The Trauma Recovery Toolkit: A Creative Approach to Psychoeducation

The Trauma Recovery Toolkit is a guidebook and flashcard set that has been created to empower individuals living with the effects of trauma and the mental health professionals that support them.

Inspired by the latest research surrounding mindfulness, self-compassion, neuroscience and trauma recovery, the resource explores the effect of trauma on the brain and body and offers strategies which may be helpful in combatting the symptoms. The flashcard format enables trauma survivors to creatively respond to visual aids and prompts in a way that is comfortable for them, providing mental health professionals with a more creative and person-centred approach to directing clients towards their own healing journey.

This resource includes:

• 38 colourful flashcards that can be used as standalone visual aids or as a platform for creative responses
• A guidebook delving into the individual cards, their meaning and symbolism, and the research behind them
• Additional resources to support the client’s development of their own personalised cards

Weaving together psychoeducation, creativity, symbolism, and the latest neuroscientific research, this essential toolkit offers all professionals working in mental health services a creative way to engage clients with therapy, empowering them to develop habits and ways of being that can support their recovery.

Intended for use in educational settings and/or therapy contexts under the supervision of an adult. This is not a toy.

"These wonderfully illustrated cards will be tremendously helpful in therapeutic work with trauma survivors. By bringing to life exciting yet complex information about neurobiology and trauma, they offer a compassionate and wise set of resources for exploring and healing from trauma. Highly recommended."
- Dr Jacqui Dillon, Independent Trauma Expert, Survivor and Activist

"This is a comprehensive compilation of trauma concepts and visual exercises for mental health clients with trauma histories. The beautifully illustrated flash cards provide a creative path beyond the verbal approach and can be used in partnership with professionals or by clients themselves. The visual approach produces many wonderful and apposite metaphors that will resonate with clients and help provide ways forward for people who may have been stuck for years. This is a remarkable resource for the expanding field of trauma treatment."
- Dr Marian Liebmann, Art therapist and author

"This beautifully illustrated toolkit reflects Kim Matias's depth and breadth of knowledge on Trauma Recovery. Her mastery of this subject means that she can explain complex issues clearly. Her engaging writing style and use of rich visual metaphors make this publication extremely accessible [...] this toolkit is a treasure trove of resources for therapists who will find it easy to follow and use. It will be an inspiration for anyone with a personal or professional interest in this issue."
- Val Huet, Director of Research and development, BAAT