Child Development and its significance in Creative Therapeutic Practice.

The Centre for Creative Therapeutic Practice

Understanding the intricacy of child development  from in utero and beyond, provides invaluable insights and information to support therapists to more effectively target their interventions.  We invite you to enhance your skills through this scientifically  informed course, designed for therapists and related professionals.  Adopting a biopsychosocial perspective and referencing attachment theory,  we provide an in-depth exploration of neuro, sensory and motor development from the prenatal stage onward, equipping  practitioners with the knowledge to support the children and young people they serve.

As therapists, understanding child development from the prenatal stage through to adolescence and early adulthood is crucial to co creating effective goals in therapy. This foundational knowledge allows practitioners to tailor therapeutic approaches, and foster growth at every stage of a child’s journey.

Scientific research informs us that a child's development starts way before birth, with the prenatal environment significantly influencing their physical, emotional, sensory, motor, and cognitive development. Factors such as stress, nutrition, and maternal health during pregnancy can affect brain development and temperament. Therapists can gain valuable insights by recognising how early experiences, including those in utero, shape a child's personality, sense of security, and ability to regulate emotions. Additionally, we now know that development can be influenced by epigenetics, which can be scientifically traced back for at least three generations.

Each stage of development presents unique milestones in areas such as emotional regulation, social skills, and cognitive abilities. For instance, a toddler exploring autonomy differs from a teenager grappling with identity,  however, this can be helpfully linked through having knowledge of these milestones,  enabling therapists to design developmentally appropriate therapeutic interventions through carefully incorporating  sensory motor activities with expressive arts that resonate and support the client’s developmental needs.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) or unresolved developmental trauma can have significant impacts throughout life, influencing behaviour, relationships, and mental health. Therapists can use this increased understanding to help clients reframe and process early experiences through creative mediums.

In depth knowledge of  the stages of development enables  therapists to see their clients holistically, building a deep understanding of the interplay between biology, environment, and personal experiences, enabling therapists to connect effectively, safely and knowledgeably.

For therapists, understanding child development from in utero through to young adulthood isn’t just academic; it’s transformative. This knowledge serves as a map, guiding therapeutic practice and ensuring that each intervention is rooted in the client’s unique developmental journey. By embracing this perspective, creative therapists can meaningfully and competently support growth across all ages and stages of life.

We look forward to welcoming  you.

More details about this course can be found here.  

We are offering 15% off all courses booked in the month of March.

Creative Therapeutic Practice to Support Autistic & Neurodivergent Children and Young People

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Mary Rose Brady and Dr Patricia Watts

⁠The significant year-on-year global increase of autism diagnoses presents a particular challenge for a Health Care system already under considerable stress. NICE guidelines recommend maximum waiting times of 13 weeks for clients referred for autism assessments, however waiting lists in the UK are generally around 5 times this length, preventing best practice from being implemented.⁠ This also means that creative therapists and other professionals are being referred more children and young people pre or post assessment and are required to adapt their interventions to address and support additional needs 

Delivering effective creative therapeutic intervention for autistic children and young people requires specific training in order to support development, social communication and emotional regulation and to mitigate some of the more distressing accompanying symptoms.⁠

Applying  integral elements of early years evidence based training for autistic children and young people like PACT and JASPER and incorporating knowledge of the 3 hidden senses can be a game changer in delivering safe and effective practice. This CPCAB endorsed course draws on researched interventions to combine theory and practice with sensory motor activities designed by children and young people themselves.

By utilising a “  heads, shoulders, knees and toes... and eyes and ears and mouth and nose”  approach, we can help  join the sensory, motor, interoceptive, proprioceptive and vestibular dots to support autistic children and young people in a more effective and  holistic way.

“what I love most about this approach is its focus on sensory and symbolic methods, making it easier to connect with neurodivergent cyp, especially those who may struggle with verbal communication. The training is both practical and evidence based , giving me a solid understanding of how to apply these techniques in real world settings. I highly recommend this course- it has been a game changer for how I support the cyp I work with “

Participant from our most recent course 

To book a place on our next course please click here. We are offering 10% off all courses booked in the month of January.

Constructive Approaches to Suicidality and Self-harm

The Centre for Creative Therapeutic Practice is honoured to partner with Sarah Kendrick  to bring you this essential CPD course - Introduction to Constructive Approaches to Suicidality and Self-harm

Sarah Kendrick

Sarah is Clinical Director at Mental Health Innovations, who provide Shout,  a text line available free of charge 24/7 to anyone needing urgent mental health support. Sarah has held senior positions in the charity sector and also acts a  consultant for film and television, and she is currently Clinical Director at Mental Health Innovations, who provide Shout, a text line available free of charge 24/7 to anyone needing urgent mental health support.

Suicide and Self-Harm in the UK: A Crisis We Can All Address

Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people under the age of 35 in the UK. In 2022, 1,796 young people under 35 took their own lives. Around three-quarters of them were boys or young men.

This staggering statistic highlights the urgency of addressing mental health concerns and providing support for those in need. Despite growing awareness, there remains a significant gap in providing effective interventions in therapeutic practice.

This is where my Introduction to Constructive Approaches to Suicidality and Self-Harm course comes in. I am a passionate advocate for equipping therapists, regardless of their modality, with the knowledge and skills to confidently understand, discuss, and take action to help prevent suicide.

Suicide and self-harm are subjects many of us feel unsure or unskilled in addressing. There is still a level of taboo and stigma in society when it comes to having open conversations about suicide, and this hesitance often carries over into our work as therapists. Despite the pressing need, there has been little focus in the creative therapeutic world on the emerging theoretical foundations of suicide prevention and how therapists can apply these insights with great effect. Having seen first hand the devastating impact of suicide on families and communities, I have designed this course to address suicide and self-harm from personal, theoretical, and practical perspectives. No prior expertise or knowledge is required, but an open mind and a willingness to engage in candid discussions about why young people turn to self-harming behaviours are highly encouraged.

The course covers key areas such as examining and reframing  myths about suicide, identifying early warning signs, understanding the stigma surrounding suicide and self-harm, learning how to approach someone who might be struggling, and knowing what actions to take. Participants will gain confidence in navigating difficult conversations, learn how to facilitate safety plans with a strong focus on the possibility of prevention,  and build competence  in supporting safe and  effective therapeutic engagement.

I look forward to meeting you.

More information about this course, including booking can be found here or by emailing hello@tcctp.org