With over three decades of experience as a Child Trauma Specialist and Consultant, Stephan Friedrich is deeply committed to understanding and addressing the root causes of childhood trauma. His work has reshaped paradigms and inspired hope in the face of adversity.
Stephan’s career began in the early 1990s with a groundbreaking drama-based group therapy initiative within the walls of Pentridge Prison. This innovative approach marked the start of his long-term dedication to empowering disadvantaged youth. Over the years, Stephan has managed youth remand and custodial programs and spearheaded rehabilitative efforts for young offenders, leaving an indelible mark on Australia’s youth welfare landscape.
In the mid-2000s, Stephan’s career trajectory took a transformative turn. Driven by a belief in the power of trauma theory, he shifted his focus toward understanding the nexus between trauma and behavior. This pivotal shift laid the groundwork for his work with Knightlamp Psychology and Consulting, where he serves as both founder and principal consultant.
Through Knightlamp, Stephan has continued to innovate and lead in the field of child trauma, providing critical insights and strategies that empower individuals and communities to heal and thrive. To learn more about Knightlamp Psychology and Consulting, visit their website here.
Today, we bring you an exclusive interview with Stephan Friedrich to learn more about his expertise and journey as a child trauma specialist and consultant.
Q. What inspired you to start Knightlamp?
Stephan: I spent many years working in the Juvenile Justice system. Over time, I saw that despite the millions of dollars being invested in the ‘correction’ of their behaviour, I saw little change in these young people overall. I felt an overwhelming despair, I came into this work to make a difference and didn’t know how to achieve it.
I often saw kids released from their custodial sentences only to return through what became known as the ‘revolving door’. I also came to know their histories, and that almost all of them had one thing in common; they had been born into environments that could only be described as traumatic. Their stories inevitably included neglect, chaotic and violent environments or abuse, or all of them together. It became clear to me that so many of these kids required healing, not punishment.
The emerging knowledge base regarding what was termed ‘developmental trauma’ was growing at the time, and I eagerly soaked it all up and transferred to a new role as care manager of a new trauma-informed therapeutic residential care program. After a couple of years we had plenty of evidence that this counter-intuitive approach was working and that as children healed, their behaviour, demeanour, and self-worth followed. My despair was replaced with enthusiasm and hope.
Several years later I founded Knightlamp. I wanted to open a company that attracted like-minded skilled professionals, but mainly, I no longer wanted to be constrained by the limits of a government role that often left me immobilised by endless red tape, didn’t allow for creative solutions, and prevented me from speaking publicly. In the name ‘Knightlamp’ we captured the two vital tenets of our approach, Safety and Knowledge.
Q. Can you explain what Knightlamp does in more detail?
Stephan: Our aim is to improve the life trajectory of children and young people whose start to life has been infused with trauma that has not only compromised a range of capacities but often infuses them with a feeling of hopelessness and low self-worth that places them at a serious disadvantage.
By providing guidance to the systems and adults around them in applying therapeutic care principles tailored to the child, each one can heal and have the same life opportunities as their peers. This work entails working directly with children and their families, thorough assessments, provision of trauma-informed behavioural support, coaching carers and teachers, and providing training for professionals, carers, and schools.
Q. Your book How to Tuck a Gangster into Bed has been well-received. What motivated you to write it, and what key message do you hope readers take away?
Stephan: The most valuable thing I’ve learned about developmental trauma is that the most effective therapy, the best outcomes, occur when the responsible and safe adults in an affected young person’s life are truly informed about the impact of trauma, and how best to care for and respond in order to facilitate the healing process. Evidence has shown that this is far more effective than weekly sessions with a therapist. I wrote the stories in this book with this in mind.
My goal with the book was to make this knowledge accessible to anyone who was interested. I stayed clear of academic jargon and used real anecdotes with a sprinkle of humour to achieve this. I believe every parent, foster carer, and school teacher needs to know these things, and we won’t achieve this by keeping knowledge stored away and inaccessible in academic journals.
Q. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career and how did you overcome them?
Stephan: My biggest challenge is always the challenge of pre-existing paradigms in the care, justice, and education systems. I find it incredibly frustrating, that although we have clear evidence regarding ‘what works’ in residential care, governments are still reluctant to commit to effective models. That these systems are so attached to old, ineffective models of behaviour change that they are reluctant to try new and proven approaches.
Q. What keeps you motivated and passionate about your work?
Stephan: Knowing kids living in the aftermath of abuse and neglect can heal keeps me motivated. Seeing them get better, being proud of themselves, and allowing themselves to feel joy, keeps me passionate.
To keep up with Stephan Friedrich and Knightlamp, visit their website or connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.