Queer-Ed presents our programme Existential and Humanistic Approaches to Abuse. This two day programme is an interactive online training that explores Sexual abuse. In most training programmes this subject is not given much in depth exploration even though there is a huge prevalence of clients presenting with issues around sexual violence. This training will focus on Gender Based Violence, its impacts and how to work with them therapeutically drawing from Existential and Humanistic therapies. Bertil and Zuzi have a combined experience of over two decades in working with survivors and will be delivering a training that is embodied and practical as well as understanding the most cutting edge theory of embodied trauma. 

Our training combines an understanding on the ecological model of trauma with an understanding of how this manifests in queer and hetrosexual relationships. We draw on the bio-psycho-social model, queer theory, decolonial and transformative justice approaches to working with a focus on intimate partner abuse as well as childhood sexual abuse. We will be focusing on our understanding of abuse and how often it is shaped by gender and carceral politics and support attendees to challenge their own understanding of the work and how our own understanding of what is and isn’t abuse can impact survivors experiences. 

The two-day training will include:

• Embodied and experiential exercises that can be used with clients 

• Naming and recognizing abusive dynamics and sexually harmful behaviour 

• Embodied trauma and the neuroscience of trauma 

• Shame and its impact on clients and practitioners 

• Understanding abuse in the LGBTQIA+ community 

• How to work with abuse 

• Case studies 

• Group supervision 

At the end of the training, participants will:

• Have a deep and meaningful understanding of how to work with sexual abuse with clients of all sexualities and genders

• Have practical skills to use with clients 

• Have an understanding of how to regulate your own and clients nervous systems 

• Have a list of resources and learning on further study 

• Have an understanding of poly vagal theory and how you can use it to support clients

• Have a list of mindfulness exercises 

• Understand how to safeguard clients which is client centered and transformative 

Facilitated on Zoom for a small group of attendees, this training integrates material and approaches from multiple therapeutic approaches, with a focus on Gestalt, humanistic and existential ways of thinking, and so is suitable for therapists across modalities as we build a peer-lead understanding of how to best work with sexual abuse. 

*We want these trainings to be as accessible to as many people as possible, so please email us if you would like to attend but cannot afford the cost of the training. We would appreciate if you can let us know a bit about yourself in your message, and why you would benefit from an access rate.

About the Facilitators

Bertil Grunberg is a relational Gestalt trained Psychotherapist, facilitator and trainer with over 15 years of experience in training. They bring together their work based in social justice, Gender-Based Violence and therapeutic work to facilitate groups and deliver trainings. They have a private practice in London working with queer and neurodivergent clients specializing in polyamory, kink and trauma.