Welcome to Blue Knot Day and Your Festival of Healing

Blue Knot Foundation president Dr Cathy Kezelman AM gives a warm welcome and a short outline of the day. She speaks of Blue Knot's vital role in raising awareness and understanding around complex trauma. As more than 1 in 4 adult Australians are living with the impacts of complex trauma, chances are that either you or someone you know will need support on their journey of healing and recovery. We are here to help. View here

Morning meditation with Natascha

This meditation practice is intended to help you orient and ground yourself. It invites you to settle into the space you’re in, and welcome yourself to the present moment. 
You can practice this grounding meditation sitting or lying down in any way you like. Feel free to experiment with how you can make this practice work best for you, and remember you can always choose to pause or stop the video at any time. View here

Towards recovery for adults who have experienced childhood trauma

This video has been developed for people who have experienced childhood trauma by survivors, and people who support them personally and professionally on their healing journey.

Please note that this video includes references to ASCA.  Blue Knot Foundation was previously called ASCA, including when this video was made. View here

Grounding exercise for you

When we are feeling unsafe in our bodies, we can become hypo-aroused or hyper-aroused. Grounding techniques can be one way of returning to the present moment and re-connecting with our body in a safe way by bringing ourselves back inside our ‘window of tolerance”. There are many different techniques which can include greater movement, breathing and re-orienting. In today’s video Natashca will take us through a seated grounding exercise. If at any stage this does not feel comfortable for you please take a break. View here

Blue Knot Helpline - Panel discussion and Q&A

Have you considered calling our Blue Knot Helpline, but were not sure what would happen when you called? Or how the service could support you on your healing and recovery journey? Meet a panel of representatives of our Helpline leadership counselling team, hear about the work they do and how the service could support you as they answer your questions. View here

Inspiring stories and other reflections

Everyone's journey of healing and recovery is different. Lloyd shares his personal reflections about his journey, its ups and downs, and some of the steps he took to find the support he needed. We also hear reflections from other survivors about the process of healing and recovery, and the importance of holding hope. View here

Musical interlude and messages from our Ambassadors - Rida Aleem Khan, Rose Parker and Jane Caro

Blue Knot Foundation is privileged to have the wonderful support of a number of Ambassadors. Today we will hear from three of them. Firstly Jane Caro is a well known social commentator and writer. Next Rida Aleem Khan brings us a very important multicultural perspective and reflections on cultural healing. And finally Rose Parker shares her healing messages alongside her musical expression and inspiration for healing to take us into the afternoon. View here

National Counselling and Referral Service (Disability) - Panel discussion and Q&A

National Counselling and Referral Service (Disability) supports people with disability (and those who support them) who have experienced abuse, neglect, violence or exploitation. In this panel discussion Neta, Lyndsey and Cathy talk about this essential service including how it supports people affected by the Disability Royal Commission. View here

National Redress Scheme - How Blue Knot Foundation can help

Did you know that Blue Knot Foundation supports people who have experiences of institutional child sexual abuse? We can support you when you are deciding whether to apply to the National Redress Scheme as well as right through the application and outcome process. Our counsellors explain how they can support you to navigate your way through all stages of the process. You can call our Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service to find out more. View here

 Practice Guidelines - understanding Blue Knot’s different publications and guidelines

** Trigger Warning ** This video speaks to experiences of childhood abuse and trauma and their impacts. Blue Knot Foundation has developed a number of publications and guidelines for the general public, practitioners, organisations and their staff. These include trauma-informed and clinical guidelines. Cathy Kezelman, President interviews Pam Stavropoulos, Head of Research to help explain their purpose and evolution. This is followed by a first-hand account from Scarlett who talks about her challenges and process of healing from the trauma she experienced as a child, and Diane who celebrates the launch of the 2019 Clinical Guidelines, highlighting their importance in supporting survivor recovery. View here

Rose Parker and the Holy Smoke

Join Rose Parker and the ladies from The Holy Smoke as they perform My Mama and Deeper Water. View here

Creative self-regulation - how creativity can assist healing

When we consciously and deliberately engage in practices that produce physical calmness, we signal the limbic brain that we are safe at a physiological level. The use of expressive arts has been used throughout history as a way to non-verbally express ourselves. It engages the right brain and taps into the creative parts of ourselves that are key to healing. Join Jane Daisley Snow as she takes us through two easy art exercises to use at home to relax and engage the body to release tension.  View here

How can family and friends support survivors on their recovery journey? Part 1

Do you have a friend or family member who is a survivor of complex trauma and you're unsure of how to support them? This video provides insights into how to support your loved ones on their journey of healing and recovery, and how to look after yourself in the process. View here

How can family and friends support survivors on their recovery journey? Part 2

Do you have a friend or family member who is a survivor of complex trauma and you're unsure of how to support them? This video features a panel discussion around the risks of retraumatising people with trauma experiences, including the challenges around triggers for survivors of complex trauma. View here

Evening meditation with Natascha

As we come to the end of Your Festival of Healing, Natascha takes us through an evening guided meditation to close.
This meditation invites you to explore what it means to find a sense of grounding for you. Everybody experiences grounding and meditation differently, and there is no “right” or “wrong.” 
You can use curiosity to explore different ways of grounding, to find a little more ease. Be as gentle and kind with yourself as you can, and know that you can always choose to pause or stop the video. View here

Closing remarks and thank you

Thank you for joining us for Blue Knot Day and Your Festival of Healing. Tamara our National Training and Services Manager reflects on the day and provides insight into a few of our webinar training offerings. View here

Breaking Free is Blue Knot Foundation's monthly eNewsletter for adult survivors of complex trauma, their supporters and community members. For feedback or to contribute, please email newsletter@blueknot.org.au

Do you know anyone who might be interested in receiving Breaking Free? Our monthly eNews is available free of charge via email and online. Subscribe at blueknot.org.au/friend