Trauma Informed Conversations

Jessica Parker
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Hosted by the team behind Trauma Informed Consultancy Services, led by Jessica Parker, Director at TICS. This podcast explores how trauma-informed principles can transform the way we live, work, lead, and support others. Each episode dives into real-world conversations with experts, educators, and practitioners who are driving positive change through compassion, understanding, and awareness. Whether you’re a leader, educator, clinician, or simply someone who wants to build safer and more supportive environments, Trauma Informed Conversations offers practical insights, reflective dialogue, and inspiring stories to help you embed trauma-informed approaches in every aspect of life and work. Join us as we create space for empathy, learning, and meaningful connection — one conversation at a time.

  1. 2d ago

    Nature, Belonging, and Regulation with Cat Jolleys

    In this episode of Trauma Informed Conversations, host Jessica Parker is joined by TICS Associate Cat Jolleys. Drawing on her 24-year background as a primary school deputy head and SENCo, as well as her current work as a forest school leader and nature practitioner, Cat explores the deep connection between the natural environment and nervous system regulation.  Starting with John Muir’s famous quote "We are now in the mountains and they are in us" - Jess and Cat discuss how stepping outside shifts us from "what is wrong with you" to an environment of low demand, safety, and sensory restoration. From neuroplasticity and tree climbing to mindfulness around a campfire, this conversation highlights how nature serves as a powerful co-regulator for care-experienced young people, neurodivergent children, and exhausted adults alike.  Key Takeaways The Neurobiology of Outdoors: How natural environments reduce sensory and cognitive overload, allowing children - especially those with additional needs - to regulate faster and stay regulated for longer. Safety in the Woods: Understanding how ancestral instincts influence our need for safety, such as leaning against a tree to guard our backs or creating "dens" to feel cocooned. Attention Restoration Theory: Why just 15 to 20 minutes of scanning nature, feeling sunlight, or hearing bird song can clear cognitive capacity and restore an overwhelmed nervous system. Healing for Parents and Carers: The role of "Nature Well" sessions in offering trauma-informed space for parents of SEND children - giving them permission to rest, be restored, and leave home pressures behind. Practical Inclusivity: How urban schools, social workers, and office workers without direct access to forests can bring nature into daily practice through houseplants, sunlight, and small noticing walks. Guest Cat Jolleys is a TICS Associate, qualified Forest School Leader, and Nature Health and Wellbeing Practitioner based in Greater Manchester. Following a nearly 24-year career in primary education as a Deputy Headteacher and SENCo, Cat pivoted her work toward nature-based wellbeing. She specialises in facilitating child-led outdoor learning, supporting care-experienced and neurodivergent young people, and delivering nature wellbeing sessions that foster relaxation, restoration, and revitalisation.  Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to Trauma Informed Conversations for more honest discussions about trauma, recovery, and building systems rooted in care and humanity.

  2. Jul 21

    Public Health, Prevention, and VR: Shifting Violence from Bad Behaviour to Trauma Responses with Misty Carey

    In this episode, host Jessica is joined by Misty Carey from Tide Education all the way over in Perth, Australia. Misty is a nurse of 30 years who is currently studying a social work masters, bringing a unique lens to the social determinants of health and trauma-informed care.  Together, they explore a fascinating question: What if we approached our first childhood experiences in the same way we approach infectious diseases? Misty unpacks the science behind adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and explains how we can shift our perspective from seeing aggression or dysregulation as "bad behaviour" to understanding it as a survival response from a stressed nervous system.  Join us as we discuss: The Power of Early Prevention: Viewing childhood adversity through a public health lens to prevent downstream violence and health issues. Creating "Off-Ramps": Practical tools and baseline strategies to support individuals who are escalating in high-stress environments like hospitals or youth detention. Systemic and Community Support: Moving away from a culture of blame to wrap our arms around vulnerable families and children. Innovation through VR: How Tide Education is using cutting-edge virtual reality and AI to safely train professionals in empathetic de-escalation and co-regulation. About the Guest Misty Carey is a dedicated healthcare professional with 30 years of nursing experience, currently expanding her expertise by pursuing a Master’s in Social Work. Based in Perth, Australia, she is the founder of Tide Education, where she merges her extensive clinical background with a deep interest in the social determinants of health and human behaviour.  Driven by both professional insight and personal lived experience, Misty is a passionate advocate for trauma-informed care and public health approaches to childhood adversity. Through Tide Education, she pioneers innovative training methods - including the use of cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence - to help professionals across healthcare, justice, and community sectors recognise nervous system dysregulation, provide safety, and master the art of empathetic de-escalation.  Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to Trauma Informed Conversations for more honest discussions about trauma, recovery, and building systems rooted in care and humanity.

