A free 50-page illustrated article exploring developmental trauma, written by clinical psychologists and trauma specialists at Beacon House.
Updated for 2026 with current research, clinical insight and practical guidance for professionals supporting children and families.
As professionals supporting children and families through the impact of early trauma and disrupted attachment, many of us have found ourselves asking the same questions: What is this behaviour communicating? How might early experiences of childhood trauma have shaped this child’s developing brain and body? And what might help them feel safer, more understood and better supported?
Our newly updated, 50-page illustrated article brings together current research, clinical understanding and practical guidance around the impact of early adversity and loss, to help professionals make sense of developmental trauma and respond with greater curiosity, confidence and compassion.
It explores not only what may have happened to a child, but how trauma, relationships, neurodevelopmental differences, prenatal experiences and the wider world around them may intersect to shape what they need from us.
Together, we explore:
This article will help you look beneath behaviour with greater curiosity and develop a fuller understanding of what a child may be communicating through their body, relationships, emotions and actions.
It offers an accessible framework for thinking about developmental trauma, while helping you hold trauma alongside neurodevelopmental differences, prenatal experiences and the wider social context of a child’s life. Most importantly, it offers practical ways to support children, families and the adults around them with greater understanding, lower blame and renewed hope. Sign up to receive the article here.
Sometimes it’s easier to listen than to read.
When you sign up, you’ll also receive an exclusive audio version of the article, personally narrated by Dr Shoshanah Lyons.
Listen while you’re driving, walking the dog, or taking a moment to yourself with a cup of tea.
This article was written by Dr Shoshanah Lyons, a Clinical Psychologist, trauma specialist and Founder and Director of Beacon House. Her work brings together psychology, neuroscience and relational practice to help children, families and professionals make sense of what may be happening beneath behaviour. She is passionate about translating complex research into practical, compassionate and hopeful ways of understanding and supporting children affected by adversity.
It is illustrated by specialist artist Helen Townsend, whose work explores the emotional, sensory and relational worlds where stories of trauma, safety and healing live; and has contributions from psychotherapist Sarah Marx, who brings a deeply relational lens to understanding children and families, and clinical psychologist Dr Kathryn Whyte, whose work explores the intersection of developmental trauma, neurodevelopmental differences and prenatal alcohol exposure.
Beacon House is a specialist therapeutic service supporting children, young people, adults and families living with the impact of developmental trauma, disrupted attachment and adversity. Our work brings together clinical expertise, current research, creativity, courage and relational practice to help people feel understood, supported and hopeful.
“This is a terrific guide that helps understand the impact that early developmental trauma can have on a young person and how it can impact subsequent emotional and behavioural challenges.”
“Beacon House brilliantly illustrates the range of difficulties and resilience factors … and how developmental trauma can be healed through relationship.”
If this article has sparked your curiosity, Beacon House founder Dr Shoshanah Lyons has written Healing Developmental Trauma in Families & Systems, a book that takes these ideas further.
Dr Lyons has brought together contemporary neurobiology, attachment, living experience and systems thinking through accessible explanations and practical frameworks, brought to life through illustrations by our in-house artist, Helen Townsend.