Category Archives: Therapy

Reparative Attachment Therapy

Posted on February 12, 2014 by colbypearce

Reparative Attachment Therapy is the name used to refer to Colby’s therapeutic approach when treating children who have experienced the devastating effects of abuse, neglect, family violence and loss during their early developmental years. Key elements of Colby’s approach appear … Continue reading →

Posted in AAA Caregiving, Adoption, Attachment, Fostering, Therapy, Trauma | Tagged AAA caregiving, AAA parenting, adoption, anxiety, attachment, Attachment Disorder, attachment therapy, behaviour management, behaviour problems, child psychologist Adelaide, child trauma, childrens behaviour, fostering, kinship care, parenting, residential care, Secure Start | Leave a comment

In order to be heard we first need to listen

Posted on February 2, 2014 by colbypearce

I think a lot about the concept of validation; and its antithesis, invalidation. In psychological terms, validation incorporates the experience that our thoughts, feelings, perspectives and intentions are understood, accepted and respected by significant others. Conversely, invalidation incorporates the experience … Continue reading →

Posted in Favourites, Therapy, Wellbeing | Tagged child psychologist, child psychologist Adelaide, invalidation, psychology, resilience, validation, wellbeing | Leave a comment

Attachment Trauma

Posted on February 17, 2013 by colbypearce

If you looking for easy-to-read, high quality information about the effects of trauma in primary attachment relationships (hereafter referred to as attachment trauma), and what can be done to treat its effects during childhood, please visit my new page at securestart.com.au. … Continue reading →

Posted in AAA Caregiving, Adoption, Attachment, Fostering, Parenting, Therapy, Trauma | Tagged AAA caregiving, Adelaide, adoption, attachment, Attachment Disorder, attachment therapy, child psychologist, child trauma, fostering, parenting | 3 Comments

Attachment Therapy Revisited

Posted on December 14, 2012 by colbypearce

Back in July I published a post about attachment therapy for children who have experienced family trauma. This has been a popular post and resulted in my fielding a request to prepare a more detailed account of my approach to … Continue reading →

Posted in AAA Caregiving, Adoption, Attachment, Fostering, Therapy, Trauma | Tagged AAA caregiving, AAA parenting, attachment, Attachment Disorder, attachment therapy, child psychologist, child trauma, development, fostering, kinship care | Leave a comment

Support Secure Start

Posted on July 30, 2012 by colbypearce

Dear Readers, If you appreciate receiving information presented in this blog, please support me by visiting the website for my child and family psychology practice, Secure Start®. In doing so, you will assist me to continue to support children and … Continue reading →

Posted in Attachment, Parenting, Therapy | Tagged Adelaide, adoption, anxiety, arousal, attachment, Attachment Disorder, attachment therapy, behaviour management, behaviour problems, child psychologist, child trauma, childrens behaviour, fostering, parenting, resilience, tantrums | 1 Comment

Attachment therapy for children who have experienced family trauma

Posted on July 5, 2012 by colbypearce

I am frequently asked by other professionals about what I do and what to do when referred a child who has experienced family trauma. What follows is a brief description of my work with these children. It is written with … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Attachment, Favourites, Fostering, Parenting, Resilience, Therapy, Trauma, Wellbeing | Tagged Adelaide, adoption, anxiety, arousal, attachment, Attachment Disorder, attachment therapy, Australia, child psychologist, child trauma, development, fostering, parenting | 5 Comments

Taming Tantrums; Managing Meltdowns: Part Two

Posted on January 13, 2012 by colbypearce

In Part One of this series, I refer to the fact that the management of severe tantrums and meltdowns in children is an arousal management issue, rather than a behaviour management issue. In this second part of the series, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Attachment, Children's Behaviour, Favourites, Fostering, Parenting, Resilience, Therapy, Trauma, Wellbeing | Tagged Adelaide, adoption, anxiety, arousal, attachment, Attachment Disorder, Australia, behaviour management, behaviour problems, child psychologist, child trauma, children, childrens behaviour, development, fostering, high emotion, meltdowns, music, parenting, resilience, tantrums, wellbeing | 9 Comments

Taming Tantrums; Managing Meltdowns: Part One

Posted on January 1, 2012 by colbypearce

In my practice one of the more common presenting problems is severe tantrums, or meltdowns, in children. Common reactions among adults who care for these children include frustration, embarrassment, desperation and helplessness. Typically, these otherwise competent parents have tried a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Attachment, Children's Behaviour, Favourites, Fostering, Parenting, Resilience, Therapy, Trauma, Wellbeing | Tagged Adelaide, adoption, anxiety, arousal, attachment, Attachment Disorder, Australia, behaviour management, behaviour problems, child psychologist, children, development, fostering, high emotion, meltdowns, parenting, tantrums | 4 Comments

Survive the School Holidays

Posted on November 25, 2011 by colbypearce

Stress is a major cause of demanding and unsettled behaviour in children. Under stress, the brains of children are hard-wired to set off behaviours associated with the fight-flight-freeze response: Fight: Controlling, aggressive, destructive and demanding behaviour, hyperactivity Flight: Running off, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Attachment, Children's Behaviour, Favourites, Fostering, Parenting, Resilience, Therapy, Trauma, Wellbeing | Tagged Adelaide, adoption, anxiety, arousal, attachment, Australia, behaviour management, behaviour problems, child psychologist, child trauma, childrens behaviour, development, fostering, meltdowns, parenting, resilience, school, tantrums, wellbeing | 1 Comment

How parental expectations influence emotional involvement with our children

Posted on October 21, 2011 by colbypearce

I am the father of three boys. I am also a Clinical Psychologist with more than sixteen years experience in child and family psychology. I have conducted more than 1000 assessments of children and their parents in child protection and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Attachment, Children's Behaviour, Favourites, Fostering, Parenting, Resilience, Therapy, Trauma, Wellbeing | Tagged Adelaide, adoption, anxiety, arousal, attachment, Attachment Disorder, Australia, behaviour management, behaviour problems, child psychologist, child trauma, childrens behaviour, development, fostering, meltdowns, parenting, resilience, tantrums, wellbeing | 1 Comment

Disclaimer: While great care is taken to ensure that the advice on this site is widely applicable and based on sound psychological science, it may not suit the individual circumstances of all visitors. If you have any concerns about applicability to your circumstances, please consult a qualified professional near to you.
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