09/06/2025
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy aims to:
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy interventions are primarily centred around improving the emotional and relational functioning of children and adolescents who have experienced developmental trauma, neglect, or attachment disruptions. This intervention is grounded in attachment theory (developed by John Bowlby and Dan Hughes), intersubjectivity, and a model of PACE (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy).
1. Improve attachment security: help the child develop secure trusting relationships, especially with caregivers, and reduce attachment-related behaviours such as avoidance, control, withdrawal, or aggression.
2. Enhance emotional regulation: increase the child's ability to recognise, express, and manage emotions. Reduce dysregulation, tantrums, shutdowns, and other trauma-related emotional responses.
3. Strengthen parent-child relationship: foster attunement and connection between the child and the caregiver. Support the caregiver’s capacity to respond with empathy, patience, and consistency.
4. Reduction in trauma-related symptoms: decrease symptoms of complex trauma, such as anxiety, hypervigilance, dissociation, and depression. Support integration of traumatic memories into the child's narrative to reduce emotional charge.
5. Development of a coherent sense of self: support the child in forming a positive self-identity and internal working model of self and others. Address shame-based self-concepts and promote self-worth.
6. Increase trust in adults and the world: help the child develop a sense of safety and predictability in relationships. Build the belief that adults can be safe, nurturing, and trustworthy.
Additional outcomes:
• Improve behaviour at home and school.
• Greater resilience and social competence.
• Improved caregiver confidence and lower parental stress.