  3. Jul 7

    Validation, Expression, and Storytelling: Shifting Emotional Literacy from Control to Connection with Sharon Paterson

    How can parents, educators, and professionals support children in navigating their complex internal worlds and developing true emotional literacy? Far too often, emotional literacy gets confused with emotional control—praising children simply for being calm rather than teaching them how to safely feel, process, and express their big emotions.  In this episode of Trauma Informed Conversations, we sit down with author, illustrator, and children's services veteran Sharon Paterson. Drawing from her 15 years of experience working across secure welfare units, residential homes, and area referral offices, Sharon shares how noticing patterns of unaddressed trauma, neurodiversity, and grief led her to write gentle, non-clinical resources to help children feel safe, held, and validated.  Together, we explore: The Somatic Connection: Helping children look beyond just naming emotions to understand the physical and somatic cues—like a tight tummy or a pounding heart—that their bodies are giving them. High-Status Modeling: Why it is a strength, not a weakness, for adults to model vulnerability, own their mistakes, and offer authentic apologies to children. The Digital Disconnection: How today’s selectively curated and constantly connected social media landscape amplifies youth anxiety, distorts reality, and deepens feelings of isolation. The Power of Bibliotherapy: Using her Bunny and B book series—including Astrin (for bereavement), Tufty (for bullying), and Pitt (for ADHD)—as beautiful co-regulation tools that validate a child's uniqueness. By shifting our lens from judging a child's behavior to being curious about their experiences, we can offer the holistic approach they truly need. Tune in to discover practical insights on building strong emotional foundations and reminding the children in your life that they are always enough.  About the Guest: Sharon Paterson is an author, illustrator, and dedicated advocate for children's emotional wellbeing. Sharon brings an exceptional depth of knowledge to our conversation, backed by nearly 15 years of hands-on experience working within Children’s Services. Her career has spanned critical sectors of youth care, including working in secure welfare units, residential children’s homes, and managing referrals for secure placements.  Throughout her career, Sharon noticed a stark, repeating pattern: a devastatingly high number of young people entering secure care had suffered the unaddressed loss of a primary caregiver or sibling. Driven by these professional insights, her own lived experience as a neurodiverse individual, and her journey supporting her neurodiverse grandson through emotional meltdowns, she realized that children's feelings simply weren't being validated enough. This sparked the creation of Bunny and B - a gorgeous catalog of non-clinical bibliotherapy books designed to give children the vocabulary to understand and own their feelings.  Links & Resources Pip and her Heart Pebble Asterin and the Memory Stone Tufty gets her Guardian Wings Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to Trauma Informed Conversations for more honest discussions about trauma, recovery, and building systems rooted in care and humanity.

  4. Jun 25

    Empathy, Grief, and Partnership: Shifting Home-School Dynamics from Conflict to Collaboration with Graham Chatterley

    How can schools and professionals move past performative empathy to build genuine, supportive partnerships with the parents of children with SEND? Far too often, the intense pressures within the educational system pit schools and families against each other, creating defensiveness instead of a united team around the child.  In this episode of Trauma Informed Conversations, we sit down with trauma-informed trainer, author, and educator Graham Chatterley to bridge this gap. Drawing from both his extensive professional career in special education and his deeply personal lived experience as a father to his son Daniel, who has complex medical and neurodivergent needs, Graham shines a vital light on the unseen realities of SEND parenting.  Together, we unpack the psychological journey and emotional grief that parents navigate, the exhausting physical toll of around-the-clock caregiving, and the critical need for schools to offer genuine validation and emotional safety rather than lip service. Graham shares practical insights into rethinking the use of one-to-one support, prioritizing proactive sensory regulation over reactive crisis management, and why protecting legal safeguards like EHCPs is more vital than ever in today’s challenging landscape.  What We Cover: Bridging the Home-School Divide: Overcoming the "us versus them" narrative to establish a foundation of emotional safety, mutual trust, and effective collaboration. The Realities of Performative Empathy: Why parents see right through standard procedural responses and how listening to hear—rather than just to respond—can save relationships. The "Grief" and Journey of SEND Parenting: Understanding the emotional phases families go through—denial, anger, bargaining, and eventually acceptance—and why schools must meet parents exactly where they are. Preventative vs. Reactive Interventions: The resource-saving power of early, short interventions (like sensory circuits) compared to managing a child in full crisis. Rethinking One-to-One Support: How to frame and utilise individual adult support to facilitate safety and independence without causing environmental manipulation. The High Stakes of SEND Reform: A look at why parents are deeply anxious about shifts to the EHCP framework and the essential nature of legal protections for vulnerable young people. About the Guest:  Graham Chatterley is a highly respected behaviour specialist, consultant, and author of Building Positive Behaviour and Changing Perceptions: Deciphering the Language of Behaviour. As the Director of Changing Perceptions Limited, an advisor with When the Adults Change, and a senior licensed tutor for Team Teach, he has dedicated his career to embedding empathy, relational strategies, and trauma-informed practices across all sectors of education. A former primary and secondary school teacher, Graham went on to lead specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) outreach provisions designed to support children at risk of exclusion. Beyond his professional expertise, Graham sits on "both sides of the fence" as a parent. His first hand lived experience caring for his son, Daniel who has complex medical and neurodivergent needs including autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and epilepsy - deeply fuels his passionate advocacy for building authentic emotional safety and collaboration between schools and families.  Links & Resources Building Positive Behaviour Changing Perceptions: Deciphering the Language of Behaviour Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to Trauma Informed Conversations for more honest discussions about trauma, recovery, and building systems rooted in care and humanity.

