Enhancing Household Cohesion and Stability: A Systemic Approach to Trauma-Informed Therapy for Carers and Children

Kökçinar and Nunn presented “Enhancing Household Cohesion and Stability: A Systemic Approach to Trauma-Informed Therapy for Carers and Children” at the 2024 Helen Mayo Perinatal & Infant Mental Health Conference. The pair explored how family systems and trauma-informed practice intersect to support carers and the children in their care. The presentation framed challenges such as behavioural dysregulation, attachment disruptions and caregiver stress not as isolated problems but as relational dynamics shaped by past trauma and ongoing interaction patterns. Kökçinar and Nunn drew on broader trauma-informed and systemic approaches that prioritise safety, relational attunement and collaborative support for families experiencing complexity and distress.

The session emphasised ways therapists and practitioners can strengthen household cohesion and stability by attending to both the emotional needs of children impacted by trauma and the wellbeing and reflective capacity of their carers. Their proposed approach prioritises validating experiences, building shared understanding, and integrating trauma-aware strategies to foster connection, co-regulation and resilience in family relationships.

Full reference:

Kökçinar, R. R., Nunn, C. (2024) Enhancing Household Cohesion and Stability: A Systemic Approach to Trauma-Informed Therapy for Carers and Children. Helen Mayo Perinatal & Infant Mental Health Conference, Adelaide South Australia.