The Sleeping Dogs method is a trauma treatment for children who were severely and chronically traumatized in early childhood. Children who experience developmental trauma, abuse and neglect can display a wide range of trauma related symptoms and problems. They can have nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance, but also be anxious, depressed, aggressive, have problems in school, with relationships, attachment. They can self-harm or even become suicidal. Some children just never talk about it and the trauma seems to be forgotten, or they become very aggressive, avoidant or dissociate when the trauma is mentioned. These children, who are called ‘resistant’ or ‘not motivated’ usually have good reasons not to engage, such as unsafety, instability in daily life, unsafe attachment relationships, lack of emotion regulation skills and negative core beliefs.

Some say it is better to ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ and not bring up the trauma and wait. However, research shows that unprocessed trauma has a devastating impact on all developmental areas and it is important to wake up those sleeping dogs (trauma memories). EMDR and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy are evidence-based treatments for trauma, but when children have developmental trauma, it can be difficult to know where to start as there are so many problems and their families can be chaotic. 

With the Sleeping Dogs Tool you can analyse cases and assess which potential barriers the child might have and what you can do to stabilise, motivate, prepare the child to engage in traumaprocessing. The Sleeping Dogs method describes interventions to support the child and prevent it from dropping out and afterwards address the consequences of developmental trauma.

In this practical two-day-workshop the Sleeping Dogs method is explained and illustrated with case examples and video material. The theory will be explained in straightforward language and participants practise the use of the method with their own cases. The structure of the Sleeping Dogs method can also guide decision-making by child protection services around disclosures, safety, contact arrangements with biological parents, contact between foster parents and biological parents, and reunification.