AHCT is a holistic therapeutic approach to healing young people emotionally, socially, cognitively and sensorially from the effects of complex trauma. Our theoretical base is informed by the traditions of Attachment, Psychodynamic and Systemic Theory with the cutting edge understanding of Neurodiversity. This means that every child receives evolving bespoke package of interventions.
Therapeutic thinking and understanding are central to the ethos of Compass. We don’t only provide therapy for children, but also offer an on-going wrap-around service to ensure they progress successfully on their therapeutic journey.
We have availability in all of our services to receive referrals of our new therapeutic service: AHCT. AHCT is the Assessment and Healing of Complex Trauma. The therapeutic approach enables us to help children heal from their individual experiences of living with trauma, pain, and loss.
Every young person experiencing this therapy will receive a package of interventions, tailored to their needs.
We have a fully trained team of professionals that deliver therapeutic services across our Fostering, Residential and Education provisions. AHCT is a holistic approach, that involves family, teachers or support staff, everybody in a child’s life working together to help a child heal and recover from their trauma.
Who will benefit from our service?
Since complex trauma affects unconscious portions of the brain, non-talking therapy is highly beneficial to heal and sooth the unconscious, inner world of the child.
Healing Therapeutic Environment
Complex trauma requires a range of therapies to address the various stages that the child is functioning within. Trauma also impacts the portion of the brain responsible for survival, a person who suffers from complex trauma either becomes numb (hypo-aroused) to the trauma, or they hyper-react to the slightest hint of danger.
The therapy intervention needs to fit the emotional and cognitive functioning age of the young person as well as the chronological age. This can also change over time, determined by the progress and need of the individual.
Within our Compass School setting, therapy will take place during the school day, within the school. Our Compass therapist will liaise closely with staff in the school, making links with carers/family members where relevant. If appropriate, parents/ foster carers may be invited into some of the therapy sessions. Our Therapeutic Coordinators will also be enhancing the emotional support one day a week.
