Trauma Informed Practice Conference

The Trauma Informed Practice Conference is a dynamic event that brings together professionals, educators, students, and experts in the field. This one-day event will take place on Friday, May 17th, 2024 at TUS Midwest, V94 EC5T in Limerick. Our lineup of speakers will inspire you with their knowledge and experience, providing valuable takeaways for your professional growth.

The morning session will feature expert guest speakers Suzanne Zeedyk, Brian Pennie, Kelly Pratt, and Siobhan Greene. The afternoon will feature breakout room sessions with many more speakers and contributors on the day. Topics include:

• Trauma in the Body

• Mental Health

• Working with Young People

• Developmental Trauma

• Chronic/Complex Trauma

• Trauma Informed Organisations

This conference is FREE to attend. Early booking is recommended as tickets will be in high demand. This is a 1 x day event and lunch will be provided. CPD points are available. Certificate for attendance.

Who is this conference recommended for?

• Social Workers

• Social Care Workers

• Academics

• Practice Educators

• Students

Guest Speakers

Dr Suzanne Zeedyk is a research scientist fascinated by babies’ innate capacity to communicate. Since 1993, she has been based at the University of Dundee, Scotland, within the School of Psychology, where she now holds an honorary post. In 2011, she stepped away from full-time academic work in order to set up her own independent training enterprise to disseminate what she calls the Science of Connection. Humans beings are born connected, and as a species we have a physiological need for emotional connection in order to lead happy, healthy lives. Suzanne thought the public deserved to understand the science that gives depth to these insights. In 2014, she expanded her reach by founding the organisation connected baby, which enabled her team to create events and resources that support her message.

We estimate that, in the past 10 years, well over 100,000 people have heard her speak live, and many more have watched videos or read her books and blogs. Suzanne brings to her work her awareness of the latest discoveries on infant communicative capacities and brain development, as well as her own research expertise on parent-infant relationships and the socio-political contexts within which scientific information emerges.

Suzanne now works closely with organisations throughout the world, holding on to the same goal with which she set out: We need to increase awareness of the decisions we take about caring for children, because they are integrally connected to our vision for the kind of society we wish to build. www.suzannezeedyk.com .

Dr Brian Pennie is a former heroin addict turned doctor who's on a mission to show people that change is possible. Since embracing his second chance at life in 2013, he has become a doctor of neuroscience and psychology, a lecturer at the top two universities in Ireland, an executive coach to some of Ireland's most influential leaders, and a consultant to some of the world's largest organisations. He is also a keynote speaker, best-selling author, founder and CEO of Change is Possible, where he has reached millions of people with his online content at www.brianpennie.com.

Kelly Pratt, MSW, LICSW, is a Professor of Practice at Simmons University of Social Work, where she also serves as the curriculum director for the Institute for Trauma Treatment in Schools. Kelly has worked clinically with child and adult survivors of chronic/complex trauma in individual and family therapy for more than 20 years. She has worked in a variety of settings, including hospitals, forensic sexual abuse evaluation clinics, community mental health agencies, and residential programs. Kelly currently works clinically with children, adolescents, and families whose lives have been impacted by trauma and provides local, national and international training on the impact of trauma across the lifespan. Kelly has a particular interest in dissociating coping and complex adaptations to trauma and draws from psychological, feminist relational, and somatic body-based interventions.

Siobhan Greene has been Director of Children’s Services (DOCS) in Barnardos in Ireland since October 2018. She has worked in Barnardos since 2002, in a variety of roles including practice management, quality assurance, design of services and practice support systems, and strategic leadership internally and externally. Siobhan is currently leading Barnardos in becoming a Trauma Specialist Organisation with a focus supporting children and adults overcome the impact of childhood trauma.

Barnardos’ mission is to deliver services and work with families, communities, and our partners to transform the lives of vulnerable children who are affected by adverse childhood experiences. Barnardos works directly with vulnerable children and families in 54 service locations across Ireland. Because childhood lasts a lifetime.