Healing Our Relational World: Trauma, the Body, and Relational Healing with Bessel van der Kolk & Licia Sky
- 28th September 2025
- New Theatre, Oxford, United Kingdom
Seating is first come first served.
Healing Our Relational World: Trauma, the Body, and Relational Healing
Unlock the healing power of the body in transforming relationships affected by trauma in this transformative half-day workshop led by internationally renowned trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, and renowned somatic practitioner Licia Sky. Combining cutting-edge trauma research with somatic, body-based practices, this workshop provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore how trauma impacts not only the mind, but also the body and our ability to form meaningful connections with others.
In today’s world, trauma manifests not only in individual suffering but also in the way we relate to others—partners, family members, colleagues, and society at large. Trauma can disrupt the natural rhythms of connection, trust, and intimacy, creating a sense of disconnection in our relationships. Bessel van der Kolk’s pioneering work has shown that healing requires more than just talking; it demands a reconnection with the body, where trauma is often held, to restore balance and foster relational health.
In this highly experiential workshop, Bessel van der Kolk and Licia Sky will offer a unique blend of theory and practice that goes beyond conventional trauma therapy. You’ll gain a profound understanding of how trauma lives in the body and how to use body-based approaches to heal, not only yourself but also your relationships. This is an opportunity to learn directly from two leaders in the field of trauma and relational healing and to experience firsthand the transformational power of somatic practices.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your personal healing journey, enhance your professional practice, or improve your relational dynamics, this workshop provides the tools and insights necessary to create lasting change.
What the session covers:
- Understanding the Science of Trauma and Relationships: Bessel van der Kolk will present key insights into how trauma impacts the brain, body, and relationships. Learn how trauma reshapes the nervous system, alters emotional regulation, and inhibits the capacity for intimacy and trust. Discover how healing the body plays a crucial role in restoring relational balance and connection.
- Somatic Practices for Trauma Healing: Licia Sky will guide participants through experiential, body-based exercises that help restore connection to the body and to others. Through movement, touch, breath, and voice work, you’ll experience firsthand how somatic practices can release trauma held in the body and open the door to emotional and relational healing. These techniques are designed to help you develop greater body awareness, restore a sense of safety, and rebuild trust within yourself and with others.
- Relational Healing Through Movement and Touch: Trauma not only affects the individual but also disrupts the capacity to connect meaningfully with others. In this workshop, you’ll participate in paired and group exercises that use movement, touch, and co-regulation to re-establish trust and intimacy in relationships. By engaging in non-verbal communication through the body, you will explore how to deepen your relational connections, restore emotional balance, and heal relational ruptures.
- Restoring Safety in Relationships: One of the key components of trauma healing is the ability to feel safe—both within the body and in connection with others. This workshop will teach you techniques to cultivate safety in your relationships, whether personal or professional. From establishing healthy boundaries to co-regulation through rhythm and vocalisation, you’ll gain tools to foster a sense of emotional safety and trust.
- Practical Tools for Personal and Professional Use: Whether you are a therapist, trauma professional, healer, or someone looking to improve your personal relationships, this workshop offers practical, hands-on tools that you can apply immediately. From somatic grounding techniques to methods for emotional regulation and relational repair, you will leave with a toolkit of strategies to support both your own healing and that of others.
Learning objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- A deep understanding of how trauma impacts the brain, body, and relationships.
- Somatic techniques to release trauma held in the body and restore emotional regulation.
- Practical tools to rebuild trust, intimacy, and connection in your personal and professional relationships.
- Skills to foster safety and attunement in relational dynamics, particularly for trauma survivors.
- Experiential learning through interactive exercises that promote healing through movement, touch, and voice.
Secure Your Place Today with Bessel & Licia
Join an immersive half-day session led by experts Bessel and Licia, who bring together deep trauma science and profound somatic practices. This workshop will guide you on a journey to reconnect with your body, emotions, and relationships, helping you heal both body and mind while developing tools for restoring relational wellbeing.
Ideal for trauma professionals, individuals in recovery, caregivers, wellness practitioners, and anyone interested in body-based approaches to trauma recovery and relationship building, this workshop offers comprehensive insights and practical tools you can apply immediately.
Connect with like-minded individuals, enrich your understanding of the mind’s inner workings, and gain transformative perspectives to enhance your approach to mental health and healing.
- Gain practical tools to enhance your practices
- Expand your knowledge on trauma, addiction, and relational healing through immersive learning
- Opportunity to meet and network with like-minded peers and experts
