My Story

James was 5 years old when he was referred to the Centre. He is a little boy who has suffered severe physical abuse during the first three years of his life. During these years James was in foster care for short periods then returned home where he experienced further physical abuse. James was adopted at age 3 years.

As a result of the traumas he had suffered James' development was considerably delayed in several areas. As well as delays in language, toilet training, play etc James was showing delay in emotional, psychological and social development. He found it very difficult to settle, experienced sleep difficulties, was very anxious and could not trust adults. These difficulties were especially noticeable in nursery and when he started school.

Although an intelligent little boy he found the ordinary demands of nursery and school overwhelming. He was greatly anxious and frightened and at times would barricade himself behind tables and chairs. At other times he displayed very aggressive behaviour towards his peers and adults. He was not able to sustain the full time at school and his time had to be reduced. As a direct result of his traumas James was not able to use what school were offering to help him learn.

After assessment James was offered a place in a Play Therapy group. His parents and school staff were supported by the Psychologist from the Centre. The aim of this in-put was to help James' parents and teachers understand the effects of the traumas he had suffered, to gain insight into his emotional state and to manage his difficult behaviour in a containing and effective way.

To date James has had 22 group play therapy sessions. He has improved greatly in terms of his all round development. The stability of his adoptive placement, speech therapy and play therapy have enabled James to re-visit some of his early experiences in a safe way with adults who respond to him in a way that enables him to develop healthily. James can now experience adults as people who can nurture him, care for him and protect him from harm.

James is showing improvement in all areas of his development. His sleep patterns have been established and his aggressive behaviour and temper tantrums have greatly reduced. He is able to sustain a full day at school and is learning. He is establishing peer relationships and is forming strong attachments to his adoptive parents.

In-put from the Centre's psychologist enabled James parents and teachers to gain a greater understanding of James and his behaviour so that they were able to learn new ways of responding to him and managing his feelings and difficult behaviour.