Adolescence is a period of enormous growth and change where the typically developing teenager has to navigate a growing need for autonomy, a journey of self-discovery and an innate desire and drive to belong.
Considering this, it is clear that the adolescent journey into adult hood is already difficult. Add a history of trauma to the demands and struggles of this developmental stage and the journey becomes increasingly more complex.
Parenting such a teenager is equally complex, but there is hope. With the help of supportive and caring adults who understand the impact of trauma, who connect with their teen and continue to relate through an attuned and sensitive relationship, a teenager can recover. In this type of relationship, an adolescent can be helped to rebuild a felt sense of safety, the very thing that a traumatic experience can erode.

“From Trauma Reactive to Trauma Responsive – Supporting Parents of Teenagers Navigating a Trauma History” is a Webinar to support participants to learn about:-

• Typical adolescent development
• The impact of trauma on your child’s lived world
• Compassionate responding to trauma induced behaviours using the C. A.L.M. response
• Parent-child connection to rebuild a secure base and a renewed felt sense of safety

Facilitator: Aideen Flynn

Aideen Flynn has worked with children in educational settings for 20 years, starting as a mainstream primary teacher, moving into SEN working specifically with children with an ASD diagnosis and then with children with complex needs.

Aideen is now a child and adolescent psychotherapist helping children, parents and teachers work together to enable the struggling child be the best he or she can be.

Aideen has her own private practice; “The Treasure Within” in Quin, Co. Clare and also facilitates parenting workshops and trauma informed teaching workshops both locally and nationally. The focus of all workshops is to empower the participants to be the agent of change in their child’s struggle. In each facilitation, the participant receives a multi-layered approach of theory and experiential learning.

Aideen is an accredited member of the Irish Association of Playtherapists and Psychotherapists.