Beyond Talk Therapy: What We Learned at Transform Trauma Oxford 

Recently, our Director Andre Palmer and Practice Manager Jenna Pearman joined other members of the Mosaic team for three days at Transform Trauma Oxford alongside 4,000 other professionals – to better understand how to help people heal from trauma. 

They returned inspired and energised, with fresh insights that will directly shape how we support the children and families in our care. 

The Body Keeps the Score – And Shows Us The Way Forward 

If you’ve spent any time around trauma-informed care, you’ve probably heard of Bessel van der Kolk’s book The Body Keeps the Score. It’s been inspirational for so many people working in this field, and hearing him speak in person was a real highlight for our team. 

His message is simple but profound – trauma doesn’t just live in our thoughts and memories. It lives in our bodies. And that changes everything about how we approach healing. 

While much of the conference focused on adults, what kept striking our team was the thread that ran through every session – the impact of adverse childhood experiences on later life. It’s a stark reminder of why what we do matters so much and why getting it right for children now can change the trajectory of their entire lives. 

There Are Many Pathways To Healing From Trauma 

A further theme that ran throughout the conference was the multiple ways children can begin to recover from trauma, beyond that of traditional talking therapies. 

We’ve always known that sitting down for a verbal therapy session isn’t the right approach for every child. Some aren’t ready to put words to their experiences yet. Others find their way to healing through play, movement, art, or simply feeling safe in their body again. 

The conference showcased innovative whole-body and whole-mind approaches to trauma treatment that opened up new possibilities for supporting children’s recovery. 

Bringing Learning Back To Practice 

As a therapeutic fostering agency, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of trauma-informed care. The insights gained at Transform Trauma Oxford will continue to inspire us to develop new and innovative ways for our staff and foster parents to help our children heal and flourish. 

The conference’s theme, Healing Our Relational World, speaks directly to our mission. Healing happens within relationships – between child and foster parent, within the whole family unit, and through the professional support network that surrounds them. 

Our SMILE Therapeutic approach already recognises that healing happens in this way as well as through comprehensive, tailored support. The learning from Oxford will help us enhance and expand our toolkit, ensuring we’re equipped with the very latest thinking in trauma recovery. 

Staying At The Forefront 

The pace of development in trauma research and treatment continues to accelerate. New understanding emerges constantly about what helps children recover and thrive. 

As a therapeutic fostering agency, staying current with this evolving knowledge is essential for us. The children in our care deserve professionals and foster parents who are equipped with the most effective, evidence-based approaches to support them in their journey. 

If you’d like to learn more about how Mosaic’s therapeutic approach supports foster children in their recovery journey, or if you’re considering becoming a foster parent, get in touch with our team today.