Nelson/Marlborough Group Work
Trauma Sensitive Yoga Nelson (TSY)
Embodied Healing Group Program
Facilitators: Jen Holmes-Beamer & Aurelie Chambers
Embodied Healing is a gentle and nourishing 8-week program designed to empower participants to befriend their body, explore inner experiences and practice body-based & creative resources of wellbeing. The day program provides a (1 hour) TC-TSY practice (www.trauma sensitive yoga.com) and (30 minutes) dedicated to integration through visual art media, journaling and or social interaction.
WEEKLY CLASSES: Term 2 2025
Nelson In Person (8 Weeks) 28th April - 27th June
Facilitators: Jen Holmes-Beamer & Aurelie Chambers
09:15 - 10:45am (Wednesdays) - Koru Centre, Nelson (Female only)
10:45 - 12:15 am (Wednesdays) - Koru Centre, Nelson (Female only)
Calming an Anxious Mind (CAM)
Formerly My Body, My Balance (MBMB)
Facilitators: Hester Phillips & Jade Ferriere
WEEKLY CLASSES: Term 2, 2025
IN-PERSON CLASSES
Support your clients to build resilience and self-care with Calming an Anxious Mind (CAM)—an 8-week, trauma-sensitive program designed to help them reconnect with their bodies and develop practical tools for managing stress and emotions.
Through a blend of movement, arts therapy, and psychoeducation, participants learn to feel more at ease in their bodies, calm emotional overwhelm, and foster a sense of self-compassion in a safe and supportive group setting.
For more details and registration information, see the attached flyer.
Nelson In Person (8 weeks) 5th May -23rd June
9:30 - 11:00am (Mondays) - Koru Centre, Nelson (female only)
Calming an Anxious Mind 2-Day Retreats - Nelson
This retreat is designed for people who have experienced trauma and are living with symptoms of overwhelm in their daily lives (who have a current SCS
Claim). If your client is looking for tools and support to manage these symptoms, understand more about trauma, and feel empowered in their healing journey, this group may be for them.
This retreat is designed to be a compassionate space to explore self-care, manage stress, and develop practical tools for emotional balance.
For more details on the retreat and how to register your clients, see the attached flyer.
Nelson: Calming an Anxious Mind - an in person 12 hour My Body My Balance 2 day retreat - Koru Centre - (Female Only)
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May 11:30am - 5:30pm
Reclaiming Self: A Holistic Healing Retreat
IFS (Internal Family Systems)
Facilitators: Angela Carter, Anna Clarkson & Lucia Menchini
Reclaiming Self is a two-day healing retreat designed for those seeking to reconnect with themselves, restore inner balance, and cultivate self-trust. Through a supportive group setting, participants will explore Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic practices, and cultural well-being approaches to gently unburden the past, strengthen emotional resilience, and reclaim their sense of mana. This retreat offers a safe and nurturing space for self-discovery, healing, and integration.
DAY RETREATS: Term 2 2025
Nelson: Fairfield House
Facilitators: Angela Carter & Anna Clarkson
Wednesday 30th April - Thursday 1st May 9:00am - 5:00pm
Parts in Motion: An IFS & Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Experience (8 week course)
IFS/TC-TSY (Internal Family Systems/ Trauma Sensitive Yoga)
Facilitators: Angela Carter & Alessandra Marchisio
Embodied Healing: An 8-week transformative program integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy with Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY) to support deep healing, nervous system regulation, and self-connection. Through guided journaling, somatic awareness, and gentle movement, this course offers a safe space to explore, honour, and release stored trauma while cultivating Self-led healing.
WEEKLY CLASSES: Term 2 2025
Blenheim: Redwood Community Hall
Wednesdays 5:15pm - 6:45pm
Process for Lead Providers
1. Purchase Order Request
To arrange approval for a client to attend the group, please contact the client's recovery partner as soon as possible. You will need to provide a rationale and request the following codes be approved:
- SCSGTT x1 - All Classes
- SCSGT x 12 (8 x 1.5h sessions) - all weekly classes
- SCSGT x 7 (5.5h session + set-up/pack-down) Self Care Saturday 1 Day Retreat
- SCSGT x 16 (2 x 8h sessions) IFS 2 Day Retreat
- Time frames: 01/04/2025 - 01/07/2025
- Vendor ID: VAH127 (The Nelson Clinic)
This is a simple example of a rationale that could be provided:
"We would like to request approval please for this client to attend a group course run by the Nelson Clinic (VAH127), which will commence on DATE.
