The Science Behind Feeling Safe and Supported
Compassionate, Trauma Informed Care Rooted in Polyvagal Theory
At the All Is Well Approach, we specialise in Trauma Informed care that recognises how stress and trauma affect children — and the adults who support them — emotionally, mentally, and physiologically. This deep understanding guides everything we do. By creating safe, compassionate spaces grounded in Polyvagal Theory, we help children regulate emotions, build resilience, and develop trust, while also supporting the wellbeing of staff, families, and school communities.
Our approach combines Trauma Informed practice, Animal Assisted Interventions, and evidence based strategies to nurture connection, growth, and emotional safety. Schools and families working with the All Is Well Approach benefit from holistic support that strengthens relationships, enhances learning, and creates thriving, resilient communities.
What is Trauma Informed Care?
Trauma Informed care means recognising that many children, and the adults who support them, may have experienced stressful or challenging events that affect how they feel, think, and behave. Instead of judging behaviour, we see it as a form of communication: a way of expressing unmet needs, past experiences, or emotional distress.
At the All Is Well Approach, we apply Trauma Informed principles in schools, therapy sessions, and support programmes, helping children feel safe, understood, and ready to learn. By responding with empathy, patience, and practical strategies, we promote emotional safety, wellbeing, and connection across the whole community — from classrooms and homes to support organisations and beyond.
Research shows that Trauma Informed approaches can reduce stress responses, support emotional regulation, improve engagement, and enhance learning outcomes for children. Integrating these principles into everyday practice helps create environments where children can thrive, staff feel supported, and relationships are strengthened.
What is Polyvagal Theory?
Polyvagal Theory is a science backed framework that explains how the nervous system responds to stress, safety, and emotional experiences in both children and adults. It helps us understand why we might feel anxious, shut down, overwhelmed, or disconnected — showing that these reactions are our body’s way of trying to keep us safe.
At the All Is Well Approach, we use Polyvagal Theory to guide our work in schools and therapy sessions. By recognising how the nervous system reacts to stress and connection, we can create environments where children feel safe, calm, and supported. This approach helps children regulate their emotions, build confidence, and engage more fully in learning, while also supporting the wellbeing of staff and adults who care for them.
Research shows that interventions informed by Polyvagal Theory can improve emotional regulation, reduce stress responses, and strengthen social connection. Applying these principles across classrooms, therapy sessions, and whole-school practices helps build resilience, curiosity, and meaningful relationships.
The Benefits of Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs, like Lola from the All Is Well Approach, offer a unique and powerful form of emotional support. Their calm, non-judgmental presence helps reduce anxiety, lower stress hormones such as cortisol, and promote feelings of safety, connection, and wellbeing. Research shows that interacting with a Therapy Dog can slow breathing and heart rate, activating the parasympathetic nervous system — the branch responsible for rest, relaxation, and healing.
In schools and educational settings, Therapy Dogs encourage social engagement, support emotional regulation, and build trust, particularly for children who have experienced trauma or face emotional challenges. At the All Is Well Approach, we combine Animal Assisted Interventions with Trauma Informed practice, creating a holistic approach that nurtures both mind and body. This supports resilience, confidence, and wellbeing for children, as well as the staff and adults who care for them.
Scientific evidence and practical experience confirm that Therapy Dogs can enhance learning environments, improve focus, and build meaningful relationships. By integrating these interventions thoughtfully, schools can provide children with safe, supportive spaces to grow emotionally, socially, and academically.
How We Use This in Our Work
Our sessions and workshops blend trauma informed care and Polyvagal Theory to offer gentle, effective support for both children and the adults who care for them:
Creating safe, predictable environments where emotions can be explored without fear or shame
Using Therapy Dog Lola’s calm, grounding presence to support co-regulation and connection
Teaching simple, practical tools to recognise emotions and self-soothe in real-life situations
Empowering children, educators, and families with knowledge and strategies that nurture connection, resilience, and wellbeing
By supporting both the mind and body, we help children and adults move from surviving to thriving — with kindness and respect every step of the way.
Want to see our full range of support for schools and communities? Visit our homepage for more details.