TACT are thrilled to welcome a therapeutic specialist to their South West team. Ellen Maunder will operate TACT’s Therapeutic Support Groups for their team of foster carers, which will occur monthly.

Ellen is a qualified Systemic (Family and Couples) Psychotherapist. Alongside working with TACT carers and children, Ellen also works in an NHS Specialist CAMHS team with children, young people and their parents/carers who have been affected by war, migration, displacement, loss and trauma. Ellen is a tutor and trainer for the Institute of Family Therapy and has a small private practice working with care-experienced children, young people and families.

Being a foster carer for children who have experienced complex trauma and/or attachment disruption requires skill and professional support. Often, children’s traumatic experiences lead to them viewing the world as threatening and relationships as untrustworthy. This can lead to pattern-forming behaviours with regards to their interpersonal relationships which can quickly spiral into an unmanageable situation. 

Ellen hopes that the sessions will offer carers a non-judgemental space to reflect on experiences within a supportive peer group. Additionally, there will be opportunities to discuss behaviours and topics which could contribute meaningfully to the group’s skills, successes and resources. Engaging in trauma-informed conversations about hopes and difficulties could strengthen resilience and overall understanding of the emotional world of the children in their care.

Therapeutic tools, techniques and resources for supporting children and young people will be provided.

Ellen will offer a space for sharing, discussion and networking, as well as opportunities to introduce important relevant topics (such as routines and boundaries, transitions, supporting emotional regulation, friendship issues, sex and relationships and self-esteem etc) as requested by the group. 

She will also be available for 1-1 debriefs and consultations to provide space to foster carers who would like to discuss topics in more depth.

Welcome on board Ellen – your expertise and experience will be invaluable to our South West team of foster fosters!

Read more about our Support.