top of page

The Secure Base Model and Dyadic Development Psychotherapy (DDP) are the main therapeutic frameworks used by the clinical team. 

The central focus of the therapeutic approach is to provide sensitive caregiving that develops secure relationships attuned to the needs of the children we work with. These relationships help children to recover from previous harmful experiences in close relationships enabling them to feel competent to face future challenges successfully- as well as fulfilling their potential. 

Resilience is associated with :

The clinical team has capacity to deliver a range of direct therapies proven by research to be effective for developmental, relational and complex trauma. The therapy team provide psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy as well as talking therapies such as CBT or Trauma Focused CBT. 

a sense of security,
self-esteem,
self-efficacy,
a capacity to reflect feelings and hopefulness for the future

all key characteristics of secure attachment. 

Psychological Therapies 

Clinical Psychology 

Art Psychotherapy 

Speech and Language Therapy 

Play Therapy 

Direct Therapies 

Depression 

Anxiety 

Attachment difficulties 

Interpersonal and relationship difficulties 

Trauma/Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 

Low self-esteem 

Self-harm 

Emotion regulation difficulties 

Therapeutic Life Story Work 

The Timeout Clinical Team currently offers: 

Given the long-term and deep seated nature of developmental trauma, although children can benefit from therapy it is likely that they will continue to need support as they grow and develop, in order to prevent them ‘reverting’ or regressing to their previous coping strategies. The content and processes of these therapies may vary according to the child’s chronological age, developmental age and type of trauma experienced. We believe that therapy as a standalone method is insufficient; therefore we use an integrated model of care to encompass attachment and security throughout the care, therapy and education relationship. 

Clinical Psychology includes the use of multi-eclectic approaches in therapy. This includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Dyadic Development Psychotherapy. The psychology team will conduct a detailed assessment before deciding which therapeutic approach will be most suitable for treatment. The team will be led by clinical interviews with the young person, their family and social worker but also by objective psychometric measures prior to formulation of difficulties. Formulation is a key aspect of therapy and involves using theory to make sense of a child’s early adverse experiences on their psychopathology, relationships and their views about themselves. 

Clinical Psychology 

SALT provides assessment, therapy, support and care for children and young people with primary speech, language and communication difficulties. Difficulties surrounding SALT intervention are often common in children and young people with developmental delay, diagnoses such as ASD, social emotional and mental health needs and/or can be specific to a language difficulty (known as Developmental Language Disorder). 

Speech and Language Therapy 

Art Psychotherapy is an evidence-based therapy suitable for children of all ages. The therapist supports the child to express themselves using the medium of art. Some individuals who have experienced early life trauma can struggle to put words to their experiences and therefore the use of art can support them to be able to explore and process these memories without the need for words. The use of art can therefore be particularly helpful for children who have experienced early life trauma especially if they were pre-verbal when this occurred. 

Art Psychotherapy 

bottom of page