Polyvagal Theory and Autonomics
Reducing the Risk of Additional Harm

Essential Skills for First Responders

Friday 19 September 2025
9am - 1pm
Online workshop

“Your Autonomic Nervous System is the biological system
with the strongest shaping force over our moment-to-moment experience of wellbeing”

Natureza Gabriel, 2025

As a first responder, you arrive on scene with little warning—and must be ready to handle whatever unfolds in front of you.

Stress is almost certain.
Fear is often present.
And amid the chaos, you must regulate not only your own nervous system—but also support those you're there to help.

Understanding how the human nervous system responds to threat, and how to adapt and change your own autonomic responses in real time, is critical to the wellbeing of everyone involved.

The way you respond in those crucial moments can shape whether an experience becomes traumatic—or whether it’s safely processed and resolved by the body.

We will explore Polyvagal Theory, Autonomic Spacing and the new field of Autonomics, to offer an up to date and comprehensive approach to working with the nervous system.

This workshop introduces practical models of the Autonomic Nervous System to help you:

  1. Understand how we’re wired for survival

  2. Learn techniques to regulate autonomic responses to unexpected events

  3. Optimise the health and resilience of both yourself and those you serve as any incident unfolds. 


We will explore Polyvagal Theory, Autonomic Spacing, and the emerging field of Autonomics—providing a clear, current, and comprehensive approach to working with the nervous system in high-stakes situations.

Learning Outcomes

This workshop introduces practical models of the Autonomic Nervous System to help you:

  1. Understand how we’re wired for survival

  2. Learn techniques to regulate autonomic responses to unexpected events

  3. Optimise the health and resilience of both yourself and those you serve as any incident unfolds. 

Date and Time

This 4-hour interactive workshop will be held on:

Friday 19 September, 9am - 1pm.
You will be sent the details to access ZOOM, 1 week prior to the workshop.

This is an interactive workshop with breakout room activities and we therefore ask all participants to have their own computer / laptop as this enhances the learning for all.

Price

Early Bird: $250 per person, incl GST (Book before 27 August 2025)
Standard Rate: $330 per person incl GST

Payment in full is required before commencement of the training.

Who should attend?

This workshop is for all First Responders - that could be Police, Ambulance Services/Paramedics, Fire and Emergency, Air Ambulance and Rescue Helicopter Services, Search and Rescue Volunteers (Land Search and Rescue/Coastguard/Surf Life Saving), Mental Health Crisis Teams, Civil Defence Emergency Management and Hospital Emergency Departments.

NOTE - If your organisation is interested in having Suzanne present face-face to your team as a private workshop, please contact feona@grow.co.nz for more information.

Registration and Cancellation Details

Registration process
Payment online is by debit or credit card (VISA, Mastercard or American Express) only and there are 3 easy steps to complete the online booking process.  
Our registration platform is hosted by Lil Regie, our NZ based booking agent. Upon completing your registration by hitting the blue 'Confirm Booking' button, you will receive an automated email from Lil Regie confirming the booking and amount paid by credit card. This will appear on your statement as from LIL REGIE LTD WELLINGTON.  A GST Tax Invoice showing your payment in full will also be emailed to you.

We work hard to ensure that all workshops are cost effective by automating our systems. If you require an invoice (rather than paying by credit card) there will be a $25 surcharge for this service, and you will need to supply:

  • The full name and postal address required to appear on the invoice.

  • The contact name and email of the person(s) responsible for authorising this expense and approving payment.

  • Any purchase order references required on vendor invoices.

If you would like to reserve a place, as our workshops fill quickly, or have any issues or questions about your booking, please contact Feona Horrex on 0272040425 or email: feona@grow.co.nz

What happens if you have to cancel?
We know that sometimes your plans can change for many different reasons. Should you be unable to attend, a substitute delegate is welcome to attend at no extra cost. If a substitute delegate is not available and you need to cancel your registration, please be aware of the following:
Up to 7 days prior to the event you will be provided a refund of your registration cost, less a $20.00 inc GST per attendee service charge.
If you cancel within 7 days of the event, you are not eligible to receive a refund. Please note: should your registration not be paid by the time of the event, you are still liable to make the payment. Unpaid accounts may be passed over to our debt collection agency and additional costs may be incurred. 
All cancellations must be received in writing (email). 
Training is cancellable by GROW with 7 days’ notice if a minimum number of attendees is not met and full refunds will be provided.
Please note: GROW Ltd reserves the right to make any amendments that we may deem to be in the best interest of the workshop – it is however very unlikely and we will notify you as soon as possible should this occur.
For more information see our full Terms of Trade.

Meet Dr Suzanne Henwood

Suzanne is a trailblazing coach, mentor, supervisor and trainer and a nervous system specialist who helps strong individuals — especially those who’ve been knocked down by life or others — to rise, reset, and reclaim their power with a fusion of intellect and deep body-knowing. With a deeply compassionate approach that blends neuroscience, psychoeducation, and embodied wisdom, she offers unconditional support and practical tools to help people understand how they’re wired and how to rewire for growth, resilience, and vitality.

Suzanne started her working life in healthcare – moving from being a practitioner in Diagnostic Imaging, to educator and to Associate Professor. She has 30+ years’ experience of teaching and training at an advanced level and is a multi-Award Winning Neuroscience based Coach and Trainer.

·  In 2022 she was one of 3 finalists in a Global Award for Education and Training (ANLP)
·  Best Neuroscience Based Coaching Provider in NZ - 2023 (Corporate Vision Magazine)
·  Best Neuroscience Coaching Provider – NZ 2024 (Global Business Insight Awards)
·  Global Leader in Neuroscience Based Coaching services 2024 - Client Services Excellence Award (Corporate Vision)
·  Leadership Development Consultancy of the Year in the Corporate 2025 (LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards)

She is trained in a range of techniques including: mBraining2.0, NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), Mindfulness, Polyvagal Informed Therapy, ACT, Havening, Heartmath, IDT (Interactive Drawing Therapy), Time Line Therapy,  Existential Coaching, Map of Meaning, The Emotional Culture Deck, Solution Focused Brief Therapy for severe stress and anxiety, Rapid Results Coaching, Neurocoaching, Trauma Informed Coaching and Refocussing Counselling. 

In 2025 she rebranded her company as bwise Coaching Academy, offering a new level of Coaching Certification that is wisdom focused, integrated, systemic and embodied.

She has authored numerous books, book chapters, magazine articles and has written regularly for Great Health Guide, Worldwide Coaching Magazine and Rapport.  Her latest book: Coaching Reimagined: Expanding Human Potential – was her third book to reach best seller status.

Suzanne has worked for many years with Grow and her workshops are highly evaluated, she also works as a trainer with the NZ Coaching and Mentoring Center. 

CONTACT FEONA


For further details, please contact:
e: feona@grow.co.nz
p: 027 204 0425

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