Starting Point

Our work began by understanding what he witnessed, heard, felt and remembered. Growing up at such a young age, in a violent environment, reshapes how a child's nervous system shapes itself. We were working against the clock to prevent his memories from controlling his emotions. His aggression was not an act of defiance; it was dysregulation surfacing with the one he felt safest with.

My Approach

I helped Sarah to explore what contact with his father meant to her psychologically. Loyalty does bind children to both parents, even when harm and physical abuse have been witnessed. Holding love for dad whilst trying to understand what fear is can create unbearable tension. On returning home at the end of the week, the tension was released. We continued to discuss behaviour, observing and documenting what was going on. I explored trauma-informed support, emotional regulation strategies, and the importance of consistent containment rather than projecting worry and guilt.

I supported Sarah to approach the education system with confidence, helping her to articulate the history sensitively, request pastoral monitoring, and explore external therapeutic referrals. Navigating any kind of system, regardless of whether it's internal or external, can be overwhelming, especially after abuse. I stayed alongside her as she found her confidence again, moving through each step without emotional collapse.