Training & Workshops

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be given the opportunity to:

• Reflect on current service provision and apply new practices within a trauma informed framework
• Explore the link between traumatic stress and current survivor feelings and reactions.
• Examine tools to assist clients to manage traumatic stress.
• Discuss approaches to supporting domestic violence survivors to talk about the impact of traumatic stress in a trauma informed manner.
• Explore survivor reactions to experiencing domestic violence and consider appropriate interventions within the boundary of the worker’s role.

For many years children were viewed as silent witnesses to the trauma which was going on within their homes. Some even considered that children could live in these homes and not be impacted. Research indicates an alarming prevalence of domestic violence in our society and a potentially harmful impact on children. For these reasons it is important for those workers who encounter children in their work roles to have some insight into domestic violence and its impact on children.

Participants will be given the opportunity to:

• Explore how power and control dynamics influence the development of belief systems and behaviours in children
• Identify the impacts of domestic violence on children’s development including long term impacts and consequences for mental health
• Discuss the impacts of trauma and domestic violence on the developing brain
• Discuss strategies to support children

Supporting children, young people and their families who have experienced family and domestic violence is complex and requires a sound understanding of traumatic stress, neurobiology and the impacts of living in an environment of fear and coercive control.
Drawing on a range of creative therapies as well as narrative and strength based practice, this course provides a foundation for promoting the well -being of children and young people affected by family and domestic violence.

Participants will be given the opportunity to:

• Review the potential physical and mental health consequences for children who grow up in homes where there is domestic violence
• Explore the key principles of trauma responsive practice when working with children and young people who are affected family and domestic violence
• Explore and engage in a variety of age appropriate activities to engage children and young people
• Discuss and explore a variety of approaches including narrative, art therapy strategies which may be applied when working with children and young people
• Discuss the development of relationships that foster good mental health and self-worth, including the relationship between the child and their parent

Duration: One day / 6 hours

This course provides a comprehensive and practical exploration of trauma-informed practice, designed to deepen participants’ understanding and enhance their ability to apply these approaches in real-world settings. Combining evidence-based frameworks with interactive learning, the course focuses on both the “why” and the “how” of a trauma-informed approach.
In this interactive workshop, participants will:

• Examine the core principles of trauma-informed practice.
• Identify strategies to translate these principles into everyday interactions and organisational processes.
• Explore the impact of trauma on individuals and systems
• Identify risks of re-traumatisation
• Identify strategies to foster healing, connection, and engagement.

Duration: One day / 6 hours

Supporting survivors of domestic violence requires more than addressing physical or legal safety — it also means prioritising emotional and psychological safety and empowering survivors to navigate their own paths to safety.
In this interactive workshop, participants will:

• Reflect on practices that may inadvertently retraumatise victim survivors or parallel perpetrator tactics and identify trauma-informed alternatives.
• Recognise and respond to victim survivor resilience, resistance, and agency within the context of domestic and family violence.
• Understand the impact language can have on victim survivor engagement, safety, and wellbeing.
• Explore the use of language and apply language that is respectful, trauma-informed, and non-blaming, and
• Explore communication strategies that support trust-building and collaborative decision-making with victim survivors.
• Examine practical tools and strategies that support clients in managing the effects of traumatic stress.

Duration: Two days / 12 hours

Working therapeutically with individuals who have experienced complex trauma requires more than an understanding of trauma theory. It requires practitioners to develop the capacity to recognise trauma responses, build safe and attuned therapeutic relationships, and respond in ways that support healing, resilience, and recovery.

This two day course provides practitioners with an in-depth understanding of complex trauma and its enduring impact on adult survivors of childhood abuse. Participants will explore evidence-informed therapeutic approaches that support trauma recovery, attachment repair, emotional regulation, and integration of traumatic experiences. 

