Being Trauma-Informed across the Life Span
The Basis of Trauma-Informed Health Care11-13 Feb 2026 | Sunshine Coast | 15 CPD HRS
what this Event is about
Join us for an engaging conference focused on trauma and violence informed care, a crucial approach developed since the 1990s to support individuals affected by various adverse experiences. This framework addresses a wide spectrum of trauma, including adverse childhood experiences, accidents, war, domestic violence, and the challenges faced by those living with severe illness.
Throughout the sessions, you’ll gain valuable tools and techniques to effectively support patients grappling with anxiety, fear, anger, and shame. We’ll explore innovative care models that enhance your interactions with both patients and colleagues, helping you cultivate a more empathetic and understanding environment.
Your presenters are seasoned professionals with over six decades of combined experience in mental health. They bring a wealth of knowledge about trauma-informed practices, using storytelling and reflective exercises to deepen your understanding of these vital concepts.
As the expectation for trauma-informed care continues to grow among patients, this conference will help you assess and expand your own expertise.
Are you ready to enhance your practice and better serve those in need? Join us and discover how you can make a difference!
“Dr. Wendy McIntosh is an exceptional presenter whose expertise, passion, and creativity make her a standout in the field of trauma-informed care and professional boundaries. Wendy brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her sessions. Her areas of focus—professional supervision, boundaries, identity, and the links between childhood trauma and mental illness—are highly relevant to contemporary healthcare challenge.
She deserves an extremely high rating. Her dedication to lifelong learning, innovative teaching methods, and profound understanding of trauma-informed care make her an invaluable resource for healthcare professionals.”
– Leanne, Being Trauma-informed Care across the Life Span, The South Pacific 2025
Learning Outcomes
At this event, you will:
- Explore the importance of Trauma Informed Care in all areas of health care delivery
- Discuss models which can assist us understand the dynamics in the relationship between nurses collegially and with patients
- Review the clinical guidelines which support trauma informed care
- Investigate appropriate interventions which demonstrate provision of care which is trauma-informed
You will also learn about
- Defining Trauma: Explore the multifaceted nature of trauma and its implications for individuals, communities, and the global landscape.
- Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Care: Familiarise yourself with the foundational principles that guide trauma-informed approaches in healthcare settings.
- Implementing Trauma-Informed Practices: Learn how to embed trauma-informed care into individual, team, and organisational practices for a more cohesive approach.
- Connections Between Trauma and Health: Understand the relationship between trauma and chronic health conditions, mental health disorders, and substance use issues.
- Maintaining Safety in Trauma-Informed Settings: Discover strategies to ensure your own safety while working within a trauma-informed framework.
- Prioritising Patient Safety: Emphasise the importance of creating a safe patient environment in your care.
- Self-Care and Duty of Care: Recognise the significance of caring for yourself as a professional and how it enhances your ability to support others.
- The Role of the Limbic System: Delve into why understanding the limbic system is critical in trauma treatment processes.
- Understanding the Window of Tolerance: Learn about the Window of Tolerance and its relevance in managing emotional responses during care.
- Transference in Therapeutic Relationships: Explore the concept of transference and its implications for building effective therapeutic relationships.
- Parent-Adult-Child Model: Examine the Parent-Adult-Child model and its utility in understanding interpersonal dynamics.
- The Third Space Concept: Investigate the Third Space framework and how it can facilitate meaningful interactions in care settings.
- Drama Triangle Analysis: Analyse the Drama Triangle and its impact on relationships within healthcare.
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Discuss how Maslow’s Hierarchy can inform your understanding of patient needs and motivations.
- Focal Conflict Model: Explore the Focal Conflict Model and its relevance in addressing patients’ emotional challenges.
- The Power of Breath: Understand the critical role of breathing techniques in managing stress and promoting calmness.
- Biochemistry of Trauma: Learn about the chemicals and hormones involved in trauma responses and their effects on health.
- Establishing Professional Boundaries: Learn about professional boundaries and the surprising aspects you might not be aware of.
- The Four C’s of Boundaries: Discover the Four C’s – context, Consistency, Congruence, and Categories of Concern – in maintaining healthy boundaries.
- Demonstrating Trauma-Informed Skills: Engage in practical demonstrations of strategies and interventions that utilise trauma-informed skills.
- Psychological Safety Strategies: Explore various techniques to maintain your psychological safety and manage stress effectively.
“I really enjoyed the event. Dr Wendy is a no-nonsense presenter with a good sense of humour and extensive practical and theoretic knowledge of her subjects. She made everything easy to understand but also challenged our thinking in many ways. I really
enjoyed her insights and perspective. Would definitely recommend to any nurses thinking of attending.”
