The LIFE training manual provides a way of bringing a group of practitioners together within a commonality in order  to build a team elan. Through camaraderie and interconnection this helps to generate a secure base and  insights around the impact of inter-generational trauma whilst building a life vision, developing recovery capital along with sustaining  emotional recovery capital.

The PIE training is based upon the following components: 

•  The legislation that shapes the container (Bion, 1962) which then impacts on the way that practitioners interact on a micro level with the young people. 

• Ensuring the practitioner is able  to reflect on action and in action.

• Building on the young people’s strengths to generate emotional recovery.

• Undertaking a person centred approach to develop rapport and trust.

• Developing a secure base and knowing why this is vital for enhancing emotional well being.

• Understanding the role of defence mechanisms and how these arise  along with their positive role for young people.

• Developing partnership working with other practitioners to generate a holistic form of care.

• Understanding the impact of complex trauma and how this shapes a sense of self.

• Developing insights around the formation of masculinities, the formation of the feminine and how this works within a polarity. 

• Working with difference and how to develop insight into other peoples cultures and experiences .

• Working with scaffolding to build recovery capital.

• Looking after the self and working on issues around vicarious trauma.

• Adler’s (1913,  1932) concepts of inferiority/superiority, schemas of apperception, formation of private logic, development of teleological end goal and how this shapes the lifestyle. 

• Laing’s (1960) concepts of double bind, elusion, formation of false self and the role of mental health as a positive dynamic for a negative ecological system .

• Bronfenbrenner’s (1979, 1986) role of the ecological system; how the macro world shapes the micro world of the individual.

• Roger’s (1959) concepts of genuineness, empathy, congruity and unconditional positive regard. 

• Stack Sullivan (1953) and the ideas around the positive role of the ‘best friend’ and the formation of ‘security operations’.