Adverse childhood experiences can deeply influence people’s physical and mental well-being, often shaping how people grow, develop and navigate life. In most cases, people with a history of a significant degree of trauma or abuse require an increased level of therapeutic care. This is particularly important for autistic children and young people, as well as children and young people living with a learning disability or mental health needs.
Using approaches like the PACE model, which emphasises Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy, can provide a compassionate framework to address trauma and create a safe space for healing.
The PACE Model and Core Principles
When we think about PACE model and trauma, we’re focusing on how we can connect with children in a way that helps them feel safe, understood, and supported. PACE stands for Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy, and these principles guide how we engage with children-especially those who’ve experienced difficult moments in their lives.
- Playfulness helps us show children that it’s okay to be lighthearted, even during challenging times, making it easier for them to open up.
- Acceptance means we let children know that no matter what they’re feeling or how they behave, they are worthy of understanding and care.
- Curiosity encourages us to gently ask, “What’s behind this behavior?” so we can better understand what the child needs.
- Empathy helps us truly be there for children, letting them know that we understand their emotions and that they are never alone in their struggles.
By embracing the PACE model, we can offer children the emotional support and connection they need to process their experiences and grow from them.
How The PACE Model Supports Trauma Healing
The PACE approach is key to supporting children in difficult or tense situations, particularly those dealing with trauma. By fostering a safe, supportive environment, it encourages children to build healthier coping mechanisms, facilitating their emotional healing. The model helps children develop resilience and emotional awareness, supporting not only their healing but also their personal growth.
As children begin to feel understood and validated, they become more empowered, gaining independence and confidence in managing their emotions and responses. Ultimately, the PACE model plays a crucial role in guiding children toward a path of recovery, healing, and growth.
Playfulness in Trauma Recovery
For children and young people who have experienced neglect, abuse, or loss, it can be challenging to trust that adults are safe, kind, and caring. Playfulness can help show them that even during tough times, there’s a way to find joy and peace in playful activities and interactions. These moments of play can ease feelings of distress or fear and offer reassurance and safe environment where children and young people can feel positive connection.
Examples of playfulness:
- Use a warm tone of voice and positive facial expressions to convey interest.
- Find opportunities to bring joy and lightness in the social interactions.
Acceptance as a Foundation
Acceptance is an important part of building a therapeutic relationship with children and young people who have experienced trauma. It shows that we can connect with their feelings and emotions without judgment, offering reassurance that their experiences and feelings are valid, regardless of their behavior. Acceptance means embracing the thoughts, emotions, and memories behind a behavior, even if we don’t agree with the behavior itself.
Examples of acceptance:
- “We can see this has been really hard for you, and we’re here to support you through it.”
- “We understand that you’re feeling a lot right now, and we’ll face it together.”
Curiosity to Understand
Curiosity means taking an interest in understanding the reasons behind a child’s behavior, helping us uncover the feelings or needs driving their actions. By being curious, we focus on exploration rather than blame, creating a space where the child feels heard and supported. When we approach their experiences with genuine, non-judgmental curiosity, it can encourage them to open up and reflect on their own emotions and actions.
Examples of curiosity:
- “I wonder if you broke the glass because you were feeling angry.”
- “I’m curious if staying home feels safer than going to school today-what do you think?”
Empathy as a Healing Tool
Empathy involves actively demonstrating to a child that their feelings matter, that we are there for them during tough moments, and that they don’t have to face things alone. While responses may not always solve the problem, empathy is centered around creating a deep connection with the child.
Examples of empathy:
- “I see you’re upset, and I can feel your pain. I’m here with you.”
- “I know this might be overwhelming for you, but I’m here to help you through it.”
Applications of the PACE Model in Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed practice is about understanding how past traumatic experiences can shape a person’s behaviour. By recognising the effects of trauma, we, as professionals and members of the community, can work together to create a supportive environment, ensuring that care services are tailored to meet the needs of the children and young people affected.
- Safety: Focus on creating environments where people feel both physically and emotionally secure.
- Transparency and Trustworthiness: Work towards establishing and nurturing trust by being open and clear in our actions and decisions.
