Live Webinars

Prof Melanie Turner

Wednesday, 23rd July, 2025

6.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m AEST

In this clinically focused session, Prof Turner will clarify key definitions and distinctions around suicide and acute suicidal states, and explore leading theoretical models and contemporary understandings of suicidal behaviour. Participants will be introduced to core risk and protective factors, and practical intervention strategies, including the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP). The webinar will also examine crisis intervention models, with a focus on Single Session Therapies for individuals in acute distress. Designed for therapists, social workers, and other mental health professionals, this session will blend research evidence, clinical insight, and practical tools to support timely, effective responses in acute situations. 

Dr Kris Rao

Thursday, 24th July, 2025

6.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m AEST

Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) remains one of the most misunderstood and underreported forms of abuse. This webinar provides a research-informed overview of the extent, nature, and psychological dynamics of CSA, highlighting the unique challenges in measuring its prevalence and addressing its impact. Participants will explore why global statistics are difficult to gather and how cultural and systemic denial, minimization, and stereotyping contribute to ongoing misconceptions. Drawing on recent studies, the session examines key concepts such as the Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome (CSAAS), which explains how children respond to abuse through patterns of helplessness, entrapment, and accommodation. We will also explore the complex processes of disclosure, recantation, and the child’s coping strategies, as well as the profound psychological and medical consequences that can follow. This webinar is essential for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of CSA through the lens of current research and clinical insights.

Dr Kris Rao

Wednesday, 6th August 2025

6.30 p.m to 8.00 p.m AEST

No clinician sets out to face legal trouble—but even the most well-meaning professionals can find themselves on the receiving end of a complaint, subpoena, or claim of malpractice. Whether it’s a data breach, an error in mandatory reporting, or a misunderstanding that escalates, these challenges often arrive unannounced and can have serious personal, professional, and financial consequences. Managing Legal and Ethical Risks in Professional Practice offers a practical and accessible guide to identifying and minimizing legal vulnerability in therapeutic work. Drawing from real-world cases, this webinar unpacks the legal definitions of negligence, unprofessional conduct, and reasonable care. It demystifies the process of responding to complaints and subpoenas and clarifies the roles of regulatory bodies, insurance providers, and the courts. Most importantly, it equips you with proactive strategies for clinical risk management that support both ethical practice and peace of mind. Designed for therapists, and other allied health professionals, this session will help you build protective frameworks into your everyday operations—so you can keep your focus where it belongs: on helping your clients.

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Dr Kevin Keith

Wednesday, 13th August, 2025

6.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m AEST

The webinar looks at supervision work with more experienced supervisees—in contrast to more novice practitioners. At this stage, supervision might be envisioned as a conversation. How might we best develop and maintain a collaborative supervisory relationship? This first in a multiple-session series addresses three relevant specific practical themes regarding supervision.

(1) What contributes to an optimal supervision relationship? Included here is a review of both accepted principles of supervision and a granular look at the Short Version of the Supervisory Relationship Questionnaire. Research insights will also be included in the discussion. (2) How might a supervisor support a supervisee who possesses deeper knowledge of a preferred modality? Central here is the need for supervisors to be open to learning new aspects of therapeutic process with and from their supervisees. Two aspects of supervision would seem relevant: (a) experience and sharing of power in supervision, and (b) supervisors experience of their own limits—tolerance for uncertainty in therapy. (3) Finally, an exploration of Weitz (2020) practical, logistical and complex perspectives, asks what exactly are online supervision and supervision online? And why might those differences matter for our supervision practices? After a review of the notion of digital psychotherapy, a range of anticipated and less anticipated questions are engaged. These include (a) technological competence, (b) security, confidentiality, and possible breaches, (c) international & insurance risks and (d) online boundaries and platforms.

Dr Kris Rao

Wednesday, 27th August, 2025

6.30 p.m to 7.30 p.m AEST

This webinar look at the technological and theoretical shifts redefining mental health care. As digital tools become increasingly integrated into clinical practice, this session will explore how artificial intelligence, mental health apps, and emerging modalities like Avatar Therapy are reshaping therapeutic relationships, treatment delivery, and client engagement. We will also review Norcross et al.’s influential Delphi poll (2021_ forecasting the future of psychotherapy in the United States, providing insight into anticipated trends in theory, training, and service provision.

