Empowering Survivors of Sexual Violence

Presenter: Louise Nicholas

This interactive half day workshop focuses on empowering survivors of sexual abuse, supporting them and their families/whānau to foster wellbeing in their journey forward. Louise will lead a dialogue highlighting the importance of recognising survivors as the experts of their own stories. She will share her experiences working alongside survivors as they navigate the justice system and as they make strides to promote personal wellbeing. 

At the end of this workshop, participants will have a greater understanding of: 

• Impacts of sexual violence and how survivors cope with their experiences 
• How to recognise survivors as the experts of their own stories and avenues to resilience through this 
• Practical ideas, tools and resources to effectively support survivors of sexual violence and abuse to promote wellbeing

Louise Nicholas is a fierce campaigner for the rights of women who have experienced sexual violence and abuse. As part of her work as the National Sexual Violence Advocate, she works to support survivors, their families/whānau, and the wider community. She advocates for survivor perspectives to be included in policy development in the Sexual Violence and Abuse Services sector, and has received numerous awards recognising her service, including NZ Herald’s New Zealander of the Year Award in 2007, the Governor General’s ANZAC Award in 2015, and was appointed an Officer for the NZ Order of Merit (ONZM). Louise co-authored the bestselling book ‘Louise Nicholas – My Story’ and is well connected with the community and government.

Getting Stronger Resilience Workshop

Presenter: Gae Neill (LLB, ATCL) 

Skylight is offering a hands-on training session on ways to use this innovative game in a variety of settings. We will explore various interpersonal dynamics that may arise when the game is played, and ways to help young people through difficult, sensitive situations. 

Participants will receive a copy of the Getting Stronger game, and at least one set of Topic cards. Topics include: 

• When Parents Break Up 
• Bullying 
• Managing Anger 
• When a Disaster Has Happened 
• When Someone in your Family is Ill or Injured 
• When Domestic Violence Happens 
• When Someone Important to you Dies 
• When Someone in your Family has a Mental Illness 
• When Someone you know has an Addiction

At the end of this workshop, participants will have played the game and developed facilitation skills that will assist children and young people to gain the most from Getting Stronger. This workshop is aimed at professionals working with, or supporting, children, young people and their families/whānau; including guidance counsellors, school chaplains, child or youth workers, teachers and social workers. 

Gae Neill is a passionate supporter of young people’s personal development and resilience through tough times. She has been a long-time member of Skylight’s Training Faculty, presenting workshops on change, loss, grief and resilience, and is a member of Skylight’s advisory board for the Travellers programme, which supports young people to navigate difficult life challenges. A former specialist family lawyer, she also works extensively with Youthline Wellington, having set up their Community Ongoing Education Programme. She has run workshops for youth in mainstream and alternative education and provided support for school counsellors working with young people at the coal face. Gae has supervised Youthline’s Supervisor Team for many years now. 

Attachment in Clinical Practice 

Presenter: Dr David Wallin

In this seminar Dr Wallin presents an integration of attachment research and understanding with relational psychoanalysis and mindfulness. The  focus is on the explicit and implicit ways that clinicians can facilitate healing, growth, and change. It will be of practical interest and value to psychotherapists, psychologists, counsellors, social workers, psychiatrists, and mental health practitioners.  Specific attachment issues in Aotearoa will also be addressed.

David Wallin, Psychologist, author of acclaimed Attachment in Psychotherapy.

Monthly Speaking Circle: Relational Presence Training

Presenter: Sally Forman

Do you want to deepen your natural capacity to connect with ease and confidence with your audience? Want to know you can relate authentically in your personal and professional relationships?

Relational Presence is our natural capacity to be in connection with one person at a time, from the inside out. It is a powerful foundation for both personal and professional authentic communication and presentation. Relational Presence is a tool for improved relationship and team communication, self-authority, impactful leadership and effective listening. It helps you to move away from relating through 'performance' to creating real connection that creates a meaningful impact, whoever your audience is. Relational Presence is like a muscle, it gets stronger with practise. A monthly speaking circle is a safe and supportive space to explore and deepen your experience of Relational Presence.

In a Monthly Speaking Circle: Relational Presence Training you will practise:

• Assuming and receiving, support
• Connecting with one person at a time
• Being yourself
• Finding your natural voice
• Delivering impromptu content