Life Story Work
Helping Young People Understand Their History & Process Trauma
Trauma Processing
Trauma Processing
Become a Certified Therapeutic Life Story Work Practitioner!
The Next Cohort Starts In September 2026 - Don't Miss Out!
Unlock the Power of Therapeutic Life Story Work:
Transform Lives with Expert Training
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of young people who have experienced trauma and have complex life story needs? Our Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW) Training Course equips you with the specialist skills needed to guide young people through their personal narratives, helping them heal, grow, and thrive.
Why Train In Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW)?
TLSW goes beyond traditional Life Story Work by integrating powerful therapeutic techniques to support young people in processing past trauma and overcoming psychological challenges. This structured, psychodynamic approach combines elements of several therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Play Therapy to provide deep, meaningful support.
What You Will Gain
- Expert-Led Training: Learn from experienced therapeutic practitioners.
- Practical Skills: Master techniques for restructuring maladaptive beliefs, addressing attachment issues, and supporting emotional healing.
- Therapeutic Insight: Understand behavioural patterns, trauma responses, and psychological challenges in young people.
- Confidence & Competency: Develop the skills needed to deliver TLSW ethically and effectively.
- 16 Months of Supervision: Receive guidance and support to refine your practice.
- Therapeutic Life Story Work Certification: Gain recognition of your expertise in TLSW
What Is Therapeutic Life Story Work For?
Ideal for social workers, therapists, psychologists, and experienced practitioners who want to deepen their therapeutic skills and confidently deliver structured, trauma-informed Life Story Work..
Join our TLSW training and become a skilled practitioner, ready to empower young people, reshape their stories, and support their healing journey.
Join the Next Cohort of Therapeutic Life Story Work Training!
Our next Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW) training program kicks off in September 2026 and runs until June 2027. Don't miss this opportunity to gain expert skills, certification, and supervision in this transformative approach.
The first step in applying for the course is to complete an Expression of Interest form. Once submitted, you'll receive detailed applicant information and the opportunity to proceed with your full course application.!
Take the first step today – complete the form and begin your journey!
Check Out the BJSW Published Paper: What is Life Story Work? How defining approaches can bring clarity to research, training & practice (Neal & Matthews, 2024)
testimonials-
What some of our previous trainees have said
"Therapeutic Life Story Work Training significantly influenced my professional development. I have become increasingly aware of the importance of therapeutic thinking rather than simply following a model. I a not more comfortable with uncertainty, more reflective in my approach, and more confident in adapting my practice to meet the needs of each child.
Cath
Practicing Registrant
Cardiff
"On this training I have connected with Therapeutic Life Story Work peers and trainers to continue to learn and turn to for support, a true value as an independent practitioner to proactively prevent isolation"
Liz
Independent Social Worker
Norfolk
"Therapeutic Life Story Work training has strengthened my understanding that good therapeutic practice depends not only on knowledge of a model, but also on the quality of relationships, judgement, and support systems surrounding the work"
Ros
Senior Residential Worker
County Durham
"Since completing training in Therapeutic Life Story Work I realise that it is much more than gathering and sharing information. It requires careful planning, therapeutic decision-making and ongoing reflection to ensure the work remains safe for the child."
Bron
Social Care Practitioner
Merthyr Tydfil
Express An Interest
Join the Next Cohort of Therapeutic Life Story Work Training!
- Expert-Led Training: Learn from experienced therapeutic practitioners.
- Practical Skills: Master techniques for restructuring maladaptive beliefs, addressing attachment issues, and supporting emotional healing.
- Therapeutic Insight: Understand behavioural patterns, trauma responses, and psychological challenges in young people.
- Confidence & Competency: Develop the skills needed to deliver TLSW ethically and effectively.
- On-going Supervision: Receive guidance and support to refine your practice.
- Therapeutic Life Story Work Certification: Gain recognition of your expertise in TLSW
Express An Interest!
I am Enquiring For:
Preferred date:
If enquiring for yourself please fill out the fields below
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Why train in Therapeutic Life Story Work?
The need for effective Life Story Work is increasingly being recognised as essential for care experienced young people to support their wellbeing, mental health and integration into the family with which they live. Policy and practice guidance states that it should be integrated into care planning, carer training and practice. Many organisations have however found it difficult to effectively integrate Life Story Work into practice and support skill and confidence in its delivery. For many young people who have complex psychological challenges, TLSW provides the necessary mix of psychoeducation, a narrative approach and tailored therapeutic structured support that can aid their understanding and support their emotional well-being.
This course is CPD registered and includes 100 CPD credits.
The five approaches from least to most intensive
What does the training include?
Therapeutic Life Story Work Training
- Facilitators: Run by Laura Neal or Kim Matthews, Life Story Therapists and authors of the BJSW published What Is Life Story Work paper.
- Where: Held in person in Cardiff.
- When: Expressions of interest are open.
- Who Is The Training For: This course is suitable for qualified professionals or therapists who want to expand their skills and therapeutic development. Please get in touch if you are not sure about your role.
- Why Attend: This course not only includes core information needed to understand the foundations of the approaches to Life Story Work, but teaches step-by-step a model for delivering Therapeutic Life Story work, including real life examples, role play and practical resources, and when to seek additional support.
- Can Questions Be Asked: Yes, this course is an interactive course where the trainers take time to integrate views, opinions, your real life examples and answer specific questions.
What Does The Training Cover?
The Therapeutic life story work course walks delegates through a step-by-step programme of therapeutic direct work that includes core elements of effective life story work as well as how and when to integrate tools from other therapeutic approaches such as CBT, ACT and Play Therapy and can also be adapted to the young person’s needs and story.
