SCS Auckland/ Hamilton/ Whanganui/ Wellington GROUP WORK 2025
TERM 2Auckland/WellingtonAuckland/Wellington
The Nelson Clinic is offering adjunctive group therapy for SCS clients in 2025.
Our group therapy classes will allow participants to experience being in their bodies and becoming familiar with inner sensations as a broader journey towards healing.
Calming an Anxious Mind (CAM)
Formerly My Body, My Balance (MBMB)
Facilitators: Hester Phillips & Jade Ferriere
2-Day Retreats - Wellington & Auckland (Female Only)
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.
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.
Wellington: Calming an Anxious Mind - an in person 12 hour My Body My Balance 2 day retreat - Central Wellington (Exact venue to be confirmed)
Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June 11:30am - 5:30pm
Auckland: Calming an Anxious Mind - an in person 12 hour My Body My Balance 2 day retreat - Central Auckland (Exact venue to be confirmed)
Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May 11:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June 11:30am - 5:30pm
Auckland Based In-Person
Trauma Sensitive Yoga Groups (TSY)
Facilitators: Jessica Dziwulska & Amy Benjamin
Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is an evidence-based intervention designed for complex trauma and treatment-resistant PTSD. Rooted in trauma theory, neuroscience, and yoga philosophy, TCTSY emphasises reconnecting with inner sensations rather than focusing on physical forms. This internal focus supports participants in increasing tolerance to sensory experiences and enhancing emotional awareness. Research by Bessel van der Kolk has shown that TCTSY can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms and improve functioning.
WEEKLY CLASSES (In-Person): Term 2 2025
Facilitators: Jessica Dziwulska & Amy Benjamin
12:30pm - 2pm - Tuesday (LGBQT+ & All Genders) April 29th - Grey Lynn
12:30-2pm - Thursday (Women Only) May 1st - North Shore Venue TBC
Auckland Based In-Person
Tools For Transforming Trauma Day Retreats
Facilitators: Jessica Dziwulska, Rata Gordon & Hester Phillips
TSY DAY RETREATS: Term 2 2025 (Women only)
Auckland: Tools for Transforming Trauma - an in person 6 hour Trauma-Sensitive Yoga/Creative Arts Therapy Group Program
Facilitators: Jessica Dziwulska, Hester Phillips & Rata Gordon
Our Tools For Transforming Trauma day retreats support clients to connect to their body in reparative ways. We explore mindful movement, safe social connections, therapeutic creativity, and how to develop healthy coping strategies. Participants will come away with a range of practices they can take into daily life.
Saturday 26th April - 11:30am - 5:30pm (Mairangi Bay)
Saturday 24th May - 11:30am - 5:30pm (Mairangi Bay)
Moving to Heal: Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) - Whanganui
Facilitators: Zoe Deverick & Julie Crocker
Are you seeking a holistic approach to healing from trauma? Our upcoming seven-week Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) program is the first of its kind in Whanganui. It offers a unique, supportive environment where you can explore self-expression through movement, deepen your body awareness, and connect with others on a similar journey.
WEEKLY CLASSES: Term 2 2025
IN-PERSON CLASSES
Group participants will be those with mild to moderate mental health issues including PTSD. The group would not be suitable for participants with acute psychotic disorders.
Whanganui in Person (7 weeks) 30th April - 11th July
10:00 -11:30am (Wednesday) - Quaker Friends Meeting House , Whanganui (Women only
Pathways to Inner Calm: A Full-Day Journey to Calm and Connection(All Genders)
Mauri Tau Wānanga: Central and West Auckland
Facilitators: Jessica Gerbic & Alexandra Murphy
Join us for a one-day wānanga designed to help you reconnect with yourself, regulate your emotions, and cultivate a deep sense of mauri tau. Rooted in trauma-sensitive, culturally grounded practices, this wānanga offers a holistic approach to healing and well-being.
Throughout the day, you’ll engage in breathwork (hā), pūrākau, taonga pūoro, whenua work, and karakia, alongside creative and grounding activities that may include harakeke mahi, movement, or deep reflection. Each wānanga is unique, offering different pathways to emotional regulation, self-care, and spiritual connection.
Mauri Tau is about understanding your inner states and learning how to shift and respond with intention—so you feel more grounded, present, and in control. Whether you’re new to this journey or deepening your practice, this space is open to you.
Open to all—you do not need to whakapapa Māori to attend. Anyone seeking a holistic approach to well-being is welcome. The opportunity to attend multiple wānanga, each offering a unique experience.
Pathways to Inner Calm: Day Retreat
Auckland: Ceramco Park Function Centre or Mt Albert Community and Leisure Centre Redwood Community Hall
Friday 23rd of May - 9:00am - 4:00pm (All Genders)
Friday 13th of June - 9:00am - 4:00pm (All Genders)
Friday 25th of July - 9:00am - 4:00pm (All Genders)
Reclaiming Self: A Holistic Healing Retreat
IFS (Internal Family Systems)
Facilitators: Angela Carter/ Isobel Suter/ Caoimhe O'Leary
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
Hamilton: Trust Waikato
Facilitators: Angela Carter & Isobel Suter
Thursday 26th - Friday 27th June 9:00am - 5:00pm
Wellington: Thistle Hall
Facilitators: Angela Carter & Caoimhe O'Leary
Wednesday 12th - Thursday 13th June 9:00am - 5:00pm
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 16 (7 x 1.5h sessions + set up/pack down) - DMT weekly course
- SCSGT x 12 (8 x 1.5h sessions) - AKL TSY weekly course
- SCSGT x 7 (6h session + set-up/pack-down) 1 day retreat AKL TSY
- SCSGT x 7.5 (6.5h session + set-up/pack-down) 1 day retreat Mauri Tau
- SCSGT x 16 (2 x 8h sessions) 2-Day Retreats (IFS + CAM)
- 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 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 Workfacilitators 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.