Therapeutic Care Blog
The CETC blog tells the stories behind 'what works' in Intensive Therapeutic Care
‘Tis the Season to be Jolly’ – but not for everyone
It’s all too easy to get wrapped up in the fun and happiness of Christmas and forget that, for others, the season isn’t necessarily a joyful one. For some the young people in the ITC system, Christmas has not been a happy time and can bring back difficult memories. Arguments, violence or aggression in the …
Read More“It wasn’t just listening to your ideas, it was following through”
In 2019 and 2020, a group of young people with firsthand experience in out-of-home care joined PhD candidate Meaghan Vosz to research the practices associated with ‘giving due weight’ to the views of children and young people in policy making in Australia. They observed over 100 people engaged in policy making across six state and …
Read MoreKaren’s Story: Culture
Recently I had the privilege of being invited to the 50th Birthday party for twins, Karen and Sharon Lovett who initially came into care at 4 months. I was fortunate to share part of particularly Karen’s life in residential care during her teens. Through the years I thought of her so often wondering what we …
Read MoreThe Healing Power of Friendship
“A friend is someone who helps you up when you’re down, and if they can’t, they lay down beside you and listen.” Winnie the Pooh Can the friendships and connections that can develop in Intensive Residential Care be nurtured and grown rather than feared? I would like you to take a moment to think back …
Read MoreThe role of praise in working with young people
Traumatised children tend to receive little praise, and therefore, don’t respond well to praise. We can see each of our daily interactions with each of the young people we care for as bids for connection. By choosing to turn toward, to turn away, or turn against each other’s bid for connection and opportunity for change. …
Read MoreWhat is cultural safety?
“Our own culture is like water to fish. We live and breathe through it’ (Alf Bamblett, quoted in Krakouer, J., Wise, S., & Connolly, M 2018) Cultural Safety is used by organisations alongside Cultural Competency and Cultural Responsiveness to demonstrate their commitment to work and provide services which are welcoming and respectful of another …
Read MoreUnderstanding and Supporting Young People Who Self-Harm in Residential Care
Some of the young people we care for in the ITC programs deal with emotional distress and pain by hurting themselves physically. Young people hurting themselves is distressing to them and to those who care for them. ITC staff may experience a range of emotions, including anger, sadness, helplessness, guilt, shame or disgust. In response …
Read MoreWhat does voice and choice mean in Intensive Therapeutic Care?
Voice and choice can be an extremely difficult concept in Intensive Therapeutic Care to get right. We know participation is a right, not a privilege, and we also know young people have tremendous capacity to heal and thrive in the context of warm, attuned, responsive and safe relationships. Equally being heard can enhance young people’s self-esteem …
Read MoreThe Intensive Therapeutic Care Dance
Therapeutic residential work can be conceptualised as a dance. It works best when therapeutic workers display therapeutic presence, are in sync with the young person, can making meaning of the young person’s behaviour and responses and work in a climate that supports therapeutic care. At its best, therapeutic residential work is a process of synchronised …
Read MoreThe Role of Supervision in the Trauma-Informed Journey
The intention of trauma-informed practice and care is an increased understanding of how present behaviours and difficulties can be understood in the context of past trauma. The approach offers a framework for a common set of values, knowledge and language. Trauma-informed care (TIC) can also be applied to understanding and protecting the workforce from secondary …
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