Blog

Self-harm is a deeply personal and complex response to distress, often misunderstood and surrounded by stigma. At Meadows Psychology Service, we recognise that self-harm is not a disorder in itself but rather a coping strategy used by individuals to manage overwhelming emotions, distressing thoughts, or trauma. Our work with children and young people who engage […]

Resilience is a term used to describe one’s ability to cope with and achieve positive outcomes despite difficult or traumatic experiences. When a child or young person is resilient, they can recover from setbacks and move forward in their lives more positively. This builds their confidence and helps them to feel more capable of managing […]

Children and young people who have experienced trauma have very often experienced people who have related to them in ways that are hurtful, uncaring, or inconsistent. This can have implications for how the child learns to understand and tolerate the feelings and inner experiences of others. Adopting an empathic approach is essential for developing a […]

For children who have unfortunately experienced trauma or have complex emotional needs, a standard foster carer may not be equipped to offer the support that they require.  Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment to thrive in, but for children who have had challenging experiences in the past and have lived through trauma or […]

Adopting a curious stance can be a very effective tool when supporting children and young people to explore and make sense of their early and current experiences, as well as their inner world. It requires carers who can confidently and effectively implement techniques which encourage open communication, active listening, and a willingness to learn from […]

What is Acceptance? Acceptance means embracing and valuing children and young people for who they are and without judgement. Implementing the principle of “acceptance” in P.A.C.E therapeutic parenting involves the use of key communication skills which seek to validate the young person’s emotions and foster a non-judgmental and supportive parent/carer-child relationship. Acceptance is about telling […]

P.A.C.E is a trauma-informed approach that was developed by clinical psychologist Dr Dan Hughes. It is an evidence-based way of thinking, feeling, and communicating that helps carers build safety, security, and trust in the adult-child relationship. P.A.C.E is rooted in attachment theory and recognises the critical role of secure attachments in healthy child development. When […]

Supporting a child or young adult who has experienced trauma or has had an upbringing with adversity can experience a whole host of challenges.  As a caregiver, you want to do your best to ensure that the young person has a support unit in place to help them in times of uncertainty or distress, but […]

Caregiving, whilst incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, can at times be extremely emotionally demanding. When it becomes too much, caregivers can experience physical and emotional exhaustion and a weakened sense of empathy for the suffering of others.  What is Compassion Fatigue? The term compassion fatigue was first introduced by Charles Figley in the 1980s to describe […]