Working with Trauma - Fundamental Principles of Trauma Sensitive Practice (Online)

This is a two part, online series exploring the fundamental principles of trauma sensitive practice.  Delivered on Zoom, the workshop will include plenty of space for breaks, movement and reflective work.  

In the first session we will explore:

• What makes an event potentially traumatising - the 3 factors of not being able to get to safety, not having choice and never knowing the situation was going to end.
• Origins of trauma - in this section we explore the many origins of trauma.
• How the nervous system is shaped by trauma - the neurobiology of trauma and two helpful nervous system models including Polyvagal Theory and the Window of Tolerance.
• Embodiment vs disembodiment - how we inhabit our own nervous system and the impact on a safe co-regulated relationship.
• Regulation strategies for effective nervous system operation.

In the second session we will explore:

• Key principles of trauma sensitive practice:
  • The 3-Phase model of working with trauma including:
    • Safety - all the domains of safety.
    • Predictability.
    • Consistency.
    • Choice & effective action.
    • Developing curiosity & interoceptive mindful awareness.
    • Resourcing - identifying current resources and building additional resources.
• Clinician self-care - working with burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma and exploring what inspires, nurtures and supports the clinician.

Learning Outcomes

• Increased understanding of the fundamental principles of trauma sensitive practice.
• Increased understanding of caring for self while doing this work.

Event details (two part series, both sessions must be attended)

Date: Wednesday 31 July and Wednesday 7 August 2024
Time: 1.00pm to 5.00pm AEST (Both days)
Location: Online

Who should attend

This workshop is for workers in domestic and family violence, sexual violence and women's health and wellbeing services.  

About the facilitator

Shirley Hicks

Shirley Hicks is a practising somatic psychotherapist, educator and yoga teacher, with a private clinic based in the Gold Coast at Varsity Lakes. She supports survivors of cult and ritual abuse, redress clients and Victims of Crime NSW. Shirley has supported clients of the Mental Health Fellowship through body-based yoga programs. She has been working in the Mental Health sector for close to 3 decades. She also facilitates in-house yoga-based programs for clients with mental health and trauma challenges. As co-founder of Trauma Sensitive Yoga Australia (which has recently closed) she has facilitated skills enhancement workshops since 2012, for yoga teachers who are either actively working with or have a desire to expand their skills when working with trauma and mental health clients.