  5. Jun 15

    Movement, Regulation, and Belonging: Shifting Behaviour Management from Penalisation to Partnership with Neil Moggan

    Episode Description Can physical activity become a core vehicle for trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and deep belonging in our schools? Far too often, educational environments inadvertently re-traumatise children through behaviour management policies focused purely on sanctions and isolation. In this episode of Trauma Informed Conversations, host Jessica Parker is joined by former Director of Sport and founder of the Rise Up program, Neil Moggan.  Driven by a striking discovery regarding community health inequalities and a noticeable decline in children's mental health, Neil shares his journey toward adopting a trauma-informed lens that completely transformed behavioural outcomes across secondary and special school settings. Together, Jessica and Neil dive into the practicalities of his 'Recover' framework and the unique 'RISE' acronym designed to guide emotional regulation through intentional, care-wrapped movement.  They explore how moving away from rigid behaviourist systems to find a balance between nurture and structure can successfully prevent exclusions, shrink behaviour boundaries, and heal the ruptures that block a young person's ability to learn. Whether you are a PE specialist, a classroom teacher, or an educational leader, this conversation offers a powerful testament to the impact of knowing a child's story, using sensory strategies for core regulation, and building a lifelong self-care toolkit.  Key Takeaways From Disparities to Action: How a staggering 13-year life expectancy gap outside an inner-city school fueled Neil's transition from a standard sports curriculum to early intervention wellbeing programmes. The 95% Drop in Send-Outs: The rapid transformation that occurs when a department switches from rigid discipline to psychological safety, instantly lowering classroom removals. Decoding the RISE Acronym: A practical look at Repeaters, Inclusive teams, Stress busters, and Energisers as intentional tools to widen a student’s window of tolerance. Slashing Physical Restraints: A moving case study from a specialist school where proactive movement strategies and emotional self-awareness reduced physical interventions from 50 down to 10. The Lifelong Self-Care Toolkit: Breaking the mental health stigma and utilising a "happiness chemical menu" to give young people emotional intelligence skills that outlast their school years. Balancing Nurture and Structure: Addressing the common misconception that trauma-informed practice is a "soft touch" by proving that clear boundaries and high expectations are actually expressions of care. Guest Profile Neil Moggan is an award-winning educator, author, and the Founding Director of Future Action, an organisation dedicated to transforming children’s life chances through trauma-informed mental wellbeing strategies. Over a 19-year career in physical education, Neil served as a Director of Sport and a Health and RSHE lead at an inner-city secondary school in Norwich. After qualifying as a Trauma-Informed Schools UK (TISUK) practitioner, Neil road-tested a relational and movement-based approach that radically lowered his department's student removals by 95% in a single term, while dramatically boosting student grades and attendance. This transformative success became the foundation for his acclaimed 'Recover Roadmap' and the 'RISE Up' Early Intervention Programme. Recognising the modern youth mental health crisis, Neil's curriculum has empowered hundreds of primary, secondary, and special schools globally to build sustainable cultures of care. He is also the author of the Amazon-bestselling book, Time to RISE Up: Supporting Students’ Mental Health in Schools, published by PE Scholar. Links & Resources Download the free Trauma Informed Frontline Educator Scorecard mentioned in this episode from here. Connect with Neil Moggan and explore his training programmes at Future Action.Find Neil's bestselling book: Time to RISE Up: Supporting Students’ Mental Health in Schools.To learn more about trauma-informed educational programmes or to collaborate on school case studies, visit the Trauma Informed Consultancy Services (TICS) website. Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to Trauma Informed Conversations for more honest discussions about trauma, recovery, and building systems rooted in care and humanity.

