In this episode, Jay Vaughan MBE, CEO of Family Futures, and trainer explores why NPP works, the powerful research outcomes behind it, and how professionals across disciplines can apply this neuro-sequential approach in their own practice.
If you’re a social worker, therapist, teacher, professional supporting children and families or parent this episode is for you.
You can find the the Family Futures research findings here.
The 2023 research referenced in the discussion [Family‑based psychological interventions for domestically adoptive families: a systematic review]
Timestamp topic guide
00:35 – Jay’s role at Family Futures
Jay shares her background, passion for therapy, and ongoing work with children and families.
02:02 – The Family Futures journey
Reflection on 28 years of practice and over 30 years working with children from the care system.
02:32 – What is NPP?
Jay explains Neuro-Physiological Psychotherapy (NPP) – working with brain and body, neuro-sequential thinking, and supporting regulation, relationships, and reflective thinking.
03:36 – The evidence base
Overview of research since 2016, including the 2019 published study, positive outcomes, and comparison studies highlighting the risks of no intervention.
06:04 – Disseminating the model
Why Family Futures wants to share NPP beyond Family Futures and how it can be applied more widely.
07:16 – NPP as a framework, not just a therapy
Exploring how professionals from a wide range of disciplines can use NPP thinking in their work.
10:18 – Application across contexts
How different professionals (teachers, OTs, social workers, psychotherapists) can apply NPP strategies in practice.
11:30 – Training and assessments
Level 1 outcomes: becoming NPP-informed and able to contribute to multidisciplinary assessments.
11:53 – Collaboration opportunities
Family Futures’ plans to support lone providers and organisations with shared assessments and frameworks.
15:31 – Level 2 training
A deeper dive into complex cases, child-on-parent violence, parenting assessments, and live supervision.
16:35 – What makes NPP unique?
Discussion of multimodal, integrated approaches and why NPP is different from other interventions.
18:57 – Demand and recognition
How NPP is being recognised (including in EHCPs), and the importance of clearer communication about the model.
22:20 – The neuro-sequential approach
Why regulation is foundational for learning and functioning – and how trauma complicates this process.
23:22 – The wider societal cost
The impact of unsupported trauma on society, including links to education, prison, and mental health.
26:00 – A framework that works
Celebrating that NPP is not guesswork, but a model proven by research and outcomes.