Introduction to Therapeutic Work with Children
A two and a half day experiential workshop, this course is designed to teach participants how to help children deal with their difficult feelings and is intended to give an insight into the complexities of psychotherapeutic work with children.
Designed for practitioners who work with children in a variety of roles, from social workers, teachers and SENCO to nursery teachers, classroom assistants, school nurses and foster carers, the course addresses the many daily challenges faced by these professionals who encounter psychological distress and emotional difficulties presented by children.
This course is not a stand-alone qualification in child counselling or child psychotherapy. Participants of the course will receive a Terapia Certificate in Introduction to Therapeutic Work with Children which can also be counted to CPD hours.
Duration:
Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September 2026
Friday 4th September: 6pm to 9pm
Saturday 5th September and Sunday 6th September: 10am to 5pm
This two-and-a-half-day course will cover basic skills in therapeutic work with children including
• Understanding of attachment and attachment behaviours
• Introduction to neuroscience (theories of Sue Gerhardt, Allan Schore, Dan Siegel, Louis Cozolino)
• Aspects of early experiences of the infant and the infant care-giver relationship
• Why do we need to observe an infant to understand a child and an adult?
• Working with developmental trauma
• Experiential exercises
• Play therapy and therapeutic play.
Friday 4 September (6pm – 9pm)
• Welcome and introduction to the course, getting to know each other
• Contracting / group agreement
• Experiential exercises to introduce play and playfulness
Saturday 5 September (10am – 5pm)
• Basic skills in therapeutic work with children – relating and active listening (PACE)
• Understanding of attachment and attachment behaviours
• Introduction to neuroscience (theories of Sue Gerhardt, Allan Schore, Dan Siegel, Louis Cozolino).
• Aspects of child development
• Working with developmental trauma
• Experiential exercises
Sunday 6 September (10am – 5pm)
• Recognising different stages of play – developmental play paradigm
• Understanding how play is used to facilitate healing
• The risks of using play and how to keep safe
• The meaning behind the behaviour and symbolic communication of children and young people
• Experiential exercises
• Reflections and review / group ending
• Next steps
All participants will receive a detailed timetable for the course. Terapia reserve the right to alter the programme
Training Requirements
The theoretical training is conducted in parallel with experiential training. Both are designed to ensure the appropriate grounding of the theory into practice. as well a gradual introduction into practical work with children.
Participants will learn about therapeutic play and its use in facilitating expression of the child’s inner world. They will also learn basic therapeutic counselling skills, play therapy skills and be introduced to relevant theories.
The following attributes and personal qualities are required in those wishing to join courses at Terapia:
Professional experience or personal interest in therapeutic work with children and young people.
To attend the course please send a copy of your CV to [email protected]
You will be asked to make a payment for the course fees to secure your place
Fees
Course Fee – Introduction to Therapeutic Work With Children
- Self-funded: £245
- Employer-funded: £280
Group booking discounts may apply – please call or email to receive further information.
Terapia is a Registered Charity (Charity Number 1144041) and does not profit from course fees.
Funding
No funding is currently available for this course.
Apply for this course
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