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Therapy at Otter Psychology
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)
DDP is a therapeutic approach designed to support families where children are experiencing attachment difficulties, which is typically the result of developmental trauma. These early experiences can impact on a child in how safe they feel in relationships and in their sense of self. The child may experience emotional regulation difficulties, behavioural challenges and struggles with social interactions.
The aims of DDP are to focus on the attachment relationship between a child and parent or carer in order to increase their feelings of safety in this relationship. This relationship provides a foundation from which children can increase their understanding of themselves and their experiences, and develop their emotional regulation abilities. Through deepening parents/carers understanding of their child, and strengthening their connection, this can support the a child's healing from past trauma an improve overall emotional wellbeing.
Sessions are 50 minutes in person or online and typically begin with parent/carer only sessions. Some DDP work remains as parent only work and this can be such a transformative part of the therapy. For some families we move to family sessions including the child.
Animal Assisted Play Therapy (AAPT)
The focus on AAPT is on the involvement of animals in the context of play therapy. The therapist and animals engage with the child, family or adult through play which focuses on improving emotional expression, developing relationships and working through emotional and social difficulties.
Including animals in therapy can be powerful and can help young people and adults to feel more at ease to open up. Animals can be great listeners and offer unconditional support, which can make therapy feel like a positive experience, as well as providing a space to practice social skills such as empathy and responsibility.
Sessions might include conversations and observations on the animal, games with the animal or small training exercises. The animal may not always be the focus of an activity in the sessions but conversations may evolve from thinking about them. Sessions may include a child and parent together or just child or adult by themselves. For work with children, it may also be helpful to have parent only sessions to review progress.
A big part of AAPT is ensuring the animal’s well-being and voluntary engagement in the process. This is such an important message to communicate to children and presents a positive model of care for them to observe and become a part of.
Sessions are 50 minutes and are in person. Parent only sessions for reviews may be held online.
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