Supporting Your Steps to Trauma Expertise

Having previously attended Heather's PTSD Masterclass, I had high expectations for this course. Once again I found the theoretical component on day 1 clear and relevant, delivered at a good pace and in an engaging way. The live work with the actor on day 2 was immersive, and embodied the previous learning in a profoundly deep, authentic way that I haven't experienced on any other training. Consequently, I now feel very confident in my understanding of trauma and my ability to integrate this approach into my client work.

I attended to build my confidence in working with PTSD and through Heather’s theory, training and live work with the actor, I left with more ideas and confidence than I had hoped for! Heather’s approach was very informative and empathic and I would recommend (and have recommended!) this course to anyone wishing to build their skills and confidence in working with trauma.

This training was so helpful to me in my work. Heather's integration of CBT strategies with an empathic, humanistic approach was pitch perfect and allowed me to feel confident about working more effectively with my trauma clients in the future. The ' real life ' work with the actor on day 2 was completely immersive - bringing about an exceptional depth of learning and understanding.

I was really satisfied with the quality and complexity of this workshop. Not only it was informative and useful, but also hands-on - with an actress playing our the role of a client most convincingly where the participants could try out the role of a therapist. I would definitely recommend it.

I really enjoyed Heather's training and found it a great source of information, ideas and useful therapeutic strategies. Just as important, Heather was good at encouraging us to contribute so we learned from each other and gained confidence in the skills we already have as well as developing new ones. I would thoroughly recommend this training for people at all stages of clinical development, Heather has something to teach us all, and she does it very well.

I have learned so much about Trauma and how it affects the brain and the body from this course . The learning is so user friendly that I have been able to pass it onto my clients in an easily understood manner . Therapists are involved in practical discussion which also enhances the learning..
This is the first time in over 30 years of working in the field that I understand why people self- harm .
The actor on day 2 was fantastic and gave us a real sense of her "trauma".
OHP handouts are provided for everyone, so its easier to concentrate in session without having to take too many notes as there is so much info to take on board. As I am trying to reduce my paper stores, I scanned the handout , alternatively an emailed copy would have been as useful.

I thoroughly enjoyed attending this workshop, finding it practical and useful for my practice. Dr Sequeira is able to break down what we learnt into easy to understand topics, showing her experience and knowledge of the subject. The live role play was particularly cogent, the actor being a convincing client, and again helpful in bringing together the learnings taught throughout the day. The venue itself was easy to find, clean and inviting, and on a side note, the coffee served was very good. I would highly recommend this course for you to help start develop your understanding of trauma.

I found the simplification of how the brain works helpful and easy to remember.
The live client role play was very interesting but may be difficult to recall as was unsure of the structure i.e. objective of each section.

Overall it was helpful and informative and clear that Dr Sequeira is passionate and knowledable on this topic.

Heather delivered an outstanding course having the right mix of theory and real-world application. It was clear and very well structured. Thank you

I thoroughly enjoyed this training and have come away with more knowledge and confidence for working with clients who have experienced trauma. Heather is extremely friendly and approachable and easy to listen to. This course has simplified theory and methods of working with clients in a way which is accessible for myself as a therapist, but also for those we are working with. I really enjoyed the element of the actor, which brought the therapy to life. It has only been two days since I attended the course and I have already been putting it into practice and reflecting on how much I have taken away from this course. Highly recommended and clinically relevant!

This training is brilliant - Heather is an excellent speaker, and her vast experience and competence shone through. The level was very accessible, even for those with less pre-existing awareness of the model, and she worked really hard to ensure we would feel confident in co-constructing and using trauma-informed formulations, which I really valued. Heather simplified the complexity of trauma research and practice, and I found all of the training to be very memorable and user-friendly. I had arrived with questions about the sequence in which to do interventions, as well as a sense that there's too much competing jargon in this area, but now feel much clearer in both regards. The use of an excellent actor brought the theory to life, and I really valued Heather's openness to questions and participation in all areas of the two days.

