Workshop | Understanding the Neurobiology of Complex Trauma

Price

Original price: 395 AUD.

Dates

23 & 24 June 2026 (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
18 & 19 August 2026 (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
27 & 28 October 2026 (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

Facilitator

This training is delivered by experienced professional trainers with expertise and experience in trauma informed intervention and practice. Australian Childhood Foundation's trainers have a strong understanding of trauma and its impact on children and families, translating this knowledge into practice in a range of professional contexts. A focus on application to practice via discussion and strategy is a core component of the workshop.

Introduction

Understanding the neurobiology of complex trauma offers a powerful lens into how the physiology of the brain and body respond and adapt to adverse experiences. By understanding these theoretical underpinnings of trauma, professionals can develop more targeted and effective interventions with children and young people. This workshop provides a foundational understanding of complex developmental trauma and the application of this knowledge framework to work across multiple contexts supporting infants, children, young people, and families. It is grounded in the most recent evidence from neuroscience.

Abuse-related trauma has a significant impact on the developing brain. It can result in children experiencing significant difficulties regulating their emotions, adapting their behaviour and being attuned to social exchanges. This can lead to a fundamental challenge for children to experience safety and engage in relational exchanges that support them. Integrating systems of protection, care, and therapeutic intervention provide traumatised children with safety, predictability and the platform for changing their developmental trajectory.

This workshop explores the implications for framing trauma-informed practice and provides specific and practical strategies for promoting recovery for children and young people who have experienced relationally-based trauma. It integrates insights from the major trauma theorists, researchers and practitioners into an effective framework that will deepen participant knowledge, confidence, and skills.

This workshop provides an enhanced understanding of complex relational trauma and specific strategies you can take back to your workplace immediately.

Target Audience

This workshop is aimed at people working with and caring for children and young people who have experienced trauma, including child protection practitioners, mental health and allied health professionals and other therapeutic practitioners, educators and early-learning staff, family support services, and out-of-home care staff.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn about brain body development through childhood and adolescence
• Understand the way that trauma shapes children and young people’s physical states, emotions and needs
• Develop creative and evidence based approaches and practice strategies to enable children and young people transform and recover from their experiences of trauma
• Consider approaches that resource recovery across the environments and systems in which children and young people live and learn