Topics Covered

• Explore therapeutic frameworks for working effectively with adult survivors of childhood abuse and complex trauma.
• Develop an understanding of structural dissociation and the fragmentation of self that can occur following chronic childhood trauma.
• Examine the relationship between early attachment experiences and adult patterns of thinking, feeling, relating, and behaving.
• Recognise and work with attachment dynamics as they emerge within the therapeutic relationship.
• Explore practical approaches for understanding and responding to dissociation in clinical practice.
• Understand the role of implicit and explicit memory in trauma processing and recovery.
• Examine the impact of shame, self-criticism, and self-hatred on survivors of childhood trauma and identify therapeutic responses.
• Expand beyond traditional talk-based therapies by exploring body-based, experiential, and integrative approaches to trauma treatment.
• Develop strategies for working with autonomic nervous system responses, including sympathetic activation and parasympathetic shutdown.
• Strengthen practitioner resilience through an understanding of vicarious trauma, reflective practice, and professional self-care.

Duration: One day / 6 hours

Domestic and family violence extends beyond physical abuse and often involves patterns of coercive control that undermine an individual's autonomy, safety, and wellbeing. Recognising these patterns is essential for professionals who work with individuals, families, and communities.

This course provides participants with a foundational understanding of domestic and family violence, with a particular focus on identifying coercive control and its impact on victim survivors.

In this interactive workshop, participants will:

• Define domestic and family violence and explain the role of coercive control within abusive relationships.
• Recognise common indicators, patterns, and tactics of coercive control and domestic and family violence.
• Demonstrate appropriate communication skills for responding to disclosures of domestic and family violence.
• Recognise indicators of risk and understand the importance of safety planning.
• Identify appropriate referral pathways, support services, and resources for victim survivors.
• Take informed action within their professional role to contribute to safer, coordinated, and victim survivor-centred responses.

Duration: One day / 6 hours

Children have often been viewed as silent witnesses to family and domestic violence, with the mistaken belief that they are unaffected by what occurs around them. However, research consistently demonstrates that exposure to domestic violence can have significant and lasting impacts on a child's emotional, psychological, physical, and social development. For professionals working with children and families, understanding the dynamics of family and domestic violence, including coercive control, is essential to recognising its effects and providing safe, informed, and compassionate support.

This workshop provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of how domestic violence and coercive control affect children, including their physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing.

Participants will explore:

• How children make sense of the violence and coercive control they witness
• The impact of living with domestic violence on children’s physical and mental health
• Common behaviours exhibited by children experiencing domestic violence and coercive control
• The connection between trauma, coercive control, domestic violence, and early brain development
• Key themes for supporting vulnerable children who have experienced these dynamics

Duration: One day / 6 hours

Children and young people living with domestic and family violence are often carrying the invisible impacts of trauma, fear, loss, and coercive control. Their experiences can affect how they think, feel, learn, behave, and connect with others.

This practical workshop equips professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to respond effectively to children and young people who have been impacted by domestic and family violence. Grounded in current trauma research and drawing on trauma-responsive, strengths-based, narrative, and creative therapeutic approaches, participants will learn how to foster safety, connection, resilience, and recovery.

Participants will learn to:

• Understand how domestic and family violence, trauma, and coercive control impact children's development, wellbeing, behaviour, learning, and relationships.
• Explore the role of the brain, nervous system, and memory in shaping children's responses to threat, stress, and adversity.
• Apply trauma-responsive principles that promote safety, trust, connection, emotional regulation, and resilience.
• Recognise the impact of grief, loss, and disrupted attachment experiences and identify strategies that support healthy coping and recovery.
• Move beyond traditional behaviour management approaches and develop responses that prioritise connection, co-regulation, and understanding.
• Build practical skills and interventions that strengthen children's sense of safety, voice, identity, and hope.

Duration: Can be delivered over one day or a more comprehensive course over two days

This training equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to recognise different types of child abuse and harm, understand their impacts, and respond appropriately. Participants will gain confidence in fulfilling their legal obligations as mandatory reporters, including identifying thresholds for concern, responding sensitively to disclosures. The workshop also explores information sharing and collaboration with other services to enhance the safety and well-being of children, young people, and families.

Participants will be given the opportunity to:

• Recognise and identify different types of child abuse and harm (including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and serious psychological harm)
• Discuss the short- and long-term impacts of abuse, neglect, and domestic violence on the development, behaviour, and well-being of children and young people.
• Explore their legal responsibilities as a mandatory reporter of child protection concerns according to NSW legislation
• Consider appropriate responses to disclosures of harm by children and young people.
• Accurately use the Mandatory Reporter Guide to make a quality report.
• Discuss the principles of information sharing to collaborate effectively with other professionals and services to promote the safety, welfare, and well-being of children, young people, and families.