– Suzanne, Being Trauma-informed Care across the Life Span, The South Pacific 2025
Our Presenters:
Dr Wendy McIntosh
RGN, RMHN, Grad. Dip MH, MN, Cert IV Workplace Assessment & Training, Group Leadership Cert, MRCNA, MANZCMHN, AANZPA
Wendy has over 30 years as a health professional (clinical, education and research), twenty-five of those years in mental health. Areas of specific interest and passion for Wendy include professional supervision, professional boundaries, professional identity, links between childhood trauma and mental illness and workplace bullying.
Sue Walker
RN, BN, BN (ADMIN), MPHC, MACN Specialist Nurse Educator Sue is the director and co-founder of the Nurses for Nurses Network. Sue is a key contributor to the online education platform Nursing CPD – a Continuing Professional Development platform to assist Nurses in meeting their annual CPD requirements.
Conference Program:
DAY ONE
Sessions today will include:
- Setting the Stage: Trauma, Adverse Childhood Events (ACE) and postcodes – yes postcodes do matter!
- An Introduction to Mindfulness
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Importance of Transference and the Parent Adult Child (PAC) Model
- Adverse Childhood Events and the Link to Chronic Medical Conditions, Mental Illness and Substance Use
DAY TWO
Sessions today will include:
- Understanding the limbic system to appreciate the survival of trauma
- Trauma-Informed Care in Your Practice
- Decreasing the Risk of Burnout by Being Trauma-informed
- Trauma, Dissociation, and Dissociative Identity Disorder
- Communication Strategies to Manage Interaction Strategies with Patients who are Experiencing a Dissociative Episode, Thoughts of Self-harm or Suicidality
- Journal Writing
DAY THREE
Sessions today will include:
- Professional Boundaries: Imperative for Safety and Well-being
- How to Avoid Diving into the Patients’ Trauma
- Introduction to the Drama Triangle
- Next Steps: Integrating the Learning Gained from the Conference into your Practice and Workplace
“This course although it covered some very difficult content was absolutely fantastic. The presenters were so engaging and I learnt so much. I had an interest in TIC but now I really want to make a difference. So much information that should be taught to health
professionals during training. The content was very interesting. Professional boundaries and mindfulness should be part of everyday practice. The sessions on the Limbic system and adverse childhood events and how this affects us through life were really eye opening. Would highly recommend this course.”
– Wendy, Being Trauma-informed Care across the Life Span, The South Pacific 2025
What’s Included
- An extensive Conference program based on current best practice
- Conference Presenter who is a recognised expert in her field and is excited to be able to share her skill, knowledge, and passion with Conference Attendees
- A Conference pack that includes a notepad, pen, and additional information to support a fantastic Conference experience
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea as outlined in the program
- A Conference Transcript that identifies each session held at the Conference including the session synopsis and session presenters
- A Certificate of Completion identifying the CPD hours attached to the Conference Program for you to include in your CPD Evidence Portfolio
Registration Cost
$890.00 inc GST
nEED MORE INFO?
The Venue:
Maroochy River Golf Club
374-514 David Low Way,
Bli Bli QLD 4560
Things to do During your Sunshine Coast Visit
Bli Bli Watersports
Located on David Low Way Bli Bli Watersports boast 50 acres of water-born-fun to be had.
From wakeboarding in the cables ski area, bouncing on the inflatable in Wake Park or throwing a line in to try and catch the elusive Barra, you are sure to have a great time.
Enjoy some fabulous food
Without a doubt the Sunshine Coast is a great place for any foodie to visit. It has an array of delicious places to eat and farmers markets to visit.
Even the venue of the conference is well known for its tasty food.
Need some retail therapy?
Of course the place to go to fight the shopping big is to visit iconic Sunshine Plaza.
With over 320 specialty stores there is something for the whole family.
Who doesn't love a good dose of retail therapy?
WHAT OUR ATTENDEES HAD TO SAY
[Wendy] was very knowledgeable and engaging. They understood the audience and knew what they were talking about.
Christine
Great venue. Content of the speaker [Wendy] was well researched and presented very well by all the speakers. Excellent learning experience for CPD.
Margaret
I really enjoyed the event. Dr Wendy is a no-nonsense presenter with a good sense of humour and extensive practical and theoretical knowledge of her subjects. She made everything easy to understand but also challenged our thinking in many ways.
Suzanne
I always enjoy Sue Walker's presentations. She is very fabulous at including everyone. I always enjoy Nursing CPD presentations. I’ve been attending since 2011 and have never been disappointed. I look forward to my next adventure in learning and travelling.
Donna
I found Sue to be a fabulous instructor. She presented as a knowledgeable and considered expert in her field. The participants were engaged for the whole of the workshops, and I enjoyed and learned much.
Bev
I thought the content would maybe be heavy and yes some sessions were emotive but I was so hooked. The presenters (Wendy and Sue) were very engaging and passionate about the content and their energy was contagious.
Mary
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