Therapeutic Life Story work involves a qualified therapeutic practitioner guiding the young person through a coherent written narrative of their life history while integrating therapeutic techniques to support them to heal from past trauma and current psychological difficulties.

TLSW is a psychodynamic therapy and can therefore incorporate elements of several different therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Play Therapy. Therapeutic qualifications and additional skills enable the practitioner to therapeutically explore the complex emotional, psychological and behavioural needs that some young person present with. Like LSDW, TLSW is a planned and structured process that includes the practitioner having access to information about the young persons history and creating a written narrative. This written narrative forms the basis of therapy sessions.

Some of the core practices include restructuring of maladaptive core beliefs, consideration of behavioural contingencies that developed from adverse childhood experiences, psychoeducation on attachment relationships and bonds, and exploration of the foundations of psychological challenges, such as feelings of blame and shame. Anyone undertaking TLSW should have additional training and skills to undertake this type of work and should be competent in therapeutic approaches.