In-Person Workshops

Body-Oriented Trauma Counselling Strategies

May 30, 2023 - May 31, 2023

(09:00 AM - 04:00 PM EDT )

$499.00 (regular rate)

$459.00 (*early rate)

Trainer Kelly Smith MSW, RSW

Location: The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, Toronto, Ontario

*(early rate expires 05/09/2023 )

Continuing Education
Credit Hours (CEC)

When trauma occurs, its impact can be felt physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. While traditional cognitive counselling approaches may not always be helpful in decreasing reactivity or increasing feelings of vitality, research shows that a body-based counselling approach can positively transform the impact of traumatic memories. This highly experiential workshop explores holistic body-based approaches to working with clients that focus on building resources and increasing tolerance of body sensations and related emotions. Participants will learn and practice strategies to help clients monitor and reduce traumatic arousal and move toward approaching life and relationships with hope and choice. Please note: Those attending this workshop should have previous training in the area of trauma recovery. If you don’t have existing training or experience, please attend our Trauma – Counselling Strategies for Healing and Resilience Workshop.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, participants should be able to:

Identify key principles of body-based counselling approaches including awareness of present experience, resourcing, and self-regulation interventions
Apply tools to help resource clients and prepare them for trauma processing
Practice skills to help clients build affect and sensation tolerance in preparation for trauma processing
Describe the theory behind processing and transforming trauma within a body-based framework
Deepen your existing approach to working with trauma by incorporating body-based techniques

Method of Delivery

Presentation, video, experiential practice, case study exercises, personal reflection, delivered electronically.

Some of the Topics Included

Body-Oriented Counselling Approaches
How Trauma Is Stored in the Body
The Role of the Helper as Guide and Co-Explorer
Four Components of Body-Oriented Trauma Therapy
Mutual Learning: Deep Listening and Psychoeducation
Stabilization and Restoring Connection to the Present
Tracking Body Sensations and Movement
Strategies for Transforming Trauma
Integration and Meaning Making
Integrating Body-Based Counselling Into Existing Approach

Target Audience

Attendees should already have some training and experience working with trauma. This is an intermediate–advanced level workshop for social service and health care professionals, counsellors, social workers, school personnel, and anyone working with people who have experienced trauma.

Terms & Conditions

View our cancellation policy and other information regarding your live virtual workshop or for your in-person workshop.

Trainer: Kelly Smith

MSW, RSW

Kelly is a Registered Social Worker and holds a Master of Social Work degree. She has also completed six levels of training in Sandtray-Worldplay with Gisela Schubach De Domenico and three levels of training with the Canadian Association of Play Therapy. In addition to training with CTRI, Kelly has an eclectic private practice where she incorporates play therapy, sandtray therapy, DBT, emotion-focused therapy, dance, somatic work, and mindfulness into her work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. She specializes in providing trauma-informed counselling for motor vehicle accident victims and their families. Kelly believes that everyone can access their own self-healing abilities and feels honoured when asked to be a part of the journey. As a trainer, she is both passionate and engaging.