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Prof Richard Kluft

Saturday, 6th September, 2025

09.00 a.m to 11.00 a.m AEST

The presence and activities of diverse organized centers of experience, identity, initiative, and executive control characterize the mental functioning and lives of individuals diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder and allied complex, chronic dissociative conditions. Working with these dissociated self-states (i.e., alters, identities) is a central concern in their psychotherapeutic treatments. This presentation reviews the emergence of the current “new classical” picture of these disorders, a model that superseded earlier depictions and stereotypes, and explores the implications of this revised understanding. It  discusses alters, alter systems and system “rules,” and how the inner worlds of dissociative patients impact overt behaviors from behind the scenes, expressing the thoughts and initiatives of alters ostensibly not exerting executive control. It describes “invitational inclusionism,” a therapeutic stance that embraces all alters and invites them to become stakeholders in the success of the treatment, and outlines the types of interventions (applicable within most psychotherapeutic paradigms) that follow naturally from its premises. It discusses and demonstrates how phenomena long thought to indicate psychosis can be understood as markers of the activities of alters not currently in executive control, and become powerful tools for working across dissociative barriers, often even when these barriers have been powerful and deeply entrenched. Finally, it explores the concept and process of integration.

Dr Lynda Chassler

Saturday, 20th September, 2025

09.00 a.m to 11.00 a.m AEST

Donald Winnicott is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential figures in the history of psychotherapy. Trained initially as a pediatrician before becoming a psychoanalyst, Winnicott brought a distinctive perspective to psychoanalytic theory by conceptualizing the analytic relationship as analogous to the early mother-infant bond. Diverging from the views of Melanie Klein, he placed particular emphasis on the role of the mother in providing a sufficiently reliable and responsive environment to support the infant’s growth and development. Winnicott’s contributions have had a lasting impact on clinical practice and theory, with many of his key concepts—such as primary maternal preoccupation, the holding environment, the good-enough mother, transitional objects and space, the true and false self, spontaneous gesture, the role of play, and the fear of breakdown—now part of the everyday vocabulary of psychotherapy.

In this webinar series, we will explore Winnicott’s theory of maturational processes and examine how disruptions in early developmental contexts contribute to the emergence of psychopathology.

Session One (20.09.25): Foundations of the Self: Winnicott’s Maternal-Environment and the Therapeutic Relationship

This session will explore Winnicott’s concept of the “maternal-environment-individual set-up” as the foundational context for early psychological development. Emphasizing the infant dependence on the mother as the central developmental axis, we will examine how “good-enough” maternal care fosters the infant’s emerging sense of “going on being” (continuity), integration, personalization, and realization. The discussion will also consider how these early relational experiences shape the development of a cohesive and differentiated sense of self, and how their echoes may surface within the therapeutic relationship.

Dr Paul Marin

Saturday, 27th September, 2025

11.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m AEST

This webinar explores the application of narrative therapy in grief work, focusing on how clients can reconstruct identity and meaning following significant loss. Presented by Dr. Paul M. Martin, the session will examine how bereavement can disrupt core aspects of self and personal narrative. Drawing on contemporary research in personality psychology, the webinar will also highlight how individual differences—particularly traits such as neuroticism, conscientiousness, and other dimensions of the Big Five—can influence the grieving process. Through clinical illustrations and interactive techniques, participants will learn how to support clients in re-authoring their narratives to foster resilience, growth, and renewed purpose. Attendees will leave with practical tools to help clients navigate identity shifts and engage in adaptive meaning-making in the aftermath of grief.

Dr Kris Rao

Tuesday, 29th September, 2025

06.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m AEST

Transference is a cornerstone of psychodynamic psychotherapy and a crucial element of all therapeutic relationships. Originally conceptualized by Freud as a force that “dominates the whole of each person’s relations to his human environment,” transference is now understood as the client’s process of making meaning of interactions with the therapist based on early relational templates. It reflects defensive operations, unmet developmental needs, and unconscious patterns of attachment and emotion regulation.

This webinar explores the clinical significance of transference, its various forms and dimensions, and practical methods for recognizing and working with it in therapy. Using clinical examples and a trauma-informed lens, we will consider how transference becomes a live enactment of the client’s psychological world—and a vital entry point for therapeutic change.

