The work of Carmel Byrne, 
NNEB RNMH DipCC IAHIP WFH 
at Amethyst

Carmel Byrne trained and worked professionally in the field of child care with both mentally and physically disabled children for over 25 years. She has closely studied the work of Violet Oaklander (Windows to our Children) with teenagers and children and the work of William Emerson on birth refacilitation with infants and children.
Carmel works with infants and children - and also teaches parents, therapists and others the different techniques for birth trauma healing. These include play therapy, storytelling as in birth stories, animal stories to reach aggression, birth simulating massage, movement and mime, painting, toys, role play, sand trays, birth games, and the use of tents, caterpillar tunnels and cushions.
The improvisation and restructuring of birth trauma with babies from 6 weeks' old is done using gentle massage and music with energy healing work.
Carmel stresses that although children go into traumatised states it is done by play therapy, gently and in small groups or individually with the support of parents. Other family members may be present who may be instrumental to the success of the empathic process.
There is immediate bonding with loving cuddles and hugs with mummy and daddy, with soft music in the background.

Healing Birth Trauma in Infants and Children
Shirley A Ward © 1998