Over the last 10-15 years there has been a significant change in acuity, complexity and service delivery models within the Mental Health context. There appears to have been a marked increase in the presentation of suicidal, self-harming and trauma related presentations - with adverse childhood experiences being a complicating factor for most of these.

The significant impact of developmental trauma on neurobiology combined with ongoing communication failure impacts on capacity to self-regulate, develop identity, engage and participate. Challenges that can make it difficult for therapists to provide effective mental health treatment, can present a significant barrier to the generalisation of talking interventions, and may lead to increased therapeutic disengagement and dropout.

The use of therapeutic story formats to facilitate engagement and emotional/behavioural change has a strong evidence base in the literature. Implementation of these strategies had been observed to assist young people understanding abstract psychological concepts through an accessible and engaging process. So started the Evolve Therapeutic Services (ETS) Caveman Series development and journey.

The ETS Caveman Series is a free straightforward animated graphic novel style resource designed to assist children/young people, and their carer/s, in developing an understanding of stress and trauma, the body’s reaction to stress and trauma related emotions, and possible therapeutic ideas to reduce the impact of these overwhelming emotions. The free set of four language scaffolded easy to use therapy tools, and a separate user guide, has been specifically designed for children and young people presenting with a range of neurodiverse challenges and is intended to be used as a sequential interactive therapeutic ‘tool’. The Series can be used within a one on one therapeutic and/or group setting, and then within the home context to assist the generalisation of knowledge and strategies.