A Polyvagal-informed Dance/Movement Therapy Workshop with Dr Amber Gray

Workshop Overview

Trauma can profoundly alter our lives, often causing us to "lose our rhythm." For survivors, the connection between their inner and outer worlds—between internal sensations and external experiences—may feel fragmented. Familiar ways of being and moving may begin to reflect inner struggles of fear, loss, and terror. Polyvagal-informed Somatic and Dance/Movement Therapy acknowledges this disconnection, providing pathways to rediscover embodied resilience. This approach integrates grounded theory with both structured and free-flowing practices, helping to restore the body’s natural rhythm as expressed through breath, heartbeat, and movement.

In this one-day course, participants will explore a blend of theory, experiential, and practical application, unlocking their own capacity for healing and acquiring effective tools to support trauma survivors on their path to recovery.

What You Will Learn

The impact of trauma on movement, perception, and emotional regulation.
Apply Polyvagal-Informed Dance/Movement Therapy in your professional work.
Rebalance through breath, rhythm, and movement-focused practices.

Who Is This Workshop For?

This training is suitable for any therapist/student wanting to expand their knowledge of trauma and the body including:

Creative Arts Therapists (Dance Movement Therapists, Art Therapists, Music Therapists, Drama Therapists)
Psychotherapists
Counsellors
Psychologists
Social Workers

This workshop is suitable for those who are new to Polyvagal-informed Dance/Movement Therapy, as well as those who have attended previous workshops presented by Dr Amber Grey and wish to extend their knowledge further.

This is a professional development workshop, not a dance class. You do not need any prior dance experience to participate.

About Dr Amber Gray

Dr Amber Gray is a human rights psychotherapist, movement artist, board-certified dance/movement therapist, master trainer and educator, Continuum teacher, and accomplished public health professional. She has dedicated the past twenty years to working with survivors of trauma, torture, war, and human rights violations. She is renowned for her integration of somatic psychology and polyvagal theory with movement-based therapies such as dance/movement therapy, yoga, and continuum. She is also a member of Polyvagal Institute’s editorial board.

“Amber Gray is a passionate and compassionate trauma therapist and teacher/trainer, whose treatment model transcends disciplines. She has brilliantly infused and integrated Polyvagal Theory with its central theme of searching, obtaining, and maintaining somatic feelings of safety with movement therapies. Her work has had profound impact on survivors of torture, war and trauma by enabling them to experience safety and for their nervous systems to become sufficiently integrated to express love and trust of others.”

– Dr Stephen Porges

Dr Amber Gray’s Restorative Movement Psychotherapy is deeply rooted in polyvagal-informed dance/movement therapy. This approach centers on the use of breath, sound, and movement as key pathways to help regulate the nervous system after traumatic experiences.

If you're interested in learning more about Amber, please visit her website.

Workshop Details

Date: Tuesday, 25 March 2025.

9:00AM: Doors Open for Registration.

9:30AM: Workshop Commences - yoga mats/blankets/bolsters provided.

Lunch - 1 hour - please note lunch is not provided. There are numerous eateries located 400m down the road from the venue if you wish to purchase lunch. There is also a fridge located at the venue if you wish to bring your own.

4:30PM: Workshop Ends.

What to wear: comfortable clothing suitable for gentle movement.

What to bring: notebook, pen, water bottle.

Venue

Soul Space, 23 Parker St, Newmarket, Brisbane.

Parking: Parking is free and available on either Parker St, Foster St or Kelvin St.

Bus: 450m to the main bus stop on Enoggera Rd.

Train: 2.8km to Windsor train station, 1.2km to Newmarket train station.