behaviours; and strengthening attachment relationships by building trust and security through the shared narrative. It is however, possible to deliver Therapeutic Life Story Work with children and young people individually in some circumstances.