Mary Jo McVeigh, Emmanuel Kassiotis and Amanda Boyd represented CaraCare at the 3rdBiennial International Childhood Trauma Conference in Melbourne July-August 2018. The theme of the conference was trust, love and betrayal - therapeutic interventions that work in the face of relational and complex trauma.
Read MoreAt CaraCare we view success through the eyes of the children. What that looks like to us is that they are having fun, sharing their pain in a safe way and connecting with each other, their families and friends.
During Terms 2 and 3, we offered 5 programs – Having a Go, Faery Garden, Rising Up Singing Out, Writing and Wrapped in Angels for boys. This is what some of the kids had to say about their CaraCare experience.
Read MoreAs we know, certain smells can tie us strongly to a memory, whether it be good or bad. This process in the brain is called somatosensory flashback and is recalled long before a narrative memory is formed. Young children in particular often associate certain smells with their traumatic experiences. Equally, to create new positive memories, it is important to incorporate smell as part of the healing process.
Read MoreRising Up, Singing Out is a new program piloted in Term 2. As well as the direct personal harm suffered, abuse silences children and young people. Children are forced to be silent to protect themselves or others and convinced that no-one will believe them if they disclose abuse. Rising Up, Singing Out was developed to create a space for children and young people’s voices in the form of a song.
Read MoreThis year's CaraCare Ball was held on a beautiful evening at Le Montage on Saturday 19th May, and in true CaraCare style, the night was all about fun, flair, good times and generosity.
Read MoreWrapped in Angels is a journey of resilience that explores what has sustained and nourished children and families when facing abuse, violence and trauma.
Read MoreWith May rapidly approaching (we’re still wondering where February went!), the CaraCare team is busy gearing up for our BIG event of 2015: our inaugural charity ball!
Read MoreHaving a bank of experts contributing to the programmes, Mary Jo also saw the need for a sensory experience to help the children through smell. As we all know, certain smells can tie us strongly to a memory, whether it be good or bad. This process in the brain is called somatosensory flashback and is recalled long before a narrative memory is formed. Young children in particular often associate certain smells with their traumatic experiences. Equally, to create new positive memories, it is important to incorporate smell as part of the healing process.
Read MoreShe grew up in the bomb-scarred streets of Belfast, saw off cancer and dealt with divorce. But MARY JO McVEIGH has come through stronger than ever, writes Sue Williams.
Read MoreA very special program is taking place at the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Vincentian House in inner-city Sydney.
Read MoreFor Mary Jo McVeigh, a counselor and child trauma expert, who has worked with children for over 25 years, it was a random interaction between her pet dog and a young client that opened her eyes to a new approach, one which is producing unexpected results.
Read MoreMary Jo McVeigh works with people affected by trauma, mostly children affected by abuse or family break-up.
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