The Deep Dive - Healing Shame using Embodiment and the Compassionate Witness in Working with Complex Trauma

Date: Saturday 1st June

Location: Regents University

Cost: £195

A Gentle and Powerful Approach to Working with Trauma.

Research suggests that early experiences of shame are often at the root of maladaptive trauma-related behaviours. Difficult memories of the past, which can block a client’s access to natural healing and their ability to feel better about themselves, are stored in the body.

As we know, many complex behaviours in mental health can be traced back to previous traumatic body memories related to critical, coercive parenting where punishing words and/or excessively punitive actions were especially injurious to a child.

Healing this requires compassion, or what legendary psychotherapist Alice Miller called an “enlightened witness” to restore a client’s healthy sense of identity and authentic body connection, on their road to healing the past.

Joshua Isaac Smith and Gill Wood have created a new course which will take you on a deeper dive into the challenges of shame and complex trauma using embodiment exercises and compassion-related tools. This CPD course comprises 2 video modules followed by a full practice day at Regents University.

In this course you will learn:

  • More about complex trauma and how it relates to a history of chronic shame.

  • What embodiment means from a somatic psychology perspective.

  • How to distinguish repaired from unrepaired shame as a critical pathway to healing complex trauma.

  • The neuroscience of compassion, empathy, and self-compassion and how to distinguish which of these tools to apply in working with complex trauma and shame.

  • How to apply Alice Miller’s concept of the “Enlightened Witness” in utilising compassion focused tools and perspectives to help clients (The Compassionate Witness).

  • More about animal behaviour and how it relates to healthy group applications of shame, empathy and compassion in humans.

  • A deep dive into a "felt-sense" application of the Polyvagal Theory with Joshua’s Polybodiment Exercises in working with complex trauma and shame with clients.

  • And much more…   

  • Your course fee includes 2 video modules and a live course day at Regent’s University in London, UK on 1st June, 2024.

    • Video Module 1 is a live recorded webinar on Zoom on Wednesday, 22nd May, 2024 at 7:30pm GMT.

    • Video Module 2 is a recorded session introducing the Compassionate Witness and Alice Miller’s work.

  • Discussion of case histories where self-compassion was used successfully as a resource to desensitise a shame-related client experience.

  • The Recognition-Shame Model and the influence of culture and family beliefs on childhood experiences of shame and the Source Code.

  • Register now to join us.

Recommended Prerequisite:

Completion of “Working through Shame with the Neuroscience of Self Compassion” course. Please email us if you have any questions.

Secure Your Place

Cancellation Policy and Refunds 

Fees are not refundable where cancellation is within 6 weeks of the module, but can be transferred to a course on a later date.

What our graduates are saying

Module 1 Testimonials

“I cannot recommend Gill and Joshua’s AMDR highly enough. It’s really helpful to learn about why the processes work i.e. the neuroscience. The process itself is useful as a ‘stand alone’ and parts of it can also be integrated into your work generally, there’s lots of great material. Alongside the high level of knowledge and experience that Gill and Joshua have the thing that makes this course really stand out is the presence that they both bring to the room. This course is outstanding- go and do it!” R.S

“I would highly recommend this training. I feel much better prepared for working with trauma and I know I will serve my clients better. I will be using what I have learnt immediately which speaks for the effective way this information is delivered and time given for practice.” J.E.

“Go on this course! It’s not just another set of techniques for the toolbox. It’s an up to date understanding of the neuroscience behind memory and trauma. It has really changed the way I work for the better.” D.B.

“Having attended Module 1 I was excited to experience Module 2 and it didn’t let me down. Congratulations to Joshua and Gill for all your hard work in creating such a great course. I will be able to use this with my clients in a very powerful way.” S.A.

“I have learned so much this weekend and will definitely include AMDR in my practice. I can’t wait for Module 2 now” H.C.

“An amazingly useful course that powerfully helps us work with clients. AMDR is a flexible and powerful technique. I think it is the most powerful course I have ever done. I can’t wait to see the change it brings my clients over the next few years.” M.B.

Other Courses

  • AMDR For Trauma Healing and Release: Module 1

    27th & 28th Jan 2024
    Regents University

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  • AMDR For Trauma Healing and Release: Module 2

    20th & 21st April 2024
    Regents University

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  • Working through Shame with the Neuroscience of Self Compassion - CPD Workshop

    Saturday 2nd March
    Regents University

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