Workshop Title: An Embodied approach to working with Trauma
Dates: 13 and 14 February 2026
Time: 10am - 5pm (for both days)
Location: Dublin - Ashling Hotel, Parkgate Street, Dublin 8, D08 P38N
Presenter: Brendan McKiernan
CPD: 12 CPD hours
Workshop Cost:
€240 for IAHIP Members and Associates
€330 for General Admission
This workshop will run over two days, and to gain the full benefit, participants are required to attend both. Each day builds on the other therefore, option to register for one day is not available.
DETAILS OF WORKSHOP
This is an experiential workshop focusing on introducing clinicians to the need for and techniques used in an embodied approach to Trauma.
Why would I want to do this workshop?
There is a significant body of evidence now available which shows that the majority of individuals who present for mental health and substance abuse treatment are primarily dealing with the impact of psychological trauma both complex and specific (PTSD). Evidence from neurobiology shows that trauma impacts on areas of the brain which are sub-cortical and therefore not accessible by cognitions. There is a growing awareness of the need therefore for clinicians to have the therapeutic skills which support their clients in developing the ability to regulate their nervous systems. This workshop will give you an understanding of the need for these skills and introduction to them in practise.
What are the key benefits?
- To develop an understanding of the need for an embodied approach to trauma.
- To see the basic skills used in working with Somatic Experiencing
- To begin to use these skills.
Workshop Content
- Review of evidence base for an embodied approach to working with psychological Trauma
- Explanation of why an embodied approach works
- Demonstration of how to work with an embodied approach
- Practise of working with an embodied approach
- Using an embodied approach to work with boundaries
- Discussion of issues that might arise when using an embodied approach
References:
Levine, P. A.. (2010). In an unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the body: A sensorimotor approach to psychotherapy. New York, NY: W. W. Norton.
Porges, S. W. (2001). The polyvagal theory: Phylogenetic substrates of a social nervous system. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 42(2), 123-146. doi:10.1016/S0167-8760(01)00162-3
Scaer, R. C. (2000). The body bears the burden: Trauma, dissociation and disease. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press, Inc.
van der Kolk, B. A. (2006). Clinical implications of neuroscience research in PTSD. In R. Yehuda (Ed.), Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences: Vol. 1071. Psychobiology of posttraumatic stress disorders: A decade of progress (pp. 277-293). Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing. doi:10.1196/annals.1364.022
PRESENTER - Brendan McKiernan
Brendan is a registered Family Therapist and Somatic Experiencing practitioner. As part of Brendan’s work as a Family Therapist he works with individuals couples and families who are dealing with the impact of psychological trauma, both complex and related to a specific event (PTSD). In addition to his private practise, Brendan is currently engaged as a senior assistant teacher in Somatic Experiencing trainings in Spain and Scotland. Somatic Experiencing is an evidence-based, body-orientated approach to trauma which focuses on working with the impact of trauma on the nervous system.
Brendan is also a clinical supervisor working with individuals and groups. He is currently a lecturer on the U.C.D. M.Sc. in Systemic Psychotherapy; The MSc in grief and loss in the Irish Hospice Foundation; and the BSc in counselling and addiction in M.TU. Previously Brendan was director of Keltoi, an HSE residential rehabilitation facility for addiction and trauma. He is also a Certified Chemical Dependency Practitioner (C.C.D.P.-Hazelden Minnesota) and has worked in the area of Addiction for over 20 years.
PARTICIPANTS
Minimum number: 25
Maximum number: 40
This workshop will proceed subject to minimum numbers.
Cancellation notices received within 7 days of the date of the event will be subject to full payment.
Full terms and conditions are available at www.iahip.org/Events-TermsAndConditions/
