Nelson/Marlborough Group Work
Facilitators: Hester Phillips & Zoe Lopes
Resilient Boundaries (RB) is carefully designed to offer trauma-sensitive healing for kiritaki who would benefit from developing a positive sense of self, alongside improved boundary recognition, communication, and self-agency. RB is an ideal resource for people seeking insight and practical tools to enhance positive self identity and develop healthier relationships. This program offers an embodied, skills-based approach that effectively complements individual therapy.
How is the Resilient Boundaries program offered?
This eight-week, in-person program combines Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (traumasensitiveyoga.com) and Art Therapy to support clients who are feeling disconnected from their bodies. Unlike a typical yoga class, our programs are not about performing poses or learning from a teacher. They are grounded in trauma theory, neuroscience and attachment theory, and are aimed at cultivating interoception, or the felt sense of the body. We prioritise choice, safety, and predictability above all else, creating a structured environment where participants can safely explore their body’s sensations and find deeper meaning. Each 90-minute session includes 60 minutes of TC-TSY and 30 minutes of art therapy integration linked to body-befriending themes. Participants have time to ground, integrate and make meaning of their experience while connecting with others over a cuppa.
Recent feedback includes: "I could see my body as mine and felt empowered to protect and find trust in my system".
WEEKLY CLASSES: Term 1 2026
Facilitators: Jen Holmes-Beamer & Aurelie Chambers
WEEKLY IN-PERSON CLASSES: Term 1 2026
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.
Parts in Motion: An IFS & Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Experience (8 week course)
Please note, this program is primarily experiential rather than discussion-based, skills-based, or didactic. It offers a safe environment where clients can experience co-regulation, presence and relational safety without disclosure or performance – important for those who become activated by interpersonal stress. In our experience, the absence of required sharing reduces shame activation, while meaningful connection often emerges naturally in informal and unstructured moments.
A Soft Place to Land is a 10-week Trauma Sensitive Yin Yoga and healing journey designed for women, which includes a nurturing day retreat. Throughout this journey, participants gently build tolerance to physical and emotional experience. The practices are offered at a pace that honours each participant, helping build a deeper understanding of how their body responds to stress, safety and connection. The program concludes with a nurturing retreat, offering a space to integrate and reflect on the journey.
Thursday 12th February- 1:15pm - 2:15pm (venue TBA) - 10 Weeks
Thursday 23rd April - 9:30am - 3:30pm Day Retreat Included (Kimi Ora)
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Facilitators: Nicola Finlayson & Sabina Wick
EMDR - Healing Within is a gentle six-session, trauma-informed group programme designed for adults with ACC Sensitive Claims who are recovering from the impact of trauma. Grounded in EMDR’s Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model and the Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (GTEP), this small group provides a safe, structured, and culturally responsive space to begin trauma reprocessing without requiring verbal disclosure. Each session incorporates psychoeducation, mindfulness, relational regulation, and EMDR-based resourcing and processing strategies, helping participants build safety, stability, and self-regulation. Outcomes may include reduced PTSD symptoms, improved daily functioning, enhanced coping skills, and greater confidence in self-care and connection with others. Two experienced facilitators provide guidance and containment throughout, ensuring a safe and supportive group environment.
TERM 2: Tuesday 21st April (6 Weeks)
EMDR - Healing Within - Resourcing - Nelson
Facilitators: Anna Clarkson & Lara Cusdin
EMDR-Healing Within Resourcing Group is a gentle three session in-person group focusing on helping clients feel safer, stronger and more prepared for healing. This group is designed for ACC Sensitive Claims clients who want to build stability, confidence, and inner resources before starting or alongside trauma therapy. People join this group who may feel anxious about trauma processing, experience dissociation, overwhelm or shutdown, who want practical tools to feel safer in their mind/body and would like to experience this in a calm and supportive group environment. This group focuses only on resourcing and stabilisation not trauma processing. Clients can expect a gentle, culturally sensitive, supportive group environment, no disclosure - you never need to share personal details, tools you can you immediately, increased readiness for future trauma therapy and two experienced EMDR facilitators.
RISE - Ngā Parirau Tāne (Male)
This programme is for males who have experienced sexual abuse and struggle with anger management and violence in relationships. It acknowledges participants in their dual reality—as survivors of trauma and as individuals who may have, or are contemplating, using violence. Through structured modules including Anger vs. Violence, Fault vs. Responsibility, and Impact on Children, men develop the skills to break cycles of harm within their families. Key focus areas include understanding the link between unresolved trauma and current behaviours, developing emotional regulation strategies, and building healthier relationship patterns. Participants gain tools to manage anger constructively while taking responsibility for their actions and their role in protecting future generations.
(10 Weeks) Wednesday 22nd April - Time TBC (Nelson RISE Office)
RISE - Ngā Parirau Wahine (Female)
This programme is for females who have experienced sexual abuse and face challenges maintaining safety in relationships, managing intense emotions, and parenting effectively. It addresses the complex aftermath of trauma, particularly for women who have experienced multiple abusive relationships due to boundary difficulties stemming from their abuse history. Through modules including Justice and Accountability, Parenting After Trauma, and Healthy Relationships and Sexual Respect, participants develop resilience and healthier relational patterns. Key focus areas include recognising safe versus unsafe relationship dynamics, rebuilding self-worth, setting and maintaining boundaries, and developing effective self-care strategies. The programme provides practical tools for breaking free from cycles of harm while supporting participants' healing journey.
(10 Weeks) Friday 24th April - Time TBC (Nelson RISE Office)
- SCSGTT x1 - All Classes
- SCSGT x 12 (8 x 1.5h sessions) Weekly CAM, TSY, Resilient Boundaries, Parts in Motion classes
- SCSGT x 16 (2 x 8h sessions) CAM 2 Day Retreats, Soft Place to Land
- SCSGT x 12 (6 weeks x 2 hours) EMDR Golden Bay
- SCSGT x 6 (3 weeks x 2 hours) EMDR Resourcing Nelson
- SCSGT x 21 (10 weeks x 2 hours + 1 hour Pre-Meeting) RISE Ngā Parirau classes
- Time frames: 01/01/2026 - 31/07/2026
- Vendor ID: VAH127 (The Nelson Clinic)
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.
- Term 1:
- Term 2:
- Term 3:
- Term 4:
Nelson
Auckland
Online
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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