WorkUP brings you an exciting two-day, face-to-face professional development program focused on developing practical, embodied skills for working safely and responsively with clients experiencing trauma and complex trauma.

The program supports practitioners to move beyond knowing about trauma towards developing the capacity to stay present, respond with greater choice, work safely and sustainably, and care for themselves in the work.

Grounded in the understanding that trauma-sensitive practice is not only about what we do with clients, but how we are with them, the program combines clinical education with experiential exercises, movement, self-awareness, reflection, discussion and opportunities to apply learning to your own practice.

An optional online follow-up session will be offered in early February 2027.

“I highly recommend this program and have recommended it to a number of colleagues. It is quite rare to attend a program about working with traumatised people that is actually trauma informed, person centred, flexible and safe. The training was such a valuable reminder that how we are with clients is much more important than what we know.”

Learning Outcomes:

Cultivate greater safety when working with clients

Developing Trauma-Sensitive Therapeutic Presence

Developing Sustainable Self-Care Practices

Participants will learn to apply trauma-informed frameworks, including working S.A.F.E.L.Y., the Window of Tolerance, and Polyvagal Theory, while integrating movement and movement informed interventions and somatic practices

Event Dates:

Session One: Wednesday, 25th November 2026
Session Two: Thursday, 26th November 2026

Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm (AEST time)
Location Karstens Brisbane - Level 24, 215 Adelaide Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000

Please note: This is a 2 part series. Participants should attend both sessions.

Session Three (Optional): Thursday, 4th February 2027

Time: 9:00am - 10:30am
Location: Online

Travel support is available* – click here to apply. If you are unable to download the application form please email workforce@healingfoundation.org.au to receive a copy. Target Group Services Only

Who should attend:

This workshop is designed for practitioners and advanced practitioners working in *target organisations in the domestic and family violence, sexual violence, and women’s health and wellbeing sectors.

WorkUP's target group is specialist domestic and family violence, sexual violence and women's health and well-being services funded by Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety through the Office of Women and Violence Prevention. We will prioritise these registrations.

About the facilitators:

Shirley Hicks

Shirley Hicks is a somatic psychotherapist, trauma educator, clinical supervisor, yoga teacher and mindfulness practitioner with more than 30 years of experience working at the intersection of trauma, embodiment, nervous-system regulation and relational healing.

Contact the host of Caring For Self: Caring for Others- Sustainable Trauma Responsive Practice - November 2026

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