Reflections From The Team: Dr Eleanor Brown's DDP Journey

At Therapeutic Blueprint, professional reflection is part of our DNA, and this month, we took time as a team to reflect on the varied journeys that have shaped who we are today. One particular journey we’ve been inspired by is that of Dr Eleanor Brown, who is approaching the completion of her practicum to become a certified DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) Consultant.

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Eleanor’s journey through DDP has been more than just about credentials; it’s been about transformation, contribution, and meaningful integration of therapeutic principles in real-world contexts, particularly within residential care.

Merging DDP with Residential Life

As many professionals know, adapting DDP for use within residential settings presents unique challenges and opportunities. Eleanor has long been passionate about bridging that gap - helping adults in children’s homes to develop and upskill their therapeutic skills that allow them to engage in non-threatening, meaningful conversations with the children they support.

This means not just adopting a model, but adapting it, finding ways to honour the child’s story, needs, and relational experiences even in the midst of complex team dynamics and organisational systems.

Dr Eleanor Brown reflected on this merge and it was concluded that we have seen a real growth in the awareness of the use of DDP in residential in recent years and we love how the two are journeying together!

Supporting Change from Within

Alongside her practicum, Eleanor is actively contributing to the evolution of DDP as a whole, serving on one of the DDPI working groups focused on evaluating the training and certification process. This forward-thinking group is exploring how the model can grow and stay responsive to the changing needs of practitioners and the communities they serve.

We’ve also seen a wider growth of DDP in residential care, and it’s something the team are deeply excited about. Seeing the model evolve alongside the needs of the sector has felt both necessary and affirming.

Diversity, Culture, and the Path Ahead

Another area where Eleanor and our team have been deeply invested is in supporting the diversification of DDP. This was reflected on during last year’s DDPI Conference, where themes of intersectionality and inclusion were reflected upon. In residential work, we are often navigating complex systems of identity, culture, and lived experience, and we know that therapeutic models must be both culturally aware and context-sensitive.

At Therapeutic Blueprint, we’ve been actively seeking support, training, and supervision to ensure we’re better equipped to meet the diverse needs of the children, families, and services we support.

We are working in exciting, reflective, and evolving times, and stories like Dr Eleanor Brown’s remind us that professional growth is not just about reaching new heights, but about looking around, listening deeply, and ensuring that the tools we use are accessible, adaptive, and attuned to the children who need them most.

Here’s to the ongoing journey of professional growth and reflection!