Therapeutic Life Story Work (using the Rose Model) is a supportive way of helping children understand their life story, with the important adults around them involved every step of the way.

The work is done by working in threes: the therapist, the child, and the parent or carer. This helps everyone develop a shared understanding of the child’s story. Parents and carers are supported to feel confident talking about the child’s past in a safe, honest, and reassuring way, while the child knows they are not carrying their story alone.

Sessions are creative, flexible, and led at the child’s pace. The focus is on helping the child make sense of what has happened, understand their feelings, and feel safe in their current relationships.

Using this approach helps strengthen trust between the child and their parent or carer, builds emotional understanding, and supports the child to move forward knowing they are supported, understood, and valued. 

Therapeutic Life Story Work is often helpful for children who have been adopted, are in care, or have been through big changes or losses. Most importantly, it helps children feel listened to and shows them that their story really matters.