Trauma & The Brain

Discover how grief impacts the mind—and how understanding the brain can support healing.

This two-part, live online workshop explores grief and life transitions through both emotional and neurological lenses. You’ll learn how grief manifests, how trauma affects brain function, and how to support yourself and others through emotional pain and change.

The workshop integrates insights from leading voices in trauma and brain science, including Bessel van der Kolk, Daniel Amen, Caroline Leaf, and Clint Adams.

Why This Workshop Matters

  • Grief isn’t just emotional—it’s neurological. Learn how trauma rewires the brain and how to respond with empathy and skill.
  • Support yourself and others better. Gain tools for managing grief constructively and preventing harmful coping habits.
  • Grow personally and professionally. Ideal for those working in care or counselling, and anyone seeking personal insight.

Workshop Benefits

  • Enhanced emotional regulation and resilience
  • Stronger communication and empathy skills
  • Improved decision-making during crisis
  • Better support for clients, family, and yourself
  • A holistic understanding rooted in neuroscience, psychology, theology, and real-world application


What You’ll Learn

Session 1: Understanding Grief

  • Grief types and symptoms
  • Gender and cultural differences in grieving
  • Coping mechanisms (problem-focused, emotional, avoidance, and spiritual)
  • Grief theories (Kubler-Ross, Stroebe & Schut)
  • The impact of secondary losses (e.g., identity, relationships, stability)
  • How life transitions trigger grief—and how to navigate them
  • Tools for supporting yourself and others through grief

Session 2: Trauma and the Brain

  • Introduction to the Triune Brain Model
  • Emotional vs. rational brain (Red vs. Blue Brain)
  • Brain structures affected by trauma: amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus
  • How trauma alters memory, behaviour, and decision-making
  • Strategies for emotional regulation, resilience, and healing

Workshop Details

  • Duration: 2 sessions (3.5 hours each)
  • Format: Live online via Microsoft Teams
  • Materials: Downloadable workbook included
  • Fee: R900
  • CPD Points: 7 (CPSC Accredited: 4E)
  • Course Code: ACRPCPSC2026/01/31MR
  • Bonus: Optional debriefing/mentorship with Dr. Michele Rossouw, CPSC Supervisor (CPSC Sup00903/2025)
Register Now

Take the first step toward deeper understanding, healing, and growth—for yourself and those you support.

Participant Feedback

“This course was exceptional. It created a massive paradigm shift. This course proves why it is so important to continue learning. I really enjoyed the freedom to ask questions at any time and the depth of the answers. I also enjoyed the dedicated time to interact with the presenter and other attendees.”

“This was an excellent workshop. The presenter was professional, knowledgeable, and able to explain complex biology in understandable ways with helpful illustrations.”

 
“Because of the dense content it was very nice to have the sessions split and it also gave time to reflect on the content. I really appreciate the enthusiasm and knowledge on the content. And thank you for the opportunity to stay in contact.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the workshop and would recommend it to any person involved in counselling”.

“It was a comprehensive introduction to Grief – all of it new to me. I found it very interesting and a much broader field of application than I had anticipated.“

Let’s Connect

michele@you-turn.co.za