Supporting Children Who Clam Up, Go Inwards or are Silent with Dr Karen Treisman

Please note:

This training has a maximum number of attendees and is being delivered to a specific cohort of staff.

Access codes have been shared directly with those invited to attend in advance. If you have not received an access code, this session is not available to book at this time.

Thank you for your understanding.

Overview

The Primary Children Looked After Advisory Service is pleased to invite you to this two-day online workshop delivered by Dr Karen Treisman MBE, Clinical Psychologist, Author and Trainer.

Children who “clam up,” go inwards, stay quiet or say “I don’t know” are often communicating far more than their words suggest. These are often the children who go under the radar or are described as “fine,” yet may be holding a great deal beneath the surface.

In this relational, trauma-informed workshop, we will explore what may sit beneath these responses, including how experiences of trauma, dissociation, shame and overwhelm can affect a child’s ability to access language, stay present and feel safe enough to share. Rather than viewing these moments as “resistance”, we will consider them with curiosity: what might this behaviour be protecting, and what might the child be communicating when words are not available?

The workshop will offer a range of creative, sensory, cognitive, relational and physical tools to support children who struggle to express themselves verbally. We will consider ways to build trust, increase felt safety and widen a child’s window of tolerance, alongside practical ideas that can be used to support children in everyday practice.

Event Details

Dates: Tuesday 10th and Tuesday 17th November 2026
Time: 9:30am to 3:00pm on both days
Delivery Method: Zoom (link will be sent to registered participants)

This is a two-day training programme, with the content delivered across both sessions. Attendees must be available to attend on both 10th and 17th November. It is not possible to attend either date as a standalone session.