1st Edition

A Session by Session Guide to Life Story Work A Practical Resource to Use with Looked After or Adopted Children

By Gillian Shotton Copyright 2021
196 Pages
by Speechmark

196 Pages
by Speechmark

196 Pages
by Speechmark

Life story work is a term often used to describe an approach that helps looked after and adopted children to talk and learn about their life experiences with the help of a trusted adult. This book is an essential step-by-step guide for carers and professionals seeking to carry out life story work with a traumatised or vulnerable child in their care. Underpinned by positive psychology and... Read more

Preface

Introduction

A narrative approach to life story work

Research around the effectiveness of using a narrative approach

How to use this book

Session one: establishing the ground rules and feelings cards

Session two: The Tree of Life (part A)

Session three: the tree of life (part B)

Session four: A map of all the places you have lived

Session five: Birth certificate

Sessions six and seven: Co-constructing the story so far

Session eight: Stones in a jar, acknowledging different types of memories

Session nine: Origami hearts: Celebrating people who have had a positive impact

Session ten: The Team of Life, part 1: Values

Session eleven: Team of life part 2: Identifying their team and goals

Session twelve: Team of life part 3: Tackling problems

Session thirteen: Therapeutic stories

References

Appendix one: tree outline

Appendix two: strength cards

Appendix Three: feelings cards

Appendix Four: Jar of stones activity

Appendix five: team of life, football pitch outline

Biography

Dr Gillian Shotton is an Educational Psychologist in Northumberland with a specialist remit for working in the children’s homes as well as carrying out work in schools. Gillian is also a field tutor on the doctorate course in Educational Psychology at Newcastle University and has written a number of books and journal articles.

"A useful and practical book that describes a gentle approach (which is both simple and sophisticated) which is likely to in-fill emotional holes in the life history of a young person who is likely to have been maltreated."

Dr R. J. (Sean) Cameron, writer and psychologist.