
2023-24 TRAINING:
Post-Traumatic Growth Somatic Therapy Certification Training
COMING TO DENVER IN 2023,
DURANGO IN 2024

Neurobiology trainings build understanding and compassion for human experience
2023-24 Post-Traumatic Growth Somatic Therapy Certification Training
FOUNDATIONS OF POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH SOMATIC TRAINING
In this training series, participants will deeply explore Post-Traumatic Growth from a nervous system and trauma-informed approach. This training will incorporate the newest neurobiological perspectives that facilitate somatic trauma resolution and embodied personal growth and resiliency. This training has a true non-pathologizing approach to neurobiology, recognizing that adaptations are connected to neurobiology and experiences—and based on our humanness.
DATES:
FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY
August 25,26, 27
September 22,23,24
October 27, 28, 29
TIME:
9-5:30 with 1.5 hour lunch
Two 1.5 hour Group Consultation blocks between modules is included for 66 hours total training
LOCATION:
Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
Empire Building
1385 S Colorado Blvd.
Ste. 610-A
Denver, CO 80222
COST:
Early Bird Pricing: $2375 for all three blocks if paid one month ahead all at one time—paid by July 25
Early Registration Per Block: $845 per block (registering one block at a time)—paid by 2 weeks before training date:
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Mod 1 paid by Aug 11, after regular pricing
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Mod 2 paid by Sept 8,after regular pricing
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Mod 3 paid by Oct 13, after regular pricing
This training is for the practitioner who wants their own growth to provide the container for supporting growth in their clients. Clients can generally only go as far as the practitioner, so the practitioner’s ability to be mindful of their own patterning—with its strengths and limits—will be a soft focus, making each practitioner feel more effective and supported. Using self to support growth and possibility will be a cornerstone of this method.
Developmental wounding’s impact on core beliefs and neurobiological trauma states can get in the way of post-traumatic growth. This training will deepen practitioners’ understanding of attachment styles, emotions, nervous system states, and how they all relate to supporting post-traumatic growth. With this understanding, participants will increase their ability to work with clients' nervous systems and their own.
The workshop will have presentations, demonstrations, videos, experiential exercises, and practice, all aimed at helping participants learn how to use these skills with themselves and others. In addition to the topics listed, each module will build from previous material and skills and promote greater understanding, skillfulness, and confidence.
This training is grounded in Dr. Steven Porges Polyvagal theory. It also pulls from Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Dr. Dan Siegel, Dr. Allan Shore, Dr. Rick Hanson, Diane Poole-Heller, Ron Kurtz, Peter Levine, Deb Dana, and Pat Ogden.
Each module is 21 hours, and includes two 1.5 Supervision/Consultation Groups in between modules. It is a total 66 hours of training.
TOPICS COVERED:
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How to create the conditions for Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG).
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The neurobiology of trauma and resiliency.
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How to have and develop a skillful presence that promotes and signals safety in others.
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How to identify nervous system states and what they most need to move towards growth.
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The phases of Post-Traumatic Growth.
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How to support the nervous system by working with different trauma motor plans of fight/flight/freeze/shutdown in the body for shifting nervous system arousal patterns.
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Understanding appeasement as biological response and ways to be more effective in working with it.
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Understanding the biology of deactivation of the nervous system and the pathways that support this deactivation.
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Learning attunement skills to promote safety.
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Understanding the neurobiology of attachment and regulation through the lens of polyvagal theory.
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How to recognize indicators of attachment adaptations in client presentation and skills to be more effective in promoting co-regulation.
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How attachment adaptation affects working with clients, as well as how to self-identify the practitioner’s attachment adaptation for increased effectiveness.
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Have a deeper understanding of the biology of regulation: auto-regulation, co-regulation and self-regulation.
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How to utilize mindfulness principles and other neural exercises to support post-traumatic growth and resiliency.
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The neurobiology of developmental wounding and core beliefs.
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How developmental wounding creates blocks to PTG.
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The personality characteristics that are developed as an adaptation to each stage of development through the lens of the nervous system.
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Identifying the strength and limits of relational adaptations of each kind of developmental wounding.
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How to work with core beliefs and how these connect to nervous system states defined by polyvagal theory.
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Understanding how trauma identity forms as part of core beliefs.
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The biology of shame and how it can block PTG as well as skills for increased effectiveness with shame.
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How to use the neurobiology of self-compassion to alleviate symptoms of shame.
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How to support shifts in “victim thinking” and finding meaning after trauma.
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How to integrate post-traumatic growth qualities in ourselves.
2 1.5 hour Consultation/Supervision Groups are included in the price of this training with Ruby Jo Walker.
66 CEUs total
Each module requires attendance at previous modules. To receive certification, students must attend all 3 modules or make arrangements with the instructor.
Coming to Durango in 2024, dates to be announced. Please reach out to Ruby Jo Walker, at swtraumatraining@gmail if you are interested.

“
"Ruby Jo is a master and expert practitioner in the field of therapy rooted in the latest cutting edge research and modalities of body based interpersonal neurobiology. So much of what therapy has been doing for a century is based on guesswork and unprovable theory, but Ruby Jo's modality is based on the latest science and evidence of how nervous systems and people actually change. There is just no one doing what she is doing with people and it just really works compared to traditional therapeutic modalities that I have tried. I have been a student and client of her modality for 6 years and I am an infinitely better and healthier practitioner and human than I was when I began the journey. There is just no one who is tying the things together from different fields. She is constantly learning and integrating all she learns from the latest research and she is humble, loving, caring and boundaried."
– Robin Wolthausen, MSW Student and Life Coach
”