Keywords

clinical psychology, trauma, resilience, education, mental health, policy development, children and families, trauma-informed care, REACH model, well-being

Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Naomi Murphy and David Jones talk with Dr. Warren Larkin who describes his journey from a challenging educational background to becoming a clinical psychologist. He discusses the significant impact of environment on learning, particularly in relation to trauma and resilience. Dr. Larkin emphasizes the importance of working with children and families, advocating for trauma-informed approaches in education and mental health. He reflects on his experiences in policy development and the challenges of implementing trauma-informed care in various settings. The conversation also covers the REACH model, which focuses on routine inquiry about childhood adversity, and highlights the importance of safety and relationships in fostering well-being.

He is now managing director of Warren Larkin Associates which, among other things helps organisations recognise and respond more effectively to the needs of staff and clients affected by trauma.

https://warrenlarkinassociates.co.uk/

Takeaways

Warren Larkin's educational journey highlights the impact of supportive environments.

Trauma and resilience are crucial in educational settings.

Early intervention is important, but prevention is even better.

Policy changes often do not translate to practice changes.

The REACH model emphasizes routine inquiry about childhood adversity.

Creating safe environments is essential for effective trauma-informed care.

Relationships are key to resilience and well-being.

Social support is the most powerful factor in coping with stress.

Trauma-informed care is still not well understood in many settings.

There is a need for more robust evaluations of trauma-informed interventions.

Sound bites

"I left school with one O level and one CSE."

"I've never looked back since leaving the NHS."

"Relationships are the best medicine."

Chapters

00:00 Warren Larkin's Journey to Clinical Psychology

03:58 The Impact of Environment on Learning

05:39 Working with Children and Families

08:46 Trauma and Psychosis: A New Perspective

10:41 Policy Development and Challenges

16:25 Success Stories in Mental Health Policy

17:43 Transitioning to Private Practice

20:38 Navigating the NHS and Independent Work

24:53 The REACH Model: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences

32:44 Barriers to Routine Inquiry in Healthcare

38:18 Trauma-Informed Care: Understanding and Application

43:50 Personal Well-Being: Balancing Work and Life