PACE for PARENTS: Module 2 (2/2) – OPEN COURSE

This is the SECOND instalment of a two-part Pace for Parents training course. Everyone needs to do Module one BEFORE this course. Please ensure that both courses are booked. 

Core Aims

The overarching aims of PACE mindset training are:

1. Establish Secure Attachment and Trust: To equip parents/carers with an attitude (PACE) that fosters safe, trusting, and positive relationships with their children, particularly those who have experienced developmental trauma or attachment disruption.
2. Foster Therapeutic Care: To help caregivers move beyond traditional behavioural management to a trauma-informed, relational approach that focuses on the child's "inner life" (feelings, needs, and motives) rather than just their external behaviour.
3. Promote Child Regulation and Reflection: To enable parents/carers to support their child's emotional regulation and to reflect on their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, ultimately leading to positive change.

Key Objectives

1. Understanding Trauma and Attachment

• Understand Developmental Trauma: Gain a foundational understanding of how early life trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) impact a child's brain development, behaviour, and relationships.
• Recognise Complex Needs: Understand why children with complex histories present with challenging behaviours, viewing these behaviours as communication of unmet needs rather than simple disobedience.
• Grasp Attachment Theory: Explore different attachment styles and learn how the PACE model helps to build or strengthen a secure attachment base.

2. Implementing the PACE Principles

• Define and Utilise PACE: Develop a working knowledge of the four elements of PACE: Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy, and understand how to integrate them into daily interactions flexibly.
• Practice Playfulness: Learn techniques to introduce lightness, joy, and emotional connection to diffuse tense situations and make difficult topics more manageable.
• Demonstrate Acceptance: Learn to communicate unconditional acceptance of the child's inner life (feelings, intentions, thoughts) without necessarily accepting harmful behaviour.
• Apply Curiosity: Develop a non-judgmental, wondering attitude ("I wonder if you're feeling...") to understand the meaning behind the child's behaviour.
• Show Empathy: Learn to actively validate and connect with the child's emotions, demonstrating compassion and a shared experience of their distress ("I get how difficult this is for you").

3. Therapeutic Parenting Skills

• Respond with Connection over Control: Learn to respond to challenging behaviour with a focus on emotional connection and co-regulation, rather than using punitive measures.
• Improve Communication: Develop effective verbal and non-verbal communication tools that convey safety, understanding, and trust to the child.
• Manage Personal Regulation: Reflect on their own emotional responses (e.g., "blocked care" or getting escalated) and develop self-care strategies to remain calm and regulated during challenging moments, thereby modelling regulation for the child.

The PACE for Parenting course is NOT

• A place to discuss the specifics of a participant’s situation.
• Therapy/counselling / one-to-one action planning.
• A place to get advice or guidance on how to tackle relationships with social services/ social workers / legal parties.

It is essential that everyone starts with Module 1, or they may feel overwhelmed by the subsequent course. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the PACE for Parents training?
PACE for Parents is a practical, trauma-informed course based on Dan Hughes’ PACE model designed to help parents connect emotionally and support their child’s regulation and attachment.

2. Who is PACE for Parents aimed at?
This training is ideal for parents, guardians, and family members supporting children who may have experienced trauma or have attachment needs, helping build secure, emotionally safe family relationships.

3. How will PACE for Parents support my child?
PACE empowers parents to respond to challenging behaviours with connection instead of control, supporting emotional regulation, reducing conflict, and fostering safer, trust-filled attachments at home.

4. What does the PACE for Parents course include?
The foundations of the PACE approach. It includes live instruction, real-life examples, guided exercises, and practical tools to begin applying Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy at home.

5. Is the PACE for Parents training evidence-based?
Yes, the PACE model is grounded in attachment theory, neuroscience, and decades of clinical practice. Families report greater emotional connection, better behaviour regulation, and more peaceful parenting after using it.

6. How do I book the PACE for Parents training?
Book both Module 1 and 2, add them to your basket, and complete payment. You’ll receive confirmation and access details by email so you can join the live online sessions.

Testimonials:

You can see what others are saying about our training HERE.

Those seeking to be certified in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) or to further explore PACE in action are invited to visit the founder's website.

Format: Live Zoom training. May include taught sections, small group work, work in pairs, and whole group discussions.

Hand-outs & Certificates: Downloadable resource library and certificates of attendance are provided.