  6. May 26

    The Art of Listening - Moving from "Fixer" to Supporter

    The Art of Listening - Moving from "Fixer" to Supporter In a world that moves quickly toward solutions, simply sitting with someone in their discomfort can feel counterintuitive. Yet, as we explore in this episode, true support often comes from doing less, not more. We are joined by Angelique Tavernier, founder of Clarity Ahead, to discuss the transition from being a "rescuer" to becoming a genuine listener. We often jump into "fixer mode" because emotions make us uncomfortable, and providing a solution helps us feel more in control of the situation. However, rushing to "fix" can inadvertently invalidate the other person's experience and shut down their internal processing. In this episode, we explore: The Psychology of the Fixer: How our desire to feel useful often leads us to bypass the emotional work necessary for healing.The "At Least" Trap: Why well-meaning phrases like "at least..." or "everything happens for a reason" can make a listener feel judged or dismissed.The Three Components of Active Listening:Asking Open Questions: Using "what" and "how" to encourage reflection instead of defensiveness.Summarising: Reflecting back what you’ve heard in the speaker's own words to check understanding.Reflecting Emotions: Recognising the feelings behind the words to show the person they are truly seen.Silence as a Tool: Understanding that silence equals "processing" and learning to resist the urge to fill the gap.Setting the Stage: The power of asking a simple question before a conversation starts: "Do you want to vent, do you want advice, or do you need a distraction?".Building Psychological Safety: How managers can use coaching skills to foster trust and confidence within their teams.Practical Takeaways: Drop the "Why": Replacing "why" with "what" or "how" prevents people from feeling defensive and forced to justify their feelings. Practice in Low Stakes: Start honing your active listening skills during casual conversations about holidays or meetings before applying them to high-stress situations.By embracing the idea that "less is more," we allow others the space to find their own solutions while ensuring they don't feel alone in their struggle. About Our Guest: Angelique Tavernier is the founder of Clarity Ahead, a consultancy dedicated to helping individuals and organisations overcome barriers to professional progress through reflective, empowering coaching. With over 12 years of experience in higher education, learning design, and professional development, Angelique holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Career Guidance and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice. Her work is grounded in values of clarity, empowerment, and inclusivity, blending mindset coaching with strategic training to build human-centered learning cultures. Whether supporting a transition to hybrid learning or helping managers foster psychological safety, Angelique’s mission is to help people build the confidence and self-sufficiency needed to take ownership of their own growth. Learn More: To learn more about Angelique's work, visit Clarity Ahead. For more resources on trauma-informed communication and to explore upcoming workshops, visit the Trauma-Informed Consultancy Services website. Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to Trauma Informed Conversations for more honest discussions about trauma, recovery, and building systems rooted in care and humanity.

  7. May 14

    Care-Experienced People (Mini-Series) - Episode 7: Parenting Without a Blueprint: Care Experience, Trauma, and Building a Village

