Families and Trauma Work: Integrating Key Ideas from Individual and Systemic Practice

Enhance your skills in working with families who have experienced trauma, using both individually and systems oriented approaches.

Please note that this is a two-day workshop.
Day 1: Tuesday 2 May 2023
Day 2: Tuesday 9 May 2023

Working with families and individuals where there has been trauma can present considerable challenges as, our usual therapeutic processes may be interrupted by the intrapersonal and interpersonal impacts of the trauma.

This two-day workshop presents an integration of theoretical and practical ideas from both individually oriented and systemic approaches: systems theory, neurophysiology, attachment theory, and internal family systems therapy. Useful features of each of these frameworks will be presented and then integrated into a comprehensive approach for trauma-informed assessment and intervention, applicable to different phases of therapeutic engagement. Specific focus will be given to culture and diversity, therapist self-care, and the potential contribution of single session principles to service delivery.

What will you learn?

By attending this two-day workshop, you will be able to:

• Articulate important and useful features of a systems approach, trauma-related neurophysiology, attachment theory, and internal family systems therapy
• Assess how the impacts of trauma may be interfering with the therapeutic process, including how to integrate trauma-informed history-taking
• Develop appropriate systemic interventions based on a trauma-informed assessment
• Create and maintain engagement with clients while addressing difficult issues
• Utilise single session principles as they apply to trauma-informed practice

Relevant Audience

This workshop will be most useful for those with a therapeutic role in working with families where there has been trauma. It may also benefit a range of other professionals working with individuals or families where trauma is a key organising factor in clients’ presentation. Psychologists, social workers, mental health workers, youth workers, drug and alcohol workers, psychiatric nurses, child protection workers, and those working in the areas of justice and homelessness are encouraged to attend.

Workshop Style

The workshop includes didactic and practical components to build integration of theory and skill. Your work contexts will inform the clinical material used in discussion and roleplay demonstration (i.e. alcohol and other drugs, family violence, mental health). Small group activities will ensure the workshop material is relevant to you and your specific work context. Discussions of case examples and a collection of relevant readings, along with implementation guides, will help you put your knowledge into practice.

Upcoming workshops

Round 1