Life Story Therapy with Traumatized Children: A Model for Practice

This is a welcome follow-up to The Child’s Own Story. Rose’s premise is that life-story work can have a profound therapeutic function and should consist of so much more than simply telling a child about their past. His book draws on the latest brain development and trauma theories to present a compelling rationale for the use of this intervention with children and young people whose lives have been shaped by abuse and neglect.

Rose’s model is collaborative, careful, unhurried and keeps the child’s experience and perceptions central. It aims to help the child not only to make sense of the past, but also its impact in the present. He reminds us that assessment, planning and time spent building the therapeutic relationship are essential so the child can trust enough to explore painful feelings and to remember. The book is peppered with illustrative case studies and practical techniques.

It ends with a suggested method for evaluating outcomes – useful to those putting a case for more resources to undertake such work.

This is a passionate argument for attention to be paid to the way children are spoken to about their troubled origins. My only criticism is the lack of reference to a therapist’s own support needs as they undertake this involving and affecting work.

Lynne Hipkin, independent clinical psychologist, trainer and consultant

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