This week, we were pleased to welcome psychodynamic psychotherapist Laura Mae Brown as our guest for our most recent Middle School parent seminar, discussing ‘listening well’.
Laura Mae is a psychodynamic psychotherapist and the Wellbeing and Therapeutic Lead at Putney High School, as well as being Pastoral Trust Consultant Teacher for the GDST. With extensive experience across schools, charities, and mental health services, Laura Mae provided valuable insights into supporting young people’s mental health and shared practical ways for parents to foster emotional wellbeing.
Laura Mae highlighted the importance of validating children’s feelings by truly listening without immediately offering solutions. She encouraged parents to use simple phrases like ‘I hear you’ or ‘Thank you for sharing that with me’, and to be present in the moment rather than attempting to ‘fix’ any discomfort. Acknowledging children’s experiences without changing them can make them feel genuinely heard and understood.
Another key takeaway was the value of managing our own emotions when children struggle, which allows us to stay calm and present for them. Laura Mae suggested using techniques such as deep breathing to help children feel supported and at ease. She also discussed the importance of authenticity in conversations; sharing personal experiences can be helpful but sharing a focus on the time and environment within which we are sharing can make an instrumental difference how students feel when sharing their emotions.
Laura Mae also covered compassionate boundaries as well as sharing valuable ideas about self-care as guardians and carers. Her visit provided valuable tools for building connection, resilience, and emotional understanding as we support our children’s growth.
Middle School parent seminars at Bromley High School are informative and collaborative events, bringing the latest research on supporting middle school-aged girls directly to our school community. The seminars provide a dedicated space for parents to engage with expert insights, ask questions, and discuss common challenges. It’s an opportunity to share experiences, gather resources, and strengthen connections between parents and educators in support of students’ well-being and development.
The next Middle School parent seminar will take place on Tuesday 3rd December at 2pm and will focus around speech and language styles.
