Providing a whole family approach to guide your adoptive/care experienced family in strengthening the parent-child connection. Using evidence-informed Dyadic Developmental Therapy (DDP) and specialist support, you can develop a better understanding of your child to help support them.
But when you’re dealing with typical childhood issues and also trauma related issues it can be exhausting.
If you’re struggling with what to do, fear for the future, and a child with emotional concerns, it can seem like an impossible task.
There can also a continuous battle to access the support your child needs, leaving you to feel uncertain and concerned.
DDP is an evidence-informed and widely used therapy, suitable for trauma and attachment needs often prevalent with care experienced and adopted children. It can help you gain better insight into your child’s heart and mind, strengthen your connection, and give you a clearer way forward.
Dr Kerry Sweeney provides specialist services for adopted and care experienced children, using an approach unique to every family.
There are a range of services — from one-off consultations to ongoing therapy — to suit your family’s circumstances.
“You’ve been such a positive impact on our lives, and we’ll never forget that.”
“Thank you for all your support for our daughter and for us. It is greatly appreciated.”
“Thank you for the very professional, prompt service we've received throughout the assessment process.”
Early traumatic and neglectful experiences in childhood, is called developmental trauma.
This can lead children to struggle with attachment and emotional & behavioural issues. For adoptive/care experienced families, this can create difficulties with the adult/child connections.
DDP is a therapeutic approach which helps children who have experienced developmental trauma and their parents. It is a widely used, evidence-informed approach to help families and children to develop healthier patterns of relating and communicating.
DDP helps adopted/care experienced children and their parents, enhance their connection. It helps children to feel safer and more secure.
Adopted/care experienced children may have strong emotions. DDP helps them to understand their identity, how they work and develop an improved ability to manage emotions with support from parents.
Adopted/care experienced children often have traumatic early life experiences, but DDP helps to facilitate safe exploration, while helping adoptive parents to understand their own attachment histories too.
Instead of having ‘fear’ and feeling that your love may not be enough or that you will cause more harm, DDP can give you the confidence to parent.
It’s important you find a specialist professional who is the right fit for your family. Dr Kerry Sweeney provides an empathic and accepting space for your family to express themselves freely.
Dr Kerry Sweeney is a Consultant Child Clinical Psychologist, specialising in DDP for adopted/care experienced children with developmental trauma.
She understands the struggle adoptive/care experienced families go through and the frustration in trying to find the right support.
Dr Kerry Sweeney has a wealth of experience having worked for 20 years in the NHS, most of which as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, and now 5 years in independent
practice.
Dr Kerry Sweeney is the first DDP Consultant on the island of Ireland, leading the way in supporting adopted/care experienced families to have a healthier and happier family life.
Get a referral from your GP and book a first meeting with Dr Kerry Sweeney through Kingsbridge Private Hospital. This can be either in-person or online for Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Dr Kerry Sweeney will work with the parents first to understand your unique family circumstances using trauma/ attachment / developmental-based formulation. During this meeting, next stages will be decided.
Depending on what support you need, we will undertake 1-2 sessions to assess and signpost you to the support you need or any further assessments such as ADHD. Or plan 4-6 therapeutic sessions with parents. After these sessions, the child may be brought in, If appropriate.
