The programme brings together individual attention, the LovePatch teddy bear family of Loviland, and parent or caregiver involvement. We approach each child with curiosity and compassion, leaving room for their own voice and understanding. 

Meet the LovePatch family of Loviland. 

The LovePatch family is a family of teddy bears who live in Loviland. Through their stories, we meet characters who struggle to cope with changes after frightening, painful, or unsettling experiences. 

Their stories and role play gently invite children to explore feelings, relationships, and experiences through characters they can get to know. A child can start by talking about what a teddy bear is experiencing, what has changed in its world, or what it might need, without having to speak directly about their own experience. 

The stories can explore a particular critical incident, changes within the family such as divorce, or ongoing difficulties with friendships and peers at school. Children have room to engage in their own way. Their play is not treated as proof of an event or given a fixed interpretation. 

What this service offers 

Cares offers individualised support for children following distressing events or ongoing adversity. The work includes opportunities for expression, structured trauma facilitation where appropriate, and practical skills for everyday challenges. 

The LovePatch family forms a consistent part of the approach, helping create a familiar, supportive environment. Parent and caregiver guidance extends that support beyond the child’s sessions. 

Who it is for 

Cares may be relevant to families seeking support for a child following a critical incident, a painful family change or difficult experiences with peers. Concerns may include: 

• Angry outbursts, frequent conflict or difficulty expressing feelings. 

• Withdrawal, avoidance or becoming quiet when overwhelmed. 

• Excessive approval-seeking or difficulty expressing needs and boundaries. 

• Changes in confidence, friendships or engagement with everyday activities. 

These concerns provide a starting point for discussion. They are not used on their own to label a child or determine what has happened. An initial conversation with a caregiver helps clarify the concerns and consider whether Cares is an appropriate fit. 

The foundation of Cares 

Compassion, individual attention and family involvement are central to Cares. The programme uses fight, flight, freeze, and fawn as language to explore protective responses, while recognising that every child has their own history, strengths, and ways of communicating. 

The focus is on listening to the child’s experience and considering what support they need. The teddy bears provide familiar characters through which children can explore change and relationships at a pace suited to their participation. 

How the approach works 

Cares draws on Applied Metapsychology and incorporates TIRC as a structured facilitation approach where appropriate. When using Trauma Incident Reduction techniques, I include the LovePatch family to help create a familiar, supportive environment for the child. 

The characters support connection, communication and role play. Structured TIR facilitation is explained and used where appropriate; the characters’ stories do not replace the child’s own account or understanding. 

My role is to listen, facilitate and make room for expression. I do not tell the child what a character must represent or what they should think, feel or discover. Creative activities may also support expression and engagement within the agreed scope of the work. 

Practical coaching may include recognising feelings, communicating needs and boundaries, using relaxation strategies, approaching problems step by step, and navigating challenging interactions. 

What to expect from the programme 

The starting point is a conversation with the parent or caregiver about the child’s circumstances, concerns and support needs. The child’s age, understanding and readiness help guide the proposed approach. 

Child sessions offer focused attention and opportunities to engage with the LovePatch family. Activities are explained in understandable language, and the child is encouraged to ask questions and communicate concerns. 

Parent or caregiver meetings are a required part of Cares. They provide guidance, education and practical ways to support the child between sessions. We explain and agree on arrangements for consent, the child’s participation, confidentiality, and caregiver communication before work begins. 

What we are working towards 

Depending on the child’s needs, the aims may include: 

• Greater understanding and expression of feelings. 

• Reduced distress connected with experiences being explored. 

• More ways to respond when feeling overwhelmed. 

• Greater confidence in communicating needs and boundaries. 

• Stronger coping and problem-solving skills. 

• Better understanding between the child and their caregivers. 

These are aims of the programme rather than guaranteed outcomes. The approach and progress are considered individually. 

Session arrangements 

Arrangements for child sessions and required parent or caregiver meetings are discussed during the initial enquiry, taking account of the child’s age, needs and suitability for the proposed format. 

Pricing and service requests 

Current pricing is available in our WhatsApp Catalogue. You can request Cares services by sending an email, starting a WhatsApp chat or placing an order through our WhatsApp Catalogue.