Groups

Our therapeutic groups provide specialist support to families with very young children facing adversity and its impact.  

Currently we offer parent-toddler and parent-only groups for families who have adopted. Our groups are also available to be commissioned by agencies supporting under 5s and their parents who want to develop specialist mental health support for these families. To discuss commissioning one of our groups please contact us. 

Adoption Parent-Toddler Group (RPPA)

APTG is a six-month long therapeutic playgroup for adopted toddlers and their parents. APTG integrates psychoanalytic, child development, neurobiological, attachment and trauma-informed approaches. The group promotes toddler development and family stability through supporting the parent-child relationship.

Sessions consist of free play activities within a consistent group structure and routine, creating a stable, predictable atmosphere which supports children’s developing sense of safety and security. Families observe and reflect on children’s play and behaviour, and their possible meanings, alongside experienced clinicians, who can offer psychoeducation and developmental advice. The group helps to make sense of and normalise the behaviour of toddlers whose development may be impacted by early trauma, and enables parents to share experiences with other adoptive families facing similar challenges,. Finally, APTG helps families to build relationships with one another, creating sustainable support networks which continue after the group has ended.

• In person group of six to eight families

• 20 weekly group sessions plus four individual introductory and review sessions

• Facilitated by two experienced child psychotherapists with support from postgraduate students

Reflective Parenting for Parents who have Adopted Group (RPPA)

RPPA is a psychoeducational support group for parents with adopted children from 0 to 7 years old. Its aim is to promote ‘mentalization’, which is parents’ ability to understand the thoughts, feelings and needs of both themselves and their children. RPPA has a particular emphasis on the impact of disruptions to early caregiving relationships on adopted children.

RPPA strengthens family relationships and sensitive parenting through increasing the connection both parents and their children feel towards each other. By promoting parents’ capacity to understand their children’s emotions, it reduces conflict and brings about behaviour change. The group also provides opportunities for parents to build supportive relationships with other parents with similar experiences and facing similar challenges, creating peer networks which provide a valuable and sustainable source of support for the future.

  • Online group of six to eight parents

  • 10 weekly group sessions

  • Facilitated by an experienced child psychotherapist and an expert by experience, who is also a parent of adopted children 

Make an enquiry

If you would like to partner with us, commission one of our groups or request supervision or consultation please get in touch.