Courses
Professional Certificate in Therapeutic Life Story Work (formerly Advanced Certificate)

Professional Certificate in Therapeutic Life Story Work (formerly Advanced Certificate)

TLSW enables children and young people who have experienced trauma of child abuse and neglect, and who are struggling with the pain of their past, to reflect, develop compassion for themselves and move on.

Delivered by: Richard Rose Sean Twomey Linda Huggan Laura Booth

Professional Certificate in Therapeutic Life Story Work (formerly Advanced Certificate)

£1000 + VAT

6 days
Remote

Enquire now

What you’ll learn

Understand the value and components of TLSW
Understand the various models of information collation
Communicate with children and understand their emotions
Interpret and make best use of opportunities in the process
Improve skills in working with children in terms of life narratives
Address sensitive and painful issues and turn these into acceptance
Address trauma and loss with empathic understanding
Create life story books which are useful, valuable and represent the child

Course content

Day 1 – 2: The Model and Theory of TLSW
Day 3: Attachment, Trauma and Recovery
Day 4: Memory and Trauma Intervention Models
Day 5: Case work and Conundrums plus review of interventions
Day 6: Reflection, Endings, Reports and the Books

Description

Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW) enables children and young people who have experienced trauma of child abuse and neglect, and who are struggling with the pain of their past, to reflect, develop compassion for themselves and move on. It is a defined approach, designed to introduce the past as markers for the present. Once these are understood, the child is supported in considering how to move on to make significant changes, as a result of a far deeper understanding and awareness of how their history has been negatively impacting on their present.

In this six-day intensive series, you will gain an in-depth understanding of Therapeutic Life Story Work practice and its incredible healing potential for children or adults who have experienced trauma or hardships that impact their ability to grasp a cohesive life narrative.

Attending this course will entitle you to 3 months student subscription as a member of TLSWi with access to course resources, support and information, and the opportunity to meet and share learning with fellow students and former alumni from across the globe.

If you are intending to practice the Rose Model in Therapeutic Life Story Work within your organisation/Local Authority, as a taught course, the Professional Certificate will provide you with only the ‘tools’ to complete the work with a child or young person.

If you are planning on delivering TLSW as an independent worker it is recommended that you attend the Diploma course, the next intake for which will be September 2026, as on completion of this course delegates are awarded the protected title of ‘Certified TLSW Practitioner’ which is not achievable by attending the Professional Certificate course.

If you are an independent worker, wishing to add to your toolbox and enhance your knowledge and tools as part of the existing work you are doing, then you would be able to attend the Professional Certificate course but this would not equip you to provide Therapeutic Life Story Work independently as a ‘Certified TLSW Practitioner’.

TLSWi is regularly contacted by Local Authorities, RAAs and other agencies requesting confirmation of those who have completed either the Professional Certificate or Diploma course in order to commission TLSW. As an organisation we are not able to take responsibility for the practice of independent workers who have completed the Professional Certificate as this is a taught course only which does not qualify a delegate for practice as a ‘Certified TLSW Practitioner’.

Supervision
TLSWi mandates that all practitioners and students involved in TLSW participate in regular supervision. This requirement ensures that standards of practice are consistently upheld. Furthermore, it supports the ongoing development of practitioners’ skills, ideally under the guidance of a supervisor who has in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Rose Model.

Course Dates
Block 1 – 4, 5, 6 November 2026
Block 2 – 11, 12, 13 November 2026

Please contact [email protected] for further information and application form.

Professional Certificate 6 day course attendee feedback – April 2026

The course was genuinely unbelievable. I found it incredibly powerful, meaningful and professionally enriching. It has given me not only a deeper understanding of Therapeutic Life Story Work, but also a greater appreciation of how important this approach is for children and young people who have experienced trauma, loss, disruption and fractured identity.

Richard was, and is, an absolute inspiration. His knowledge, passion and ability to bring the work to life was exceptional. What stood out most for me was the humanity behind the model. This was not just training; it felt like a real reminder of why this work matters and why children deserve adults who are brave enough to help them understand their story, rather than avoid it.

I am genuinely excited to take this learning forward within our organisation and embed Therapeutic Life Story Work in a way that is thoughtful, ethical and impactful for the young people we care for.

Please pass on my sincere thanks to Richard and the wider team. It has been a privilege to complete this course, and I am very proud to have gained the certificate.

Requirements

You must have at least two years of experience in working with children, young people and/or adults and will be required to complete a short application form confirming your reasons for wanting to attend and complete the course
Computer, tablet or smartphone to view live tuition via Zoom
Delegates must complete all 6 days of learning to receive a certificate of completion

Enquiries

Have a question?

If you have any general questions about THEiA’s courses please contact us.

Success Stories

"This has been really amazing and so unbelievably helpful. Shall be recommending you without a doubt. This should be part of adoption training. Thank you so much."

Care Excellence Programme Adoptive parent - November 2024

You might also be interested in…

Popular

Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Life Story Work

TLSW (Rose Model) will benefit those working with traumatised children and young people, including those working in child protection, youth justice, family support, counselling, therapy, education, early years, social work and psychology. After successfully completing the Diploma course, students will be awarded the protected title of 'Certified Practitioner'. The course is delivered by Richard Rose and guest facilitators, please refer to the handbook for more details.

12 days

Communicating & Direct Work with Traumatised Children & Teens

This one-day course provides an opportunity to consider communication techniques for traumatised children aimed specifically at those working with children between 3 and 18 years of age.

7 total hours
Remote