Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in Brighton
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy in Brighton supports children and their parents or carers where early trauma, loss or disrupted care affect trust and relationships. As a Full DDP Practitioner, I help adults understand the child’s experience and consider what may sit beneath difficult behaviour. The work uses PACE, which stands for Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy, and can include parent preparation and joint sessions. We pay attention to the child’s readiness and the relationship between child and carer, rather than expecting the child to work through everything alone.
What DDP means
DDP is a family-based therapeutic approach developed by Dan Hughes. It was developed for children affected by early neglect, abuse and disrupted care, and involves the adults who care for them.
The work considers how past experiences affect a child’s expectations of other people. A parent may offer comfort, for example, but the child may struggle to trust or accept it. We look at what is happening between you and how to respond with greater understanding.
Parents are part of the work
We usually need time to understand the parents’ experience before asking a child to join difficult conversations. I want to hear about your child, what you have tried and the interactions that leave you feeling stuck.
We also consider your own responses. Repeated rejection can be painful, even when you understand why your child finds closeness difficult. Support for you is part of considering what the relationship needs.
The timing and structure of the work are agreed around your family. I don’t assume every family needs the same number of appointments.
Understanding PACE
PACE stands for Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy. It describes an attitude towards the child’s experience that is central to DDP.
In our work, we consider what that attitude means during the moments you find hardest. We can think about how to stay interested in what your child is feeling while responding to the behaviour in front of you. This takes practice and reflection, particularly when everyone is upset.
Bringing the child into the conversation
Where joint sessions are suitable, I support the conversation between you and your child. We work at a pace that allows us to pay attention to their responses and review how the sessions are affecting family life.
DDP is one part of my work with families. An initial discussion helps us consider whether it fits your needs or whether another form of support would be more useful.
Questions about DDP
Is DDP the same as individual child counselling?
No. DDP involves the child’s relationship with their parents or carers as a central part of the work. Individual counselling may have a different focus and arrangement.
Do I need to know the terminology before starting?
No. I’ll explain the approach and we’ll use examples that relate to your family.
Are you still training in DDP?
I hold Full Practitioner Status in DDP. My current RLT training is separate and relates to couples work.
Discuss DDP for your family
If you have been advised to consider DDP, or want to understand whether it could help, contact me with a little information about your circumstances.
Welcoming people across Sussex
Families in Brighton, Lewes, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Hassocks and Chichester can contact me about DDP, including through my adoption support for East Sussex. My Brighton practice welcomes parents and children for work agreed around their needs. If attending is difficult, we can discuss whether some parent sessions could take place online. Those conversations still need somewhere quiet and private; the format of work involving a child is considered individually.
