The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
CHILD TRAUMA EXPERT TO VISIT KERRY
EDEL’S ENDEAVOUR FINALLY PAYS OFF AS WORLD FAMOUS CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST SET TO ADDRESS TRALEE AUDIENCE
DR Bruce Perry – one of the world’s leading experts in child trauma and therapy – will address a sell-out conference at The Rose Hotel, Tralee, this Friday and it’s all down to the endeavor of Edel Lawlor who for the past five years persevered in her hope Dr Perry might one day visit Kerry for a key conference.
Dr Perry has researched and published extensively on theory, neuroscience, trauma and brain development and he has developed influential practices to help children affected by trauma.
Dr Perry has worked with traumatised children following such disasters as 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Waco siege and Columbine High School massacre and his visit to Kerry is much anticipated by people working with children across a cross-section of services.
It’s also a hugely exciting time for Edel who works as a child and adolescent psychotherapist specialising in play therapy at her ‘Expressive Play Centre’ in Kilflynn. Edel has over 20-years’ experience working with children and families from a variety of different backgrounds and it was during her time working at a Women’s Refuge that Edel first discovered the benefits of Dr Perry’s work.
“I worked in a Women’s Refuge for a time and have 10-years’ experience with children who experienced trauma through domestic violence. I tended to get caught up in waiting for the children to talk about what it was like for them and about the trauma that impacted on their lives, but the stories did not come,” said Edel.
“But what the children were doing was revealing their experiences through behaviour, body movement and play. That’s when I needed to find out more about trauma so I read Dr Perry’s work and then it all made sense because very young children won’t tell of their experiences, verbally. I contacted Dr Perry 5-years ago asking him to come to Kerry but he was always busy. So I persisted and eventually I received an email 8 months ago to say he would come.”
Over 300 people will now attend Friday’s conference from across all sectors of childcare, including school principals, social workers, HSE representatives, psychiatrists, therapists, parents, Judge James O’Connor and Oliver Mawe of Tusla Child and Family Agency with childcare professionals from the UK also travelling to Tralee for the event.
Dr Perry will present an overview on such important themes as principles of brain development and how the latter can be impacted by experience; implications and strategies for working with traumatised children; the neurobiological power of play, and therapeutic interventions and self-care and self-regulation.
“It’s absolutely brilliant Dr Perry is coming to Kerry and the interest is huge.
“This is not only an important event for Tralee but for Ireland itself given his international reputation and lots of people are travelling from outside the county and country to be at the conference.
“The fact Dr Perry will share his experiences on what works and helps children to heal and how we can apply this to our own work is very significant.
“The conference is all about raising the voice of children and that’s what’s most important for me,” Edel added.