SERVICES
Life Story Work (LSW)
Therapeutic Life Story Work helps children and young people in care to understand their personal history, make sense of their experiences, and build stronger relationships with the people caring for them. If your child is looked after, adopted, or living with kinship carers, this structured approach provides the support they need to process their past and feel more secure in their present.
This goes beyond creating a photo album or memory book. It’s an evidence-based therapeutic intervention that combines careful research into your child’s history with creative sessions, helping them piece together their story in a way that promotes healing.
Who Can Benefit from Therapeutic Life Story Work?
This service supports children aged 4 to 17 who are in care situations.
Your child may benefit if they’re currently in foster care, have been adopted, live with kinship carers, or are under a Special Guardianship Order. Many children in these situations struggle with questions about their past, and without answers, they can feel confused about their identity and where they belong.
Life Story Work is particularly helpful for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, or multiple placement moves. If your child asks repeated questions about their birth family, shows signs of emotional distress related to their past, or seems preoccupied with trying to understand why they’re not living with their birth parents, this approach provides a safe way for them to explore these difficult topics.
Children whose placements are struggling or at risk of breaking down often benefit significantly, as the work strengthens their attachment to their current carers.
How Therapeutic Life Story Work Helps Your Child
Research shows that this approach creates measurable improvements in children’s lives. Your child is likely to experience reduced trauma symptoms, better emotional regulation, and improved behaviour both at home and in school.
The work strengthens the attachment between your child and their primary carer, which is fundamental to their sense of security and wellbeing.
Children who complete Life Story Therapy often become calmer and more focused, less preoccupied with unanswered questions about their past. This frees up emotional energy for learning, playing, and building relationships
The Process in Schools
I deliver Life Story Work in your child’s school.
The work happens in three stages.
First, I gather detailed information about your child’s history through careful research and interviews. Second, we work together using creative activities, art materials, and play-based approaches to help your child process their experiences. Finally, your child receives a personalised life story book that they’ve helped to create.
Throughout this process, I work closely with social workers, teachers, and carers to ensure your child feels emotionally safe and supported. Sessions use creative materials and activities that allow your child to explore their feelings and experiences at their own pace, without pressure to talk about things before they’re ready.
My Qualifications and Approach
I’m a Certified Practitioner in Therapeutic Life Story Work.
As a Play Therapist and Child and Adolescent Counsellor registered with Play Therapy UK I bring together my expertise in play therapy with specialist training in life story work. This combination means your child receives therapeutic support that’s both trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate for their age and needs.
If you’d like to discuss whether Therapeutic Life Story Work might benefit a child in your care or your school, please get in touch.