Aims of the Workshop:
This workshop aims to deepen understanding of trauma-informed parenting by exploring how early experiences shape behaviour, brain development, and emotional wellbeing. It supports parents and professionals to move beyond surface behaviours, build confidence in responding effectively, and develop practical, compassionate strategies that strengthen connection, safety, and regulation.
Workshop Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
Understand the impact of early experiences.
Explore the key findings of the ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study and how early adversity can affect lifelong health, behaviour, and relationships.
Develop a clear understanding of trauma.
Define what trauma is (beyond events) and how it is experienced and stored in the body and brain.
Recognise the overlap between neurodiversity and trauma.
Understand how behaviours linked to neurodivergence and trauma can look similar, and why this matters for support and response.
Understand the brain in a fear state.
Learn what happens in the brain and body when a child feels unsafe, and how this impacts thinking, behaviour, and communication.
Look beneath behaviour.
Identify what drives “challenging behaviour” and reframe it as communication of unmet needs or stress.
Explore sensory needs and transitions.
Gain awareness of the 8 sensory pathways and how sensory processing and transitions can impact regulation and behaviour.
Increase self-awareness and regulation.
Reflect on the importance of adult regulation and how our own responses influence children’s nervous systems.
Understand the science of calming.
Learn how calm breathing and oxytocin support regulation, connection, and brain development.
Develop co-regulation skills.
Understand how to support children to regulate through connection before expecting independence.
Explore emotional expression.
Learn about the three pathways of emotional expression and how to support safe, healthy release of feelings.
Rethink discipline.
Understand why punishment and control-based approaches are often ineffective, particularly for children impacted by trauma.
Set boundaries with confidence.
Learn how to implement clear, consistent boundaries without fear, shame, or disconnection.
Use containment effectively.
Understand emotional and physical containment as tools to support safety and regulation.
Build a practical toolkit.
Gain simple, effective strategies for helping children release emotions in healthy ways and reduce overwhelm.
Outcome of the Workshop:
By integrating this trauma-informed perspective, both staff and parents will be empowered to improve their mental wellbeing and enhance conflict resolution. This approach fosters stronger, more therapeutic relationships and creates an environment where children feel safe and connected enough to express their emotions in healthier, more constructive ways.
As adults become more mindful of their own triggers and stress responses, they will be able to reduce household stress. This not only helps children feel safer and calmer but also supports better emotional development, resilience, and participation in learning. It can also lead to a decrease in challenging behaviours, including meltdowns and children’s violent behaviours, often associated with unresolved trauma or children mental health issues.
Practical Application and Ongoing Support:
In the workshop, we explore the Bryan Post Stress Model, focusing on how to apply it in real-life situations. I share personal experiences to show the transformative impact this approach has had in my own life and home, including in the context of foster care support and adoption support.
After the workshop, attendees are encouraged to join a private Facebook support group for caregivers. This provides ongoing parent support, shared learning, and a safe space to ask questions and connect with others as they begin implementing trauma-informed techniques in daily life.
Impact of Workshops: Parental Confidence & Improved Parent-Child Relationships
Read full outcomes report here
Workshop Feedback
“This helped me see my child’s behaviour in a completely different way.”
“So reassuring and practical — I feel better equipped already.”
“I finally understand what’s going on underneath the meltdowns — and how to respond with calm instead of panic.”
“It was validating, informative, and left me feeling hopeful again.”