Dr Kevin Keith

Wednesday, 8th October, 2025

6.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m AEST

Domestic/family violence is often complex: the intersection of multiple lives, histories and contexts. But it is also damaging, indeed lethal in cases! When it comes to prevention and intervention, heterogeneity such as, multiple individual personality and risk factors, lifespan considerations, social cultural and contextual influences’ presents formidable challenges. Studies have shown that key attachment dynamics and other developmental antecedents are helpful for understanding typical profiles for both victims and perpetrators. One of three webinars on attachment and Intimate partner violence, it seeks to identify attachment and other antecedents that make up individual pathways to adult intimate and interpersonal violence. The webinar will look at predisposing developmental pathways, attachment styles, history of abuse and personality struggles for both victims as well as perpetrators. Where available 2025 research on stats on prevalence, prevention, and interventions will be included. The webinar concludes with a brief survey of the therapeutic recommendations for working with victims and perpetrators, as well as a general Q&A.

Dr Christine Courtois

Saturday, 11th October, 2025

11.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m AEST

Complex trauma is not just a clinical term—it reflects the deep and lasting impact of prolonged relational abuse, attachment disruptions, and other chronic traumatic experiences, often endured in circumstances of entrapment. The consequences are equally complex, extending far beyond the symptoms of classic PTSD to include disruptions across neurobiological, psychological, relational, somatic, and spiritual domains.

In this two-part webinar, internationally renowned trauma expert Dr Christine Courtois will draw on her decades of clinical and scholarly experience to guide participants through the evolving landscape of complex trauma treatment. Dr Courtois will begin by outlining the major aftereffects of complex trauma, with a focus on dissociation and neurobiology. She will also discuss the ICD’s freestanding diagnosis of Complex PTSD (CPTSD), comparing it to traditional PTSD and highlighting its implications for practice.

The webinar will examine recently developed Clinical Practice Guidelines for PTSD (from the APA, ISTSS, and U.S. Department of Defense/Veterans Affairs) and explore how their recommendations may—or may not—translate to work with complex trauma. Dr Courtois will then introduce newer Professional Practice Guidelines developed specifically for complex trauma and CPTSD by organizations such as the APA Division 56/ISSTD, and the UK CPTSD network. These guidelines are grounded in both empirical research and clinical wisdom, and reflect the preferences and lived experiences of trauma survivors themselves.

Drawing from the newly revised edition of her landmark 2009 book, Dr Courtois will present a comprehensive, integrative, and transtheoretical treatment model developed specifically for CPTSD and complex trauma.

Dr Kevin Keith

Wednesday, 22nd October, 2025

6.30 p.m to 8.00 p.m AEDT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a complex topic and not easily grasped. In addition, discussions may be disproportionately focussed on near apocalyptic scenarios where human freedom and survival may be at risk. Alternatively, proposals for the disappearance or replacement of human employment by AI has also gained notable attention—the very rich get even richer. What may be less known, is the current and indeed possible future take-up of applications of AI for Mental Health Care. However, ‘What is the current case’ of AI general development remains in dispute. This requires some degree of humility in gaining a ‘good enough’ understanding that may assist us in embracing AI innovations as mental health practitioners.

The brief webinar will address three topics: (1) What exactly is Artificial Intelligence? A brief survey of AI history, key technology matters and specific ongoing issues and ethical questions. (2) How is AI being employed across Mental Health Care? Included here is a focus on applications, outcome research and changes for client and practitioner experience. (3) How might AI impact our future professional lives? Projections about short- and long-term possibilities will be surveyed. Ethical questions will also be raised for both current and future matters regarding clients, practitioners and professional bodies.

Dr Lynda Chassler

Saturday, 1st November, 2025

09.00 a.m to 11:00 a.m AEDT

This session will explore Winnicott’s concept of transitional phenomena as the vital third area that bridges inner and outer reality, beginning in early infancy through the use of transitional objects. We will examine how this space supports the development of illusion, symbol use, and object relating, ultimately giving rise to play, creativity, and cultural experience. Emphasis will be placed on how transitional space fosters a sense of aliveness and authentic selfhood, and how, within the therapeutic relationship, the capacity to play becomes a transformative achievement that enables deeper self-discovery and psychological integration.