- Empowerment and Choice: Aim to acknowledge, validate, and build upon the strengths children possess, supporting their recovery journey.
- Collaboration and Mutuality: Promote dignity and equality in relationships by sharing power and decision-making when appropriate, ensuring the child feels a sense of control.
- Self-discovery: Strive to overcome biases, acknowledge historical trauma, recognise the importance of cultural connections, and adopt practices that respond to the racial, ethnic, and cultural needs of the child.
Dr. Bruce Perry, a leading neuroscientist in trauma research, has shown that to help a vulnerable child feel safe and engage in thinking and reflection, we need to intervene using a simple sequence.
- REGULATE
Pay attention to the environment – Is it necessary for me to intervene? Are there immediate actions I need to take to ensure safety?
Observe your own emotional state – Am I feeling calm and able to remain open and engaged? Am I becoming irritated, angry, or defensive? Do I feel overwhelmed? Do I need a moment to myself? How can I return to a place of openness and compassion?
Be aware of the child’s emotional state -What steps can I take to help them calm down first?
- RELATE
After they’ve calmed down, work together to understand the meaning behind their behavior. Approach it with curiosity and a genuine interest, asking questions like, “I wonder what’s happening…? What could be going on…? No wonder you… if…” Delve into the thoughts, feelings, and motives driving the behavior. Show them you’re truly trying to understand. Align your body language with an approach of empathy and kindness.
- REASON
After understanding the reasons behind their behavior, think about how to respond. Is there anything more I need to do, like providing more structure or supervision? Should I offer a logical consequence, or has a natural consequence already occurred?
- REPAIR
Consider whether the relationship needs to be repaired, ensuring the child knows that what happened hasn’t impacted your connection. Do I need to help the child restore relationships with others as well?
Benefits of the PACE Model for People Dealing with Trauma
The PACE Model supports trauma-informed care by emphasising playfulness and storytelling. Playful moments support people to feel safe and reduce anxiety, making it easier to connect with their emotions. Storytelling offers a space for them to process their experiences and gain perspective. Together, these elements promote emotional resilience, trust, and healing, making the PACE Model an effective approach for those navigating trauma.
Emotional Healing
Emotional healing for young people happens when they feel safe. A safe environment helps them process their emotions, express themselves, and develop resilience. When young people feel safe, they can begin their healing journey, reducing anxiety and building trust. This sense of safety is essential for them to engage fully in their emotional recovery, allowing them to grow and move forward with confidence.
Building Resilience
Building resilience through storytelling allows people to make sense of their experiences and strengthen their emotional resilience. When people share their stories, they gain a sense of control over their lives, helping them process challenges and difficult emotions.
Storytelling creates a safe space where people can reflect, learn from their experiences, and feel empowered to overcome adversity. This process not only supports emotional healing but also creates a deeper connection to oneself and others, building the foundation for greater resilience in the face of future challenges.
Emotional Regulation
Supporting emotional regulation is all about helping people manage their emotions in a way that feels natural and balanced. With a light tone, it’s easier to approach emotional regulation as a skill that can be learned and strengthened over time.
By gently guiding people through simple techniques like deep breathing, self-reflection, or mindfulness, they can gain better control over their emotions. When people feel relaxed and supported, they can respond to challenges with calmness and clarity, making emotional regulation an empowering part of their everyday lives.
Catalyst Care Group and PACE Model Support
Trust is the foundation of meaningful relationships. It paves the way for a calm, secure environment that ensures a positive and nurturing approach to care. Rooted in expertise, a core aspect of our approach is implementing the PACE Model, a proven framework for therapeutic support.
How Do We Support People Using the PACE Model?
Through this model, the people we serve experience:
- Improved communication and stronger emotional bonds with their families.
- Enhanced problem-solving and coping skills for managing daily challenges.
- A greater sense of empowerment and self-confidence.
Integrating the PACE Model into our care provides a strength-based framework focusing on emotional resilience and personal growth. We use it for managing challenges such as trauma, behavioural difficulties, and emotional regulation, resulting in a positive and nurturing approach to care.
Take a moment to watch Hayden’s care journey and discover the positive outcomes he achieves.
For more information, get in touch with us today.
