Training and Workshops
Bringing together psychological understanding, theological reflection and practical application to support safer, more compassionate and trauma-informed communities.
Trauma-informed practice is more than recognising the effects of trauma. It involves understanding how trauma can shape people's experiences, relationships, sense of safety and belonging, and considering how organisations and communities can respond in ways that promote dignity, choice, trust and care.
Joanna Naomi Douglas delivers specialist training and workshops that bring psychological research, Christian theology and lived experience into conversation with safeguarding, pastoral care and organisational practice.
Through engaging, research-informed teaching and practical reflection, Joanna supports churches, Christian organisations, safeguarding professionals and pastoral leaders in developing a deeper understanding of trauma and its implications for the people and communities they serve.
A Distinctive Approach to Trauma-Informed Training
Joanna's approach recognises that developing trauma-informed practice requires more than acquiring knowledge. It also involves critically examining the assumptions, attitudes, relationships and organisational cultures that shape how individuals experiencing trauma are understood and supported.
Drawing on her doctoral research into trauma, dissociation and Christian worshipping communities, alongside her experience of delivering specialist safeguarding training, Joanna brings together three interconnected areas:
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Psychological Understanding: Exploring trauma, its potential psychological, emotional, relational and physiological effects, and the ways individuals may respond to overwhelming experiences.
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Theological Reflection: Considering how Christian beliefs, practices and understandings of suffering, healing, identity and belonging can shape responses to trauma.
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Practical Application: Translating research and reflection into meaningful approaches to safeguarding, pastoral care, leadership and organisational culture.
Training encourages participants to move beyond simply recognising trauma towards developing thoughtful, informed and compassionate responses in their professional, church and community settings.
Who Is the Training For?
Training and workshops are suitable for a wide range of individuals, teams and organisations, including:
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Church leaders, clergy and lay ministers
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Safeguarding professionals, advisers and teams
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Pastoral care teams and prayer ministry volunteers
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Christian charities and faith-based organisations
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Church staff, trustees and leadership teams
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Individuals involved in supporting people affected by trauma
Sessions can be adapted for participants with little previous knowledge of trauma, as well as professionals seeking to deepen their existing understanding and practice.
Training Topics
Training and workshops can explore a range of interconnected subjects, depending on the needs and context of the organisation.
Understanding Trauma and Its Impact
An introduction to the psychological and physiological effects of trauma, including trauma responses, emotional regulation, memory, relationships and the impact of overwhelming experiences on an individual's sense of safety.
Trauma, Dissociation and Mental Health
Exploring the relationship between trauma and dissociation, including how dissociative experiences may affect identity, memory, communication, emotional responses and everyday functioning. Particular attention is given to challenging misconceptions and developing informed, sensitive responses.
Trauma-Informed Safeguarding
Considering how trauma-informed principles can strengthen safeguarding practice, including recognising vulnerability, understanding power and authority, responding sensitively to disclosures and reducing the risk of unintended harm or retraumatisation.
Trauma, Theology and Christian Faith
Examining how experiences of trauma can influence an individual's understanding of God, themselves and their faith. This includes critical theological reflection on suffering, healing, forgiveness, identity, hope and belonging.
Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care and Ministry
Exploring the practical implications of trauma for pastoral relationships, prayer ministry, spiritual support and Christian community life. This includes consideration of boundaries, trust, power, consent and the importance of responding without pressure or coercion.
Developing Trauma-Informed Communities
Supporting churches and organisations in considering how their culture, leadership, relationships and everyday practices can contribute to environments characterised by safety, trust, collaboration, empowerment and compassion.
Tailored Training and Workshops
Every organisation has its own context, responsibilities and challenges. Training should reflect these differences.
Joanna works collaboratively with organisations to develop training that responds to their particular needs, whether introducing the foundations of trauma-informed practice or exploring more complex theological, pastoral and safeguarding considerations.
Sessions can incorporate presentations, facilitated discussions, case studies, practical exercises and opportunities for critical reflection.
Training can be delivered as a focused workshop, a half-day session or a full-day programme, with content and delivery adapted to the audience, group size and learning objectives.
Enquiries
Developing trauma-informed practice begins with understanding, but its impact is found in how that understanding shapes our responses to others.
Whether you are planning a safeguarding development day, a church leadership workshop or specialist training for your organisation, Joanna welcomes enquiries about delivering a session tailored to your needs.
Please get in touch to discuss your requirements, potential dates and training fees.
Email Joanna directly or complete the contact form below: