Polyvagal Theory and Autonomics
Reducing the Risk of Additional Harm
Essential Skills for First Responders
Thursday 3 April 2025
9am - 12noon
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:
Understand how we’re wired for survival
Learn techniques to regulate autonomic responses to unexpected events
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
We will outline:
Date and Time
This 3-hour interactive workshop will be held on:
Thursday 3 April, 9am - 12noon.
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
Earlybird: $220 incl GST, per person (ends 12 March)
Standard: $268 incl GST, per person
Payment in full is required before commencement of the training.
Who should attend?
?
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 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 an Award Winning Neuroscience based Coach and a Trainer, a Mindfulness Facilitator, a Map of Meaning facilitator and a Master Trainer of Coaches in Multiple Intelligences.
She is also trained in 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 and Refocussing Counselling. Suzanne works as a Neuroscience Based Coach and Counsellor, integrating her skills and working in an integrated, systemic and embodied way.
She has authored numerous books, book chapters, magazine articles and writes regularly for Great Health Guide, Worldwide Coaching Magazine and Rapport. In October 2024, she contributed to the Amazon Best Seller ‘Courage’. Suzanne brings a down to earth, practical and pragmatic approach (along with a sense of humour!) to share her ongoing learning, her workshops are highly evaluated and in 2022 she was one of three finalists in a Global Award for Education and Training through ANLP and in both 2023 and 2024 she was named the Best Neuroscience Based Coach in NZ, by two different awarding bodies.
CONTACT FEONA
For further details, please contact:
e: feona@grow.co.nz
p: 027 204 0425
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83a Waghorne Street
Ahuriri
Napier 4110
e: info@grow.co.nz
p: 021 751 932
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