Duration: 3 hours

This workshop provides an introduction to children's brain development and the impact of trauma on learning, behaviour, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Participants will explore how the developing brain responds to stress, adversity, and traumatic experiences, and how these experiences can influence a child's ability to regulate emotions, build relationships, and engage with the world around them. The course examines the connection between brain development, attachment, and behaviour, helping participants understand why some children may struggle with emotional regulation, concentration, trust, or social interactions.

Drawing on current neuroscience and trauma-informed practice, this workshop will provide practical strategies for supporting children in ways that promote safety, connection, resilience, and healthy development.

Participants will learn:

• Key stages of children's brain development
• How trauma affects the developing brain and nervous system
• The role of attachment in healthy development
• How trauma can influence behaviour, emotions, learning, and relationships
• The difference between trauma-informed and behaviour-focused responses
• Practical strategies to support regulation, connection, and resilience in children

This workshop is suitable for educators, support workers, carers, parents, health professionals, and anyone working with or supporting children and young people.

Duration: 3 hours

Children do well when they can. Behaviour is often a child's way of communicating an unmet need, a painful experience, or a struggle they do not yet have the words to express. When adults prioritise connection before correction, children are more likely to feel safe, regulated, and able to learn new ways of coping and relating.

When adults misunderstand these behaviours and respond primarily with punishment or consequences, children can experience further shame, disconnection, and emotional harm. In contrast, trauma-informed approaches recognise that connection is the foundation for regulation, learning, and positive behaviour change.

This interactive three-hour workshop explores how trauma impacts children's brain development, emotional regulation, and behaviour. Participants will learn how to look beyond behaviour, understand what children may be communicating, and develop practical strategies that prioritise connection before correction.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand how trauma affects children's brain development and nervous system functioning
• Recognise behaviour as communication rather than simply non-compliance
• Identify common trauma responses in children and young people
• Understand the impact of shame, punishment, and disconnection on behaviour
• Recognise signs of unmet emotional and relational needs
• Apply trauma-informed strategies that promote safety, trust, and connection
• Respond to challenging behaviours in ways that support regulation and resilience
• Build stronger relationships that encourage positive behavioural change

Educators, support workers, foster and kinship carers, child protection workers, youth workers, early childhood professionals, allied health practitioners, parents, and anyone supporting children and young people affected by trauma.

Duration: One day / 6 hours

This interactive workshop is designed for individuals without formal counselling training who may find themselves supporting people experiencing distress, grief, loss, crisis, or heightened emotions. Participants will develop practical skills in active listening, supportive communication, emotional validation, and responding with confidence and compassion. The workshop also explores appropriate boundaries and referral pathways to ensure support is both effective and safe.

Through a combination of theory, practical exercises, and interactive discussions, participants will be given the opportunity to:

Participants will:

• Understand the role and boundaries of the "accidental counsellor" and the importance of self-care and wellbeing.
• Develop active listening and communication skills that help people feel heard, understood, and supported.
• Apply basic helping skills, including empathy, open-ended questioning, and emotional validation.
• Explore supportive responses to distress, stress, anxiety, grief, and loss.
• Build rapport and trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Recognise when professional intervention is required and identify appropriate referral pathways.

Duration: One day / 6 hours

Cultural Humility is a concept that promotes life- long learning and self- evaluation so that we can practice in a manner that is other oriented and inclusive. Cultural humility encourages an understanding of our own personal biases, power imbalances and how dominance impacts the people that we support. This workshop will provide the opportunity to explore the concept of cultural humility and how the pillars of cultural humility can assist us to engage in supportive interactions with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Participants will be given the opportunity to:

• Understand the concept of cultural humility and how it differs from cultural competence and contributes to cultural safety
• Discuss the key pillars of cultural humility
• Deepen self-awareness about their cultural identities and biases.
• Discuss tools for fostering respectful, empathetic relationships across cultures.
• Explore the concept of privilege
• Apply the principles using case studies

Course Duration: 3 or 6 hour options

A practical workshop for managers, team leaders, practitioners and others supporting people after challenging or distressing experiences.

Explore trauma-informed, strengths-based and reflective approaches to debriefing, with practical skills for managing distress, creating psychological safety, maintaining boundaries, and supporting sustainable practice.

