In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, host Philippa interviews Dr. Lisa Cherry—author, speaker, researcher, and consultant—about trauma, adversity, attachment, and compassionate responses to behavior. Cherry shares how her childhood experiences of trauma, being in care, emotional neglect, school exclusion, and homelessness shaped her commitment to social justice and a career spanning residential care, leaving-care teams, education, and independent work. She discusses sustaining oneself through rest and boundaries to avoid feeling “trauma-drenched,” and distinguishes trauma-aware from trauma-informed practice, emphasizing systemic support for staff. Cherry introduces a framework of belonging, mattering, and liminality, arguing people in “in-between” transitions need to be held to prevent destructive targeting and exploitation. She describes what trauma-informed relationships feel like—safety and acceptance—and reflects on challenges in schools. She also highlights her books, including Squirrel’s Search For Love, written during her multiple myeloma diagnosis, and upcoming titles on belonging and children entering care.

About Dr Lisa Cherry | Discover Trauma-Informed Solutions

2027 conference - https://www.lisacherry.co.uk/conference-2027

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