Dr Kevin Keith

Wednesday, 12th November 2025

6.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m AEDT

Recent investigations have begun to broaden our understanding of Intimate Partner Violence, providing a more robust view of possible subtypes. Research now suggests that in addition to the more predominant IPV based Intimate Terrorism, the field has been updated/complemented via addition of Coercive Control. Equally, Situational Couple Violence has begun to be identified in distinct previously unrecognised contexts. This has been driven in part by the emergence of violence constructions that do not fit within the dominant Duluth traditional nuclear family perspective. Violence within same sex relationships, male victimisation in heterosexual and bisexual relationships and the possibilities of more mutual symmetrical violence patterns have clouded the simpler view of the received Duluth position. The webinar will provide an important update and complement for work with a broader spectrum of Interpersonal Violence. Relevant research through 2025 will be included. Focus will also be given to the attachment dynamics at work. Finally, closer look will be given to treatment approaches for the more harmful forms of violence as well as Situational Couple Violence. Case vignettes will be explored, and the webinar will conclude with a Q&A session.

Dr Christine Courtois

Saturday, 15th November, 2025

10.00 a.m to 12.00 p.m AEDT

Complex trauma is not just a clinical term—it reflects the deep and lasting impact of prolonged relational abuse, attachment disruptions, and other chronic traumatic experiences, often endured in circumstances of entrapment. The consequences are equally complex, extending far beyond the symptoms of classic PTSD to include disruptions across neurobiological, psychological, relational, somatic, and spiritual domains.

In this two-part webinar, internationally renowned trauma expert Dr Christine Courtois will draw on her decades of clinical and scholarly experience to guide participants through the evolving landscape of complex trauma treatment. Dr Courtois will begin by outlining the major aftereffects of complex trauma, with a focus on dissociation and neurobiology. She will also discuss the ICD’s freestanding diagnosis of Complex PTSD (CPTSD), comparing it to traditional PTSD and highlighting its implications for practice.

The webinar will examine recently developed Clinical Practice Guidelines for PTSD (from the APA, ISTSS, and U.S. Department of Defense/Veterans Affairs) and explore how their recommendations may—or may not—translate to work with complex trauma. Dr Courtois will then introduce newer Professional Practice Guidelines developed specifically for complex trauma and CPTSD by organizations such as the APA Division 56/ISSTD, and the UK CPTSD network. These guidelines are grounded in both empirical research and clinical wisdom, and reflect the preferences and lived experiences of trauma survivors themselves.

Drawing from the newly revised edition of her landmark 2009 book, Dr Courtois will present a comprehensive, integrative, and transtheoretical treatment model developed specifically for CPTSD and complex trauma.

Prof Jennifer Freyd

Saturday, 22nd November, 2025

10.00 a.m to 11.30 a.m AEDT

Betrayal trauma occurs when someone is harmed by a person or institution they depend on for safety and trust—such as abuse by a caregiver or a failure of an organisation to respond supportively to disclosures. In this compelling webinar, renowned psychologist and researcher Prof Jennifer Freyd will delve into her pioneering work on interpersonal betrayal, institutional betrayal, and betrayal blindness—a survival mechanism where the betrayal is partially or wholly unseen, even by the person affected.

Dr Kris Rao

Wednesday, 26th November, 2025

6.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m AEDT

Our memory has no guarantees at all, and yet we bow more often than is objectively justified to the compulsion to believe what it says.” — Sigmund Freud

Our memory is not the most reliable recording keeping tool. Therapists have long relied on notes to track client progress and maintain continuity from session to session. Remembering previous sessions is a foundational demonstration of respect for our clients. However, recordkeeping is more than just a memory aid. Case notes and other records in therapy can help us track ongoing conceptualisations, make better decisions, keep our clients safe, and enable correct information sharing with other practitioners. Keeping requisite records is a requirement for all practitioners and agencies. And when diligently done, conscientious and accurate recordkeeping will shield us from legal risks and external scrutiny.

Dr Lynda Chassler

Saturday, 13th December, 2025

09.00 a.m to 11.00 a.m AEDT

This session will explore Winnicott’s view that psychopathology originates from a failure in the early caregiving environment. When a parent or caregiver does not provide sufficient support—what Winnicott called a “facilitating environment”—the infant is left vulnerable to overwhelming experiences, or “environmental impingements,” which interrupt the natural maturational process. As a result, the development of the self is impaired. Central to Winnicott’s theory are the concepts of primitive agonies or unthinkable anxieties—deep, pre-verbal fears that arise before the infant has the capacity to think or use language. These include feelings of falling forever, going to pieces, having no connection to the body, and lacking orientation. Such anxieties stem from the absence of reliable care and are often at the core of serious psychological disturbances, including trauma and psychosis.