Leading therapies for positive outcomes

Therapy

Our team is expeienced in delivering a range of therapies

Dramatherapy

Dramatherapy is a form of creative arts psychotherapy that helps young people explore their emotions and build confidence in a safe, supportive environment. It combines psychological theory, childhood development, and trauma awareness with creative methods such as puppetry, storytelling, crafts, and movement.

Our in-house therapist, Emily Rhodes, is HCPC-registered and highly experienced in working with children and staff. She provides therapy sessions for young people of all ages and offers supervision and support to staff teams.

“I joined TCM as a newly qualified dramatherapist with no experience in residential care. Over the years, I’ve been supported to grow both personally and professionally, developing a passion for trauma-informed care that’s embraced across the company. TCM has empowered me to make my mark and build strong, positive relationships in a rewarding and dynamic field. It’s a place where people truly care – about the work and each other.”

Emily Rhodes

Drama Therapist

PACE

Our Therapeutic Aim:

At Total Care Matters, therapy is integrated into everyday life. Emily works closely with staff teams to:

• Support each child’s development

• Build safe, trusting relationships

• Provide spaces for staff reflection and wellbeing

• Address the impact of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue

This creates confident, supported teams who better understand and care for the children.

PACE Approach:

We embed the PACE model (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) across all our homes. Developed by Dr. Daniel Hughes, it provides a trauma-informed way of caring for children, helping them feel safe, connected, and understood.

With PACE, staff prioritise emotional connection before correction, creating opportunities for healing and resilience.

DDP Connect UK says:

“PACE is a way of thinking, feeling, communicating and behaving that helps children feel safe. With safety, they can begin to explore and trust.”

Expert Partnership

We work with Melissa Blockley, an Independent Certified DDP Practitioner, who provides:

Monthly PACE supervision sessions in every home

• Training for all staff, including leadership and new starters

• Support in understanding behaviour as communication of unmet needs

This ensures our staff remain resilient, confident, and emotionally supported while delivering therapeutic, trauma-informed care.