    What happens when you have to parent without a map? In this deeply moving and relational conversation, we sit down with care-experienced mum, kinship carer, and Churchill Fellow Terri-Anne Harmer to explore the complexities of raising a family while carrying the lifelong impacts of trauma and the care system. For many care-experienced parents, the journey of raising children is often shadowed by a "blueprint of fear" - a fear of systems, surveillance, and the terrifying possibility of child removal. This episode breaks the silence on the "invisible" pressures these parents face, moving away from deficit-based narratives to focus on healing, accountability, and the power of community. Building the Village We Never Had Terri-Anne shares her personal and professional journey, offering a unique perspective on breaking intergenerational cycles and reclaiming the narrative of care-experienced parenting. We discuss: Parenting Through Fear: How trauma responses are frequently misinterpreted as “risk” by professionals, and the need to look beneath behaviour to understand the survival and overwhelm sitting underneath.The Power of Connection: The vital role of peer support and relational spaces in helping parents feel genuinely heard, understood, and empowered.A New Blueprint: Insights from Terri-Anne’s Churchill Fellowship, exploring how village-based approaches and community advocacy can interrupt cycles of removal and support families of all ages.Breaking the Cycle of Trauma Within the conversation, we reflect on the emotional labour of parenting while healing. We consider how childhood histories shape adult relationships, including: Neurodiversity and Masking: The intersection of trauma and late-recognition neurodiversity in adulthood.Shame and Repair: Navigating vulnerability and accountability within family relationships to foster long-term healing.Systemic Change: Why professionals must adopt a trauma-informed lens to support care-experienced families effectively and move toward trust-based practice.This episode offers a powerful invitation to consider what becomes possible when we move beyond survival and build something different—together. In This Episode, We Explore Parenting while carrying long-term trauma impacts.The fear of systems, surveillance, and child removal.Healing while raising children and "building a village."Neurodiversity, masking, and intergenerational cycles.Why professionals need to look beneath behaviour.Guest: Terri-Anne Harmer Terri-Anne is a care-experienced mum, kinship carer, practitioner, and Churchill Fellow. Alongside her work with the Care Leavers Association, she supports care-experienced adults through community spaces that centre connection and empowerment. Key Quotes “We’re building the village that we didn’t have when we were younger.”“Behaviour is not always the thing. What’s underneath it is what’s important.”“You can break the cycle.”Content Note This episode discusses childhood trauma, care experience, parenting, mental health, neurodiversity, child protection processes, family separation, and systemic responses to care-experienced families. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you. Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to Trauma Informed Conversations for more honest discussions about trauma, recovery, and building systems rooted in care and humanity.

  8. Apr 29

    Self-Efficacy, Systemic Shifts, and the Real Lives of Teachers

    Episode Description In this episode of Trauma Informed Conversations, host Jessica Parker welcomes teacher, coach, and author Emma Kell. Drawing on 27 years of classroom experience and her recent book, Real Lives of Teachers, Emma explores the psychological landscape of the teaching profession today. Moving beyond superficial wellbeing advice, Jess and Emma discuss the concept of moral injury and "compassion stress" - the emotional toll of working within a system that often feels like it is "never enough". They delve into the power of self-efficacy, the necessity of radical appreciation, and how school leaders can foster psychological safety through clear boundaries and transparent communication. This conversation is a vital check-in for any educator or leader navigating the "highs and lows" of the modern school environment. Key Takeaways Wellbeing as Self-Efficacy: Real wellbeing in education isn't about "hot baths"; it is the feeling of making a tangible difference in a child’s life, often measured in smiles and small glimmers of progress.The Weight of Moral Injury: Many teachers face a "compassion stress injury" when their values and hard work collide with a system lacking resources and funding.Clarity as Psychological Safety: Emma highlights how "perfectionist" clarity in school policies and expectations creates a contained, safe environment for staff to thrive.Modelling for Leaders: School leaders are among the most vulnerable to burnout; modelling healthy boundaries—such as respecting "out of office" emails - is essential for a sustainable school culture.Stubborn Optimism: Despite systemic challenges, maintaining a sense of "relentless optimism" and celebrating "blossoms" (positive moments) helps educators remain resilient.Resources Mentioned Real Lives of Teachers: Navigating the Highs and Lows of Schools Today by Emma Kell. Available on Amazon.Those That Can: Visit www.those-that-can.com for more information on Emma’s coaching and wellbeing facilitation.Trauma Informed Consultancy Services (TICS): Visit www.ticservicesltd.com to access live training events, further information on trauma-informed practice, and to contact the team for support. Guest  Emma Kell is a teacher, coach, and speaker with over 27 years of experience in the classroom. She currently teaches in alternative provision and provides coaching and facilitation on teacher wellbeing, school culture, and communication. Emma is a passionate advocate for the profession, focusing on what helps teachers "survive and thrive" in the modern educational landscape.  Send us Fan Mail Subscribe to Trauma Informed Conversations for more honest discussions about trauma, recovery, and building systems rooted in care and humanity.

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About

Hosted by the team behind Trauma Informed Consultancy Services, led by Jessica Parker, Director at TICS. This podcast explores how trauma-informed principles can transform the way we live, work, lead, and support others. Each episode dives into real-world conversations with experts, educators, and practitioners who are driving positive change through compassion, understanding, and awareness. Whether you’re a leader, educator, clinician, or simply someone who wants to build safer and more supportive environments, Trauma Informed Conversations offers practical insights, reflective dialogue, and inspiring stories to help you embed trauma-informed approaches in every aspect of life and work. Join us as we create space for empathy, learning, and meaningful connection — one conversation at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Jessica Parker
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Trauma Informed Consultancy Services Ltd
  • Show Website
    Trauma Informed Conversations