Introduction to DDP PACE: Building trust with children who’ve experienced developmental trauma

Foster carers and practitioners are invited to attend our upcoming Introduction to DDP PACE training course taking place over two days facilitated by Dr Billy Smythe.

PACE is an approach developed by Dr Dan Hughes and a key part of the Dyadic Development Psychotherapy, Parenting and Practice Model (DDP). PACE stands for Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy.

PACE is not a strategy or a tool, rather it is a way of being that can help children who have been traumatised in past relationships start to feel safe and build deeper emotional connections with the adults around them.

Aims and objectives:

  • DDP PACE training will help you to understand the impact of developmental trauma and the challenges that children with this experience can struggle with.
  • Training introduces how the experience of PACE within a DDP-informed approach can start to help these children to recover trust and safety, giving them back their futures.
  • It also explores PACE as a way of being with adults of all ages to provide a secure foundation for relationships to grow and thrive.
  • Drawing on their capacity for regulation and reflection, DDP PACE helps adults who support children to emotionally connect with them in ways which increase feelings of safety and trust.

Booking details:

Member rate £200 plus VAT

Non-member rate £230 plus VAT

This course will be delivered via Zoom, registration will begin at 9:45am, confirmed delegates will be sent joining instructions by email a few days before the course start date. 

For more information contact [email protected] or speak to your fostering service about funding a place on this course. 

Spaces are limited, please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

View our cancellation policy

public 04 Dec 25 - 05 Dec 25 10:00 - 14:00 Training £200 plus VAT
Book now

Who is Dr Billy Smythe?

I am a Clinical Psychologist and Trainer, Consultant and Practitioner in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP). 

I specialise in supporting children and young people who have experienced trauma in relationships, loss and separation and I was a Clinical Psychologist for 12 years in the NHS and trauma psychology services before making the move into independent practice in 2021.

I provide training for professionals in all aspects of trauma, DDP and the central DDP attitude of PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy). As a DDP Trainer I provide DDP Level One and DDP Level Two trainings as well as bespoke trainings that are tailored to the needs of the group and offer both an understanding and an experience of PACE in action. My DDP PACE training is supported by the DDP Institute.

Imgi 6 Billy Smythe2

Feedback

Billy (the trainer) was amazing in how he helped to explain PACE in a way that was appropriate and relevant. He made quite complex concepts simple and easy to understand.

Foster carer

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