Enhance your trauma-sensitive practice skills with this comprehensive online workshop, covering fundamental principles of trauma sensitive practice, nervous system regulation strategies, the 3-phase model of trauma work and self-care essentials for clinicians.

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

Date: Wednesday 7th May 2025 and Wednesday 14th May 2025
Time: 1.00pm to 5.00pm AEST (Both days)
Location: Online

Please note: This is a 2 part series. Participants are required to attend both dates.

Who should attend

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

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. We will prioritise these registrations.

About the facilitator

Shirley Hicks

Shirley is committed to resourcing clinicians to embody the principles of trauma sensitive care for themselves and in turn respond effectively and safely for their clients. To this end, her hope is to inspire clinicians in their work and to provide them longevity and satisfaction in their profession. Shirley is always exploring the question “ What is it that really makes the difference for both clinician and client?”

Shirley Hicks is a practising somatic psychotherapist, educator and yoga teacher, with a private clinic based on the Gold Coast. In her practice of over 3 decades Shirley supports survivors of religious, cult and ritual abuse, redress clients and Victims of Crime NSW.

Shirley has facilitated skills enhancement workshops since 2012 for both yoga teachers and mental health clinicians who are either actively working with or have a desire to expand their skills when working with trauma and mental health clients. An engaging communicator, Shirley has been a contributor to the Wellbeing Magazine, produced and presented a healthy lifestyle program on 2 RRR radio in Sydney for a number of years and was founder of Laughter Clubs NSW in 2000.

Check out this interview where Shirley explores co-regulation in clinical practice- https://weallwearitdifferently.com/2020/07/trauma-sensitive-yoga-with-shirley-hicks/