Trauma in School and at Home: What Every Teacher and Parent Should Know

In this powerful episode of the Able to Care Podcast, host Andy Baker is joined by childhood trauma expert Shahana Knight, founder of TPC Therapy and the visionary behind the Therapeutic Schools approach. Together, they unpack how childhood trauma affects learning, behaviour, and wellbeing—and why traditional classroom models often fall short.

Shahana shares her deeply personal story, how her father’s struggles with trauma inspired her work, and the evidence-backed changes schools can make to create therapeutic environments. From the power of play to the impact of overstimulation and digital overload, this episode is full of insights for educators, parents, and caregivers.

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🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned

• TPC Therapy Website: www.tpctherapy.co.uk
  
  
• Shahana Knight’s Book: Therapeutic Teaching
  
  
• Therapeutic Classroom Tour (YouTube): Watch Here
  
  
• The Able Hub: www.ablehub.uk – Free 14-day trial for carers and educators
  
  
• Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
  
  

🧠 Three Key Messages

1. Trauma Lives in the Body and the Classroom: Children with trauma often enter school in survival mode—traditional models miss this completely.
   
   
2. Environment Shapes Regulation: A therapeutic classroom isn't just pretty—it's scientifically designed to calm stress and promote emotional safety.
   
   
3. Adults Must Heal Too: You can't be truly trauma-informed without recognising and managing your own emotional triggers.
   
   

⏱️ Chapter Timestamps

00:00 – Intro & Sponsor: Carers Card UK
02:00 – Meet Shahana Knight
04:00 – The Origin of Therapeutic Classrooms
09:00 – Trauma's Impact on Learning & Self-Regulation
15:00 – Tech Overload: Why Kids Are Always in Fight or Flight
21:00 – Parenting in Survival Mode
28:00 – Signs of Trauma in Schoolchildren
35:00 – What a Therapeutic Classroom Looks Like
45:00 – Autonomy, Motivation & Emotional Literacy
55:00 – The Role of Educators Beyond Academics
01:00:00 – What’s Next for TPC Therapy

🎯 Why Listen to This Episode?

Whether you’re a teacher, caregiver, parent, or school leader, this conversation is a masterclass in trauma-informed practice. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a child’s behaviour and didn’t know where to start—this episode is for you. Learn how to see beyond the behaviour and create environments that heal, not harm.