The Collective Body: Trauma, Regulation & Connection

Description

In recent years, trauma-informed practice has undergone a profound shift, shaped by groundbreaking frameworks such as The Body Keeps the Score. As therapists, health professionals, community workers and educators, we are increasingly called to move beyond talk-based models and towards approaches that recognise the body as central to recovery, regulation, resilience, learning and change. With this in mind, we are honoured to welcome internationally renowned trauma therapist, community activist and educator Dr Amber Gray to Australia for an exclusive two-day professional development intensive. Amber’s work represents global best practice in the integration of somatic psychology and movement-based trauma therapy. She offers a deeply practical, embodied, and immediately applicable approach to supporting regulation, healing and transformation in work with both individuals and groups.

This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from a world leader in somatic trauma therapy in the stunning setting of Byron Bay. Dr Amber Gray’s teaching style is grounded, accessible, and deeply experiential, offering participants not only cutting-edge theory and practice but also the chance to feel and embody her methods. In a time where burnout and nervous system dysregulation are increasingly common for clients, practitioners, groups and communities, this weekend intensive offers a powerful reset: an invitation to return to the body, restore regulation, and strengthen the skills needed to support your clients/participants and communities with greater confidence, safety, and care.

What You'll Learn

• Learn practical nervous system regulation tools from Restorative Movement Psychotherapy, using rhythm, breath, sound, and movement.

• Learn how to cultivate greater relative safety when working with complex trauma and chronic stress, both with individuals and in group settings.

• Integrate body-based practices into your clinical or professional work, including the ventral/social engagement system and its role in shaping group dynamics.

• The art of group work - from small to large to community-based using the dynamic synthesis of creative arts, dance and movement, and rhythm and voice.

Who is this Professional Development Intensive For?

This training is suitable for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge of polyvagal theory, trauma and the body in individual and group settings including:

• Creative Arts Therapists (Dance Movement Therapists, Art Therapists, Music Therapists, Drama Therapists) 

• Allied Health Professionals

• Psychotherapists

• Counsellors 

• Psychologists

• Social Workers

• Teachers & Educators

• Mental Health & Community Workers

• Yoga, Dance & Body-based (Somatic) Teachers/Trainers

This is a professional development workshop. A certificate will be issued upon completion of the 2-day training. Please check with your relevant professional association to claim 12 CPD hours.

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-eight 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 the Polyvagal Institute’s editorial board.

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.

“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

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

Weekend Intensive Details

Date:  Saturday 18 April, 2026

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

12:30pm - 1:30pm: Lunch - 1 hour - please note lunch is provided and vegetarian

4:30pm: Day 1 Workshop Ends

Date: Sunday 19 April, 2026

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

12:30pm - 1:30pm : Lunch - 1 hour - please note lunch is provided and vegetarian

4:30pm: Workshop Concludes

What to wear

• Comfortable clothing suitable for gentle movement

What to bring

• Notebook & pen

• Water bottle

• Swimmers & towel if you plan on swimming either before or after the workshop or at lunchtime

What's included

• Vegetarian lunch both days

• Free use of the heated pool at the venue (please bring your own towel)

• Tea & fruit

• Coffee and sweet treats are available for purchase at the Cafe

Venue & Accommodation

The Byron Yoga Centre is located 1km from the centre of Byron Bay. If you're attending from out of town, the venue has limited accommodation onsite on a first-come, first-served basis. However, there are multiple accommodation options nearby. If you wish to book accommodation with the venue, please visit this link: Weekend Immersion with Dr Amber Gray Accommodation 2026