The aim of this would be for the client to acquire some additional skills in managing PTSD and depressive symptomatology and promote an opportunity for safe social connection to address current isolation. Could you please let me know if this can be approved for the client? They are motivated to attend this treatment, which aligns well with their current goals as outlined in the wellbeing plan".
The deadline for Term 2 Purchase Orders to be received by The Nelson Clinic is the Friday before the class begins.
Please copy us into your ACC PO request so we know to expect it via our groups email
2. Registration
When The Nelson Clinic receives the Purchase Order from ACC we will be in contact to get your client registered and to advise you of the next steps.
3. Triage
Once we have received your registration form, one of our Group Work facilitators will contact your client to triage for any needs prior to commencing the group. You will be kept informed of any decisions relating to your client.
2. Registration
When The Nelson Clinic receives the Purchase Order from ACC we will be in contact to get your client registered and to advise you of the next steps.
3. Triage
Once we have received your registration form, one of our TSY facilitators will contact your client to triage for any needs prior to commencing the group. You will be kept informed of any decisions relating to your client.
What we offer
Trauma Sensitive Yoga is a 60-minute class. After the class, an additional 30 minutes is provided to foster additional opportunities for safe social connection, further co-regulation and integration by extending the practice to receive tea/coffee and participation in integration activities, such as art, and journaling. This is optional and clients can leave at any time. This time is designed to support safe opportunities for social connection and integration of yoga.
Potential benefits and outcomes of TSY
The experience of practicing yoga can help participants find union between disconnected and disrupted aspects of the self. Trauma-sensitive principles allow space to safely re-connect the body and mind into a felt sense of integration and wholeness by beginning to befriend the body, explore inner experiences with curiosity and practice somatic and body-based resources of wellbeing. TCTSY cultivates interoceptive capacity as a pathway to awareness, agency and re-connection.
This programme can be a complement to counselling or therapy to allow participants to become familiar with inner sensations as a broader journey towards healing.
Potential benefits and outcomes of TCTSY include:
- Reduction in PTSD symptoms.
- Improved functioning.
- Increased tolerance to physical and sensory experience.
- Increased emotional awareness and affect tolerance.
- Practice making choices in relation to the body.
Who can participate in this group?
Anyone with an approved ACC ISSC claim and is currently engaged in ISSC therapy is eligible. Clients can request participation by contacting their therapist and expressing interest. If appropriate, the therapist can then request approval from ACC.
Group participants will be those with mild to moderate mental health issues including PTSD or complex trauma. The group would not be
suitable for participants with acute psychotic disorders.
For the online group programme, it is essential that participants have learned some emotional regulation / grounding skills in case they become dysregulated in a session or have the ability to notice distress and reach out for support via the support therapist.
What do you need for an in-person class?
Everything is provided but participants are also more than welcome to bring their own mat / props if they choose. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes that can be moved in.
What do you need for an online class?
Participants will need a phone or computer with high-speed internet.
Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes that can be moved in.
Participant Commitment
We run 8-week courses and there is an expectation that participants will make a commitment to attend all sessions to ensure optimal benefit and be able to integrate these practices over time.
Outcome Measure and Evaluation
Self regulation starts with interoception. Participants will fill out a Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) questionnaire prior to starting, and upon completion of the yoga course. An anonymous evaluation form will be provided to participants to assess their experience of the group and inform development.
Safety
We will liaise with participants and the lead provider (therapist) prior to the group commencing to ensure we are aware of any particular needs or safety concerns that may require supportive attention. Participants will be invited to check in with the facilitators after each session if they require additional support and we will liaise with the lead provider to ensure participants are supported as needed.
Cultural Sensitivity
Cultural diversity and bicultural awareness are seen as a strength in group process and participants will be encouraged to express any unique cultural perspectives and needs. We will check with participants prior to the group whether there is anything needed to feel safe and comfortable.
