Diploma in Therapeutic Life Story Work

Therapeutic Life Story Work supports children and adolescents who are adopted, under special guardianship, kinship care and/or foster care, in making sense of their past experiences, putting difficult or traumatic histories into context while simultaneously developing the child/ adolescent’s sense of self, identity and belonging through reconstructing personal narratives within a creative, developmentally sensitive, trauma and attachment informed Therapeutic Life Story Work Framework.

Therapeutic Life Story Work is a creative, trauma and attachment informed therapeutic process which supports and empowers children and adolescents  in constructing a coherent narrative of  their history. This Work is undertaken in a sensitive, systematic and systemic manner facilitated by a trained Therapeutic Life Story Work Practitioner. This impartial direct work provides children and adolescent with vital information about their past in a developmentally appropriate, creative, trauma and attachment informed manner. Using a strengths-based and creative approach, Therapeutic Life Story Work supports adopted, special guardianship, kinship care and/or foster cared children and adolescents in making sense of their past, how it affects and impacts them in the present enabling them to move forward with a greater sense of security, identity and belonging. Therapeutic Life Story Work focuses on the co- creation of a bespoke therapeutic life story book, which serves as a factual and meaningful record of the child’s/adolescent’s life journey and the therapeutic work undertaken throughout their Therapeutic Life Story Work process.

TLSW also supports parents and carers in understanding and appreciating the impact a child’s fragmented history can have on their development, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Through creative didactic work with TLSW Practitioner, parent/carer and child/adolescent the development of secure attachments are supported, compassion is enhanced and understanding is achieved.

This programme is specifically designed to equip social workers, social care and family support workers, GALS, adolescent psychotherapists, play and art therapists and with the skills and knowledge to facilitate Therapeutic Life Story Work effectively and ethically through a creative, trauma and attachment informed lens.

In ensuring an immersive learning experience this programme will be facilitated through a therapeutic teaching lens offering participants ample opportunities for group discussions, exploring case examples, skill development and practice along with reflective and experiential exercises.

CPD Recognised and Approved by The Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy and awarded 60 CPD Points.

Katie Wrench is an experienced therapeutic social worker who has managed Therapeutic Social Work Teams for over 20 years, she currently holds the position of Clinical Lead at BUSS Model Ltd UK. Katie is also a qualified art psychotherapist, published author, trainer, consultant and respite foster carer. She provides training around therapeutic life story work to local authorities, regional adoption agencies and fostering teams across the UK and Ireland. Katie has authored and co-authored a range of publication on Therapeutic Life Story Work:

• Life Story Work with Children who are Fostered or Adopted: Creative Ideas and Activities. Wrench & Naylor (2013) Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Helping Vulnerable Children & Adolescents To Stay Safe. Creative Ideas and Activities for Building Protective Behaviours. (2016) Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Creative Assessment with Vulnerable Children & Families. (2018) Jessica Kingsley Publishers
• Skills and Knowledge for Life Story Work with Children and Adolescents. (2024) Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Our in-depth and robust IACP Approved and Recognised Diploma in Therapeutic Life Story Work focuses on the importance of children and adolescents having the opportunity to construct a sequential coherent narrative of their life history to the present moment. Participants will gain a deep understanding and appreciation of the value and importance of Therapeutic Life Story Work with children/adolescents who are adopted, under special guardianship, kinship care and/or foster care. Through the integration of theoretical understanding and practical application of The Katie Wrench Therapeutic Life Story Work Framework, participants will learn how to support children and adolescents who have a history of trauma and disrupted attachment to make sense of their past, understand their present and move forward towards a safer more integrated future.

1. Gain an in-depth understanding and appreciation of Therapeutic Life Story Work (Kate Wrench Model) and its healing potential for children and adolescents who are adopted, under special guardianship, kinship care and/or foster care.

2. Develop the skills and competencies to Facilitate Therapeutic Life Story Work within an evidenced based, theoretically robust and ethical framework.

3. Develop and awareness and a deep appreciation of displacement and the impact on the developing child/adolescent.

4. Understand  the role of Therapeutic Life Story Work Practitioner and others within the child/adolescent systemic network.

5. Learn the phases, tools and practice of Therapeutic Life Story Work.

6. Learn how to assess readiness and structure meaningful Therapeutic Life Story Work Sessions.

7. Understand the various models of information collation.

8. Maintain professional effectiveness when working with looked after children children/adolescents enabling them to understand their early histories in an age-appropriate manner.

9. Develop confidence and competencies in sensitive enquiry exploring narratives with empathy and curiosity.

10. Develop the skills and competencies to integrate creative arts modalities to enable children/adolescents express difficult and complex feeling in a creative and expressive manner.

11. Develop the tools  and techniques underpinning the construction of Therapeutic Life Story Books – Format and Structure.

Full Fee: €1,750
€400 on registration
€270 monthly for 5 months (first instalment one month after registration)

This CPD Diploma is specifically designed for social workers, social care and family support workers, GALS, adolescent psychotherapists, play and art therapists who have appropriate experience and accreditation and who wish to expand their skills and knowledge to facilitate Therapeutic Life Story Work effectively and ethically through a creative, trauma and attachment informed lens.

This programme will be facilitated entirely online on Zoom

• Personal Learning Journal (1500 words)
• Professional Learning Journal (1500 words)
• Creative Exercises between modules

Please read our Terms and Conditions document carefully. You will be required to indicate your consent on the programme application form.