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Therapeutic Frameworks

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Trauma Informed Practice

The philosophy of trauma-informed care considers the impact of past and present trauma in the lives of infants, children, young people and their families. Trauma impacts can have far reaching consequences for developmental, psychosocial and mental health. Working in ways that understand and respond to trauma and its impacts can prevent further trauma. Child Life Therapists have practised the principles of trauma informed care long before the term was devised. This has been through understanding and facilitating physical and emotional safety, establishing trusting relationships, communicating honestly and accurately, offering choice and control and using a strengths-based model of care.

At Healing Hearts Beyond all interventions are cemented in trauma-informed practices and support the child to feel safe and recognise their individual journey and strengths they bring. What counts in risk for traumatic stress is NOT the objective severity of the child’s illness or injury, but the SUBJECTIVE experience of the child or parent.

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Child and Family-Centred Care

Child and Family-Centred Care “assures the health and well-being of children and their families through a family-professional partnership that is based on dignity and respect for each other”. Healing Hearts Beyond focuses on developing these partnerships to honour the strengths, cultures, traditions, and expertise that everyone brings to this relationship.

There is robust evidence to demonstrate the benefits of a genuine partnered approach to paediatric healthcare, whereby the child and family’s needs are centred and their participation in decision-making and care planning, is not only supported, but embraced.

Key principles include recognising that:

  • The family is a central and constant factor in the child’s life

  • Family members are often the experts about the child, and families are the best advocates for their child’s needs

  • Professional collaboration is essential to optimise care

  • Care needs to be inclusive of an individual’s family’s values, beliefs, cultures, ethnicity, and social diversity.

  • All communication should be conducted with dignity and respect

  • The strengths of the individual child and family are important to identify and include in their care plan.

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