2025 Term Dates
- Term 1:
- Term 2: Online - In person -
- Term 3:
- Term 4:
Nelson
- Wednesdays 09:15 - 10:45 (Female only class)
- Wednesdays 10:45 - 12:15 (Female only class)
Auckland
- Wednesdays 12:30 - 14:00 (Female only class)
- Thursdays 12:30 - 14:00 (Female only class)
Online
- Mondays 09:30 - 10:30 (Mixed class)
Process for Lead Providers
The deadline for Term 2 Purchase Orders is one week prior to classes starting
1. Purchase Order Request
To arrange approval for a client to attend the group, please contact the client's recovery partner as soon as possible. You will need to provide a rationale and request the following codes be approved:
In-person classes
- SCGT x1
- SCGW x12 (8x 1.5h sessions) OR
Online classes
- SCGT x1
- SCGW x 8 (8x 1h sessions)
General
- Time frames: 01 May - December 2024 (extended time frame to accommodate any flexibility required for clients)
- Vendor ID: VAH127 (The Nelson Clinic)
This is a simple example of a rationale that could be provided:
"We would like to request approval please for this client to attend a group course run by the Nelson Clinic (VAH127), which will commence on DATE.
The aim of this would be for the client to acquire some additional skills in managing PTSD and depressive symptomatology and promote an opportunity for safe social connection to address current isolation. Could you please let me know if this can be approved for the client? They are motivated to attend this treatment, which aligns well with their current goals as outlined in the wellbeing plan".
2. Registration
When The Nelson Clinic receives the Purchase Order from ACC we will be in contact to get your client registered and to advise you of the next steps.
3. Triage
Once we have received your registration form, one of our TSY facilitators will contact your client to triage for any needs prior to commencing the group. You will be kept informed of any decisions relating to your client.
Group Facilitators (Nelson)
Jen Holmes-Beamer
Jen is grounded in evidence-based and holistic models of trauma therapy including trauma-informed psychotherapy, EMDR and trauma-sensitive yoga, on a basis of a collaborative therapeutic relationship. As an internationally accredited yoga therapist and certified trauma sensitive yoga facilitator, Jen has developed and facilitated yoga as healing treatment programs within psychiatric units, non-profit agencies and community programs in Canada and New Zealand for the past 8 years. Jen offers a gentle and intuitive approach, supporting trauma survivors to safely re-connect with their inner world in order to cultivate innate wisdom and capacity for healing.
Aurélie Chambers
Aurélie is a registered Art Therapist with ANZACATA (NZ) and ATCB (USA) and has over 20 years’ experience working sensitively with children, adolescents, and adults to help facilitate the expression of difficult thoughts and feelings through creative media. She uses a client centred and multimodal approach to working with clients to meet individual needs.
Anna Clarkson
Anna is a clinical psychologist who has specialised in working with trauma for many years and has a particular interest in an integrative approach to healing. Anna has completed initial training in Trauma Centre Trauma-Sensitive Yoga.
Group Facilitators (Auckland)
Jessica Dziwulska
Jessica is a Trauma Informed movement and well-being practitioner who has practiced and studied the physical, emotional, and mental benefits of movement, therapeutic dance, restorative practices, trauma, and yoga for close to 3 decades. She is passionate about facilitating a personalised approach for each person in a way that is unique to their body, mind, history, and hopes.
Yoko Obata
Yoko is an ACC ISSC registered Clinical Arts Therapist. She is trained in Arts Therapy, Dance Movement Therapy, Somatic Therapy and EMDR. She has a Master's degree in Arts Therapy (Clinical) and a Bachelor's in Psychology. She holds the view that healing, recovery, and growth are a creative process, and her experience with martial arts, Japanese Taiko drumming, substance abuse counselling and bodywork/Eastern Medicine also contributes to her trauma therapy work where she holds the space for clients to connect with themselves and to the natural intelligence of their body. She works both online and in person in Parnell Auckland, as well as assisting the TSY group in Browns Bay.
Vic Hathaway
Vic is both a certified teacher and a registered therapist specialising in trauma-recovery. She is trained in DBT, ACT and aspects of EMDR and holds a Masters of Counselling from the University of Auckland. As an ACC Sensitive Claims provider, Vic has found that traditional talk-therapy is both enhanced and enriched when combined with body-based interventions, such as yoga and somatic movement. There is plenty of evidence pointing to the fact that trauma is stored in the body, and it therefore makes sense that it also needs to be released from the body in order to heal and encourage post-traumatic growth.
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