I highly recommend this workshop if you want to gain knowledge about PTSD and Trauma. It was very practical, informative and well explained. I liked the language and practical examples Heather used to make the content more accessible and understandable. It is a very good workshop especially if your aim is to understand how the trauma affects the brain and how to deal with PTSD symptoms through a "live practice" experience. However, it may result a little bit too elementary for professionals that have already some insight into the PTSD.
I also quite liked the engagement between all the attendees and Heather, which made the course more interactive and less "teaching".

If you want to gain an insight into the essentials of PTSD, attend this course. I was a little apprehensive about whether the detail would be relevant and accessible. I very quickly realised that there was no need to be concerned. The course content gives an in depth knowledge into the factors associated with trauma and PTSD. A well thought out structure and delivery style ensures that some of the more complex aspects relating to the neuroscience of trauma is extremely well explained and demonstrated, both in a way to ensure personal understanding but also providing relevant clinical application. The afternoon session gave us the chance to put into practice the knowledge learnt from the morning and was one of the most engaging interactive sessions I have been part of during a training course. I walked away with a greater understanding of PTSD, feeling confident that I recognise and better understand it's effects. I thoroughly enjoyed the learning thanks to Heather's engaging delivery style and substantial expertise. Will definitely be looking to book for the 2 day course - a great training experience.

Great workshop with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere! Very useful to gain and develop knowledge of Trauma/PTSD, to share ideas and develop relevant tools to apply practically. Heather presents knowledge and practical skills in an accessible and inspiring way, encouraging valuable discussion throughout. Would highly recommend! I now feel more confident and empowered moving forward.

I really enjoyed the way it was presented and how many new thinks I got from it. I really recomend for people to join this workshop.

This was the first time that I had done a workshop with the BPS, and being a counsellor I was a little daunted at the thought of being with trained psychologists but I really needn't have worried. What I found most helpful was having a way to easily explain to clients the ways in which memories are processed - or not, in the case of trauma. The role play used in the demonstration was done fantastically, allowing the scenario to be 'paused' while we discussed how we might develop our lines of questioning, and encouraging us all to have a go.

As soon as I can afford to I wll be returning to continue with the other trauma modules.

I really appreciated access to Heather's rich store of knowledge on this subject. Also, she has a way of conveying complex information is a really user-friendly way which can in turn, be passed on to the client. A really great 2 days. Thank you

Really good day attending Heather's PTSD Essentials - nicely interactive and good mix of teaching, sharing of ideas / experiences, role play, psych-ed and practical application. Good facilities, use of time and great notes to take away. Definitely following up with the masterclass. Highly recommend to anyone working with trauma.

I found this workshop very useful as I work with suvivors of abuse and felt I need more tools. Heather was a great facilitator which made it easy to follow and understand. I would deffently do more workshops in the future, I feel I gained valuable skills. Thank you

Excellent trainer. Clear knowledgeable and experiential. Theory and practical skills applied neatly to many diverse clinical examples that really helped illustrate processes. On 2nd day Heather an actor role playing a client really brought the therapy into the room. It felt real and enabled us to discuss the therapy process as it was unfolding. Well recommended. CBT basis but well integrated with ACT/ client centred/ attachment therapeutic perspectives.

As a result of this training day I felt refreshed in, and, a lot more confident about my own knowledge of crucial elements of PTSD and the effects of trauma (even when they do not fit within the specified remit of PTSD) as well as my ability to transfer this knowledge to clients in a helpful and constructive way within the course of therapy.
It was interesting to consider how useful, or not, diagnoses and categorizations are, for clients and professionals, as we use them currently as specified in certain publications.
I also found it surprising, refreshing, optimistic and positive that Heather ALWAYS framed and discussed issues in terms of the client's experience of their difficulties, regardless of certain conceptions by staff which could impact on services offered to clients e.g. certain diagnoses create particular ideas about clients even before meeting them.
Heather's knowledge base is clearly substantial, and she is very good at sharing this knowledge, and I look forward to the next workshop I attend that she facilitates.

The course was very informative and helpful for developing further skills and knowledge of PTSD and trauma. The biological explanations are helpful.

I found this to be an excellent day's training. I consolidated and deepened my understanding and came away with transferable skills to use in my practice. The day ran smoothly, at a good pace and with plenty of interaction. Having the actor role play the client made a tremendous difference as we were able to pause the action and discuss what we had learnt. Also, actually seeing Heather work with the 'client' brought alive how we could use the interventions. Really worthwhile training. Looking forward to signing up for some more.

I found the two days very helpful and enjoyable. It gave me some great ideas around making formulation simple and meaningful

I have attended the other workshops and this was no exception. Exceptionally through, highly interactive, totally clinically relevant and with lots of new information. I really benefit from how Heather presents often complex neurobiological ideas in such a simple, easy to understand way. Plus I love the use of metaphors in therapy. I left with renewed confidence, sense of competence and am sure this will pass on clients. The use of an actor presenting as our client is was really helpful and cemented the theory and information in a really practical useful way.

I recently attended a PTSD masterclass run by Heather and was very impressed indeed. The material was highly relevant and directed at the applied context and there was a good meld of formal teaching and discussion throughout. The handouts were relevant and the pacing just right. The highlight for me was the fantastic actor who brought to life the material through an interactive clinical session which really helped with skill development. This was so helpful in transcending the day from a didactic session to a living experience, which was really impactful. I'd highly recommend this if either you're new or uncertain about trauma work, or just needing a refresher. Excellent.

The venue was easily accessible from King's Cross and the room was modern and comfortable, with excellent facilities. The course itself was presented in a relaxed and friendly style whilst remaining professional and informative, and managed to keep my attention for the entire day, which is unusual for me! Heather presented everything in just the right amount of detail, making the information easy to digest and I picked up some really useful tips to help with my clients. I will definitely be booking onto the Masterclass in July.

I found the two day training really valuable. Heather provided a great understanding into PTSD and how to apply the theory into practice. I have been able to take away some strategies Heather provided us to apply when working with our client. The simplified understanding of what happens to the brain was great and the role play put it all together. Thank you!

I found the content for the course spot on in terms of the information of the processes going on in trauma, the rationale for the interventions and then seeing them carried out. The use of an actor was invaluable to see how theory relates to practice. A friendly environment, there is encouragement to paticipate but it's not forced. I came away with some useful and relevant information regarding trauma and feel much more confident now.

I found the training very useful in helping me to gain a better understanding of using CBT with PTSD. In a world were we as psychologist are asked to do more then being clinicians, this course helped me improve and develop my clinical skills.
I highly recommend this course for a better understanding of PTSD but also improve your skills in CBT.

An excellent course which was well paced and informative. The use of multi media maintained interest from start to finish. The actor gave an invaluable opportunity to practice the skills taught. Heather is knowledgeable about the subject and encouraged participant involvement throughout. Highly recommended

I thoroughly enjoyed this training and was one of the best trainings I have attended. Heather's approach is very human and non pathologizing, which was very refreshing. Every part of the training encouraged us as therapists to use down to earth language to engage with our clients and taught us relevant and 'client-friendly' ways of formulating the client's challenges. I have taken away so much from the workshop and in my first day back at work have already used some of what I learnt. I would highly recommend this workshop and plan to book another.

The workshop was great. Heather delivers the perfect balance between providing theory in an accessible way and leaving us with plenty of ideas about how to work with trauma effectively in practice. Thanks I feel much more informed and confident about my practice moving forward.

An interesting and invigorating workshop. I'm glad I decided to attend, and will be attending the master class as soon as I get the chance. Heather is a wonderful facilitator, and I came away with key learning points that I will translate to my clinical practice. I look forward to tapping into her clinical expertise again soon. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a refresher course on trauma and PTSD. I enjoyed the neuropsychological stance and the inclusion of an actor for the role plays was really helpful.
Highly recommended.
Mary, Clinical Psychologist, Dublin.

Dr Heather offered a informative workshop. I learnt so much and took a very good tools away to use it in my therapy session with client/s. Heather’s style of teaching was excelent, she did show the practice skills with a 'client- actor' was extremely interesting.
I would recommend this course to anyone whom would like to work with vurnerble client with trauma experience.
Thank you for such a lovely day.

The first of many workshops I’ll be attending. Informative and insightful, Heather presents a workshop full of relevant, useful knowledge and the opportunity to develop your skills. A very worthwhile workshop and I look forward to the next one. Thank you Heather.