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Therapeutic Life Story Work - child trauma training

Boy lying on floor colouring in

Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW)

Berry Street is pleased to partner with Richard Rose TLSW International and Elise Saunders TLSW Australia to deliver training to Australian practitioners in Therapeutic Life Story Work. Through our Professional Learning and Development Team we deliver one day introductory workshops throughout the year and more intensive opportunities through a Professional Certificate or Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Life Story Work.

TLSW explained

Therapeutic Life Story Work enables children and young people who have experienced the 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 essence, Therapeutic Life Story Work is not just about the who, what, where, when, why and how, but how a painful past, if not reflected on and worked through, can go on to blight the present and future. Instead, if we can help children to think about their history of trauma and loss, to understand its origins and effects, we can identify and understand the ‘ghosts of the past’ so children are no longer haunted by them. For more information visit the TLSWi website.

To hear more about Therapeutic Life Story Work and the journey of Richard Rose please find below a link to his latest podcast with Megan Corcoran from Wag Tales.

Professional Certificate in TLSW

The Professional Certificate in Therapeutic Life Story Work is a six-day online course designed for skilled therapeutic practitioners who already have intermediate knowledge and experience in trauma-informed care and are working with children and young people who have been impacted by trauma.

Over the six sessions students will learn the stages, tools and practice of this therapeutic intervention.

The Professional Certificate is ideal for practitioners working in an organisation where there is already Therapeutic Life Story work being conducted or for skilled practitioners who want to add this intervention to their current role.
 

Course criteria

To be eligible to complete the Professional Certificate course potential students must meet, and agree to, the following criteria:

  • students must have a bachelor degree in any of the following; Social Work, Psychology, Education, Social Science, Health Sciences or Occupation Therapy or similar field
  • students will need (direct or indirect) experience of the Child Protection System.
  • it is expected that students have two plus years working in a therapeutic role with young people or adults who are impacted by early life trauma and therefore will be able to demonstrate proficiency in counselling / therapeutic skills.
  • you intend using the knowledge gained in the area of Therapeutic Life Story Work, in a professional capacity and not with any personal relationships you have with children and young people in foster, kinship or permanent care.
  • attend 100% of the 6 teaching days to achieve an attendance pass.
  • it is expected that you will have read Richard Rose's' Life Story Therapy with Traumatised Children - A Model for Practice' (2012), prior to commencing the course.

Cost

Current course fees are: $2,400 (inc. GST) per student, and are subject to change.
 

The Professional Certificate course runs independently of the Professional Diploma. Registrations for October 2026 are now open.

Professional Diploma in TLSW

The Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Life Story Work is a comprehensive 12-day course (delivered over 12-months) based on Richard Rose's 'Life Story Therapy with Traumatised Children - A Model for Practice' (2012). It is designed to equip participants with the skills, knowledge and experience to undertake Therapeutic Life Story Work with children and young people during the course of their work.

This more intensive course will require students to complete assessments outside of classroom time and demonstrate their competency to deliver the intervention. Upon successful completion of this course, students are awarded Certified Practitioner status.

The Professional Diploma is ideal for practitioners who want to be supported through their learning journey receiving feedback on their theoretical knowledge, application, practical tools, and assessment models of the work they conduct with their chosen child, young person or adult.

The course is delivered over four teaching blocks (3 online and 1 in-person) that is generally delivered as follows:

Block 1 - July (online)
Block 2 - October (online)
Block 3 - February (online)
Block 4 - May (in-person in Melbourne ONLY)

Course admission criteria

  • each student must secure a child or young person up the age of 25 to work with during the period of the course and necessary permission to do so
  • students will need some (direct or indirect) experience of the Child Protection System
  • students are expected have a minimum qualification and be able to demonstrate proficiency in counselling / therapeutic skills. If it becomes apparent that a student does not have the sufficient knowledge and skills in this area, the Course Director will recommend completing a short course in counselling skills
  • the intention is to use Therapeutic Life Story Work in a professional capacity and not with any personal relationships you have with children and young people in foster, kinship or permanent care
  • students must attend more than 80% of the 12 teaching days to achieve an attendance pass
  • students are expected to have have read Richard Rose's Life Story Therapy with Traumatised Children and the pre-reading that will sent upon registration, prior to the commencement of the course.

No prior knowledge of TLSW is required to join the course.

The next course will commence in July 2026. Click here to register.

Cost

Current course fees are: $4,850 (inc. GST) per student and are subject to change.
 

Please contact us as learning@berrystreet.org.au for more information and upcoming course dates or tailored training options with Richard or Elise.