Support for post adoption and SGO families
As an approved provider for the Adoption Support Fund (ASGSF), Dr Helen Smith offers therapeutic interventions for children, young people, and families who have experienced developmental and relational trauma, attachment difficulties, and loss.
Dr Helen Smith is a Chartered Specialist Child and Educational Psychologist. Her work is grounded in a deep understanding of the impact of early experiences on children’s emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and relationships.
Helen has additional training in Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP), Theraplay, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) is a therapeutic approach designed to help children who have experienced developmental trauma and disrupted attachments in their early childhood relationships.
The aim is to help children gradually experience emotional safety, build trust, and develop more secure, emotionally connected relationships within their family. By making sense of early experiences within a safe and supportive relationship, DDP helps children heal and supports families to feel more connected, confident and hopeful.
DDP informed therapy begins with sessions for parents/carers. Together, we develop a shared understanding of your child’s experiences, your family’s needs, and the challenges you are facing. This early work helps us think together about ways to support you and your child in a nurturing, realistic and compassionate way.
As the intervention progresses, the child will typically join the sessions (creating the ‘dyad’). I then work with you and your child together to support emotional and mental wellbeing, help you understand each other better, and strengthen the relationship.
Sessions are carefully paced and tailored, recognising that every child and family is different. Compassion and empathy are central to my work, and developing trust with both parents and children is always a priority.
I have undertaken DDP Level 1 and Level 2 training, and am on the DDP practicum.
Additional therapeutic interventions offered:
Therapeutic Parenting - supporting parents and carers with practical strategies and a reflective space to help them feel confident and connected in their parenting.
Theraplay-informed sessions - to strengthen attachment, promote trust, and build safe, nurturing relationships.
EMDR for Children and Young People - offering an evidence-based approach to help children process and recover from traumatic experiences.
Venues:
One Ash House, Loughborough Road, Quorn, LE12 8UE (on a Friday).
Online.
Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to have a chat about the support I can offer through the ASGSF: contact us