Participants will:

• Understand the purpose and principles of effective debriefing.
• Recognise when debriefing may be appropriate following challenging or critical events.
• Develop skills to respond to distress, strong emotions, and differing support needs.
• Explore practical debriefing frameworks and approaches.
• Build confidence in facilitating safe, supportive, and purposeful conversations.
• Recognise when further professional or organisational support may be required.

Course Duration: 3 or 6 hour options

A practical course exploring how to build strong, respectful professional relationships while maintaining clear and appropriate boundaries.

Participants will explore common boundary challenges, including self-disclosure, confidentiality, gifts, social media, physical contact, dual relationships and emotional involvement, as well as the impact of power, vulnerability, culture and personal values.

Through practical scenarios and reflection, participants will build confidence in recognising boundary concerns and responding appropriately.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the purpose, role and importance of maintaining professional boundaries.
• Identify potential boundary concerns, ethical dilemmas and situations that may challenge professional boundaries.
• Apply practical strategies to maintain appropriate, respectful and compassionate professional relationships while maintaining clear boundaries.
• Use supervision and reflective practice to explore and effectively navigate complex boundary situations.

Course Duration: 3 or 6 hour options

Difficult conversations are an inevitable part of professional life. When approached with confidence, empathy and clarity, they can strengthen relationships, improve communication and support positive change.

This practical course explores strategies for navigating challenging conversations, including addressing concerns, providing feedback, managing disagreement and responding when emotions are heightened. Participants will learn how to remain calm, respectful and clear while addressing difficult issues and avoiding unnecessary conflict.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Approach difficult conversations with greater confidence and preparation.
• Use practical strategies to communicate clearly, calmly and respectfully.
• Respond effectively to emotional reactions, disagreement and defensiveness.
• Address concerns while maintaining professional relationships.
• Turn difficult conversations into opportunities for understanding, accountability and positive change.

Duration: One day / 6 hours

“The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk through water without getting wet”

Rachel Naomi Remen

This incredibly important course delves into the concept of vicarious trauma—how exposure to adversity and suffering in others can impact professionals on a physical, emotional, cognitive, and psychological level. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of vicarious trauma, it’s signs and symptoms, and the effects on personal and professional life.

The course will also discuss the concepts of Vicarious Resilience and Transformation. There will be a focus on practical strategies for building resilience and maintaining well-being. Through interactive discussions and case studies, participants will explore techniques to foster well-being, develop coping mechanisms, and minimise the impact of exposure to workplace stress and human suffering.

Participants will be given the opportunity to:

• Differentiate between vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout, and identify their impacts, signs, and symptoms in professional practice.
• Analyse the risk and resilience factors associated with vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue, including the concepts of vicarious resilience and transforming vicarious trauma into positive growth.
• Develop strategies to promote wellbeing at both individual and organisational levels, including creating a personal wellbeing plan and identifying organisational responsibilities for prevention and support.

Strengthening Wellbeing, Coping Skills, and Emotional Resilience

Duration: 3 hours

Life brings challenges, stress, change, and uncertainty. While we cannot always control what happens to us, we can develop the skills, strategies, and supports that help us respond effectively and maintain our wellbeing.

This interactive workshop explores the concept of mental health resilience and the factors that contribute to positive mental wellbeing. Participants will learn practical strategies to manage stress, strengthen emotional resilience, build healthy coping skills, and recognise when additional support may be needed.

Resilience is not about avoiding difficulties or always staying positive. It is about developing the skills, supports, and confidence to navigate life's challenges while maintaining wellbeing, connection, and hope.

The workshop focuses on developing self-awareness, emotional regulation, healthy thinking patterns, and supportive connections that promote wellbeing both personally and professionally.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the concept of mental health and resilience
• Recognise common signs of stress, burnout, and emotional overwhelm
• Identify personal strengths and protective factors that support wellbeing
• Develop practical strategies for managing stress and challenging emotions
• Build healthy coping skills and self-care practices
• Strengthen emotional resilience and adaptability during times of change
• Recognise the importance of social connection and support networks
• Create a personal wellbeing and resilience plan

Suitable For

Community members, support workers, carers, educators, volunteers, workplaces, and anyone interested in strengthening their mental health and resilience.