Integrative Approaches to Affect Dysregulation in Refugee Trauma
12 November 2025 | 3.30-5pm AEDT | Free webinar | → Register Now!
Refugee trauma can profoundly disrupt the nervous system’s ability to regulate emotions, creating intense feelings, hyperarousal, somatic distress, and difficulties managing stress. This free Clinical Master Class will explore how clinicians can support survivors in navigating the storm of affect dysregulation through integrative, trauma-informed, and skills-based approaches that foster stability, recovery, and resilience.
LEARN FROM LEADING EXPERTS IN REFUGEE TRAUMA AND INTEGRATIVE CARE
Join Alexandra Wilson, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) and Director of Mindful Recovery Services and the Central Coast DBT Centre, and Demiana Willing, Registered Psychologist and STARTTS Neurofeedback Counsellor, as they share clinical frameworks, practical strategies, and case insights into supporting refugee clients living with the emotional and physiological impacts of complex trauma.
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN
✅ A clear understanding of how refugee trauma disrupts affect regulation across the biopsychosocial system.
✅ Insights into hyperarousal, emotional overwhelm, and somatic symptoms as survival adaptations rather than weaknesses.
✅ Practical strategies drawing from DBT, neurofeedback, and other integrative therapies to strengthen emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
✅ A detailed case study demonstrating the use of neurofeedback within a multimodal treatment approach for a young Syrian refugee.
✅ Tools for reframing problem behaviours as functional attempts at regulation, reducing shame, and empowering clients.
✅ An exploration of the role of validation, therapeutic relationships, and stigma reduction in fostering resilience.
✅ Direct engagement with the presenters in a live Q&A panel moderated by Jorge Aroche, STARTTS CEO and Clinical Psychologist.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This webinar is ideal for:
- Mental health professionals including psychologists, counsellors, and social workers
- Trauma specialists and community mental health practitioners
- Clinicians working with refugee and asylum seeker clients
- Professionals supporting children, adolescents, and families affected by complex trauma
- Anyone interested in integrative and neurobiologically informed approaches to emotion regulation in trauma recovery
Alexandra Wilson
Alexandra Wilson (Alex) is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) and Director of Mindful Recovery Services and the Central Coast DBT Centre. She is recognised for her leadership in establishing Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) on the Central Coast and her expertise in supporting people with complex and high-risk presentations, including borderline personality disorder, self-harm, suicidality, and complex trauma. Alex began her career in emergency and intensive care before moving into acute community mental health at Royal North Shore Hospital, where she helped establish the first DBT program and later worked as Senior Social Worker in the inpatient psychiatric unit. Since founding Mindful Recovery