Understanding Trauma in Children

Presenter: Dr. Wendy Kelly (DipClinPsych, PhD)

Supporting children who have experienced complex trauma comes with its own set of challenges. The wide-ranging harmful effects can disrupt many aspects of the child’s development and can last well into adulthood. In this workshop, participants will have opportunities to explore case studies and engage in a 1-hour hands-on exercise to understand the Relational Learning Framework (RLF) for working with traumatised children. At the end of this workshop, participants will have a greater understanding of: 

• Complex trauma and its effects on children’s development (incl. attachment) 
• Adverse childhood experiences (incl. maltreatment) and complex trauma 
• Internal working models and the Relational Learning Framework (RLF) 
• Intervention strategies and therapeutic techniques 
• Practical strategies and techniques for effectively supporting children who have experienced trauma 

This workshop is aimed at professionals working with, or supporting, children; including counsellors, clinicians, youth workers, school staff, teachers, and anyone in the social service sector.

Wendy Kelly has over 30 years of experience as a Clinical Psychologist working in the child protection and mental health fields and providing supervision, consultation and training to practitioners on child maltreatment and trauma. She has worked in a variety of settings including a sexual abuse counselling centre, Child, Youth and Family (now Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children) and a child and adolescent mental health service. Wendy has recently published a book ‘Understanding children in foster care’ after finishing her PhD on the topic in 2015.

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.

Two Day Training in Imago Relationship Therapy

Presenter: Brenda Rawlings

About the training: 
Revolutionise your work with couples. Relationship work can be dynamic, stimulating and highly effective using the structured processes inherent in Imago. Experience the depth and beauty of this work in creating connection between couples. The aim of this training is to improve your effectiveness in working with couples. Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) is a coherent, comprehensive and dynamic theory and practice, offering an effective, research-based method for working with couples. Learn how to offer couples systematic, structured support to transform painful dynamics, create safety and connection, and increase passion, whilst guiding them toward greater understanding of their attachment and other developmental needs. There is an option, following this Two Day Training to participate in further training to become a Certified Imago Therapist. 

How Will You Benefit? 

• Gain an overview of the theory and practice of Imago Relationship Therapy, including demonstration and practice of Imago Dialogue. 
• Learn clear steps for relationship repair. 
• Coach attuned, connectional experiences for couples 
• Enable couples to understand their journey from romantic love through to disconnection, frustration and conflict, and to restore connection, passion and hope. 
• Gain in-depth understanding of relationship dynamics from both an attachment and developmental perspective. 
• Incorporate developments in clinical research and neuroscience into your work with couples 
• Learn how to hold couples safely in processes which offer them the opportunity and capacity to make sense of their negative interactional cycles.

Brenda Rawlings (MNZAC) Clinical Instructor, Imago International Institute. Learn with one of New Zealand’s leading relationship experts. Brenda has been specialising in working with couples since 1998 and she presents Imago Clinical Training for Psychologists, Psychotherapists and Counsellors in both New Zealand and Australia. Her trainings have also been well received internationally. She was Dean of the Imago International Institute (USA) from 2012 to 2017 and recipient of the Harville Hendrix Award for Clinical Excellence. She has also participated in trainings in most major couples modalities and brings this expertise into this dynamic two day training.

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