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Richard Rowlandson draws from over five decades of experience at the Mulberry Bush School to share profound insights about therapeutic residential care for traumatised children. His journey from New York City to the English countryside led to a lifelong commitment to creating environments where troubled children can learn to live with themselves and others.

At the heart of Richard's approach is the concept of belonging. He eloquently unpacks how children who don't feel "held in mind" by adults will produce behaviours to be "on their mind" instead – even when those behaviours have negative consequences. This fundamental understanding transforms how we view challenging behaviour: "If I can't be in their mind, I better be on their mind, because if I'm not either of those places, I'm out of their mind and out of my mind."

Richard shares powerful stories that illuminate the patient, persistent work required to help children heal from relational trauma. Using the beautiful metaphor of "tempo rubato" from music – time that has been stolen – he explains how these children have had their childhood time stolen, and therapeutic communities work to give some of that time back. This perspective challenges our results-driven culture, reminding us that "the long-term hurt many of these children have suffered requires some long-term work."

For educators and caregivers in mainstream settings, Richard offers practical wisdom about the power of community. He suggests that schools have enormous untapped potential to foster belonging simply by creating regular spaces where students can reflect together on "how are we doing?" This simple shift – emphasizing "we" rather than isolating troubled individuals – could transform school cultures without requiring them to become full therapeutic communities.

Whether you work directly with traumatised children or simply care about creating more healing environments for young people, this conversation offers both practical guidance and profound inspiration. Richard's lifetime commitment to this work stands as testament to its value, with former pupils still reaching out decades later to acknowledge the difference it made in their lives.

Richard’s Bio

Richard has a long association with Residential Therapeutic Communities, having worked at the Mulberry Bush School for well over 20 years and where, from 1991 to 2001, he was its Director. He was also Director, Children and Young People, at the Peper Harow Foundation, from 2001 to 2005. 

Richard qualified as a Social Worker with an MSc from Oxford University in 1983, following the then Part 1 training in Child Psychotherapy at the Tavistock Centre. In 2005 he completed the Ashridge MA and training in Organisational Consulting. He has been Chairman of the Charterhouse Group of Therapeutic Communities and for many years the Chairman of the Care Leavers’ Foundation. In 2014 he became Chair of Trustees at the Mulberry Bush School, only recently stepping down from that position, while remaining a Trustee with a special brief for the links and development of the contacts with and participation of former pupils. He has published numerous articles and continues to lecture widely across the UK and Europe.

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Disclaimer

Information reported by guests of this podcast is assumed to be accurate as stated. Podcast owner Colby Pearce is not responsible for any error of facts presented by podcast guests. In addition, unless otherwise specified, opinions expressed by guests of this podcast may not reflect those of the podcast owner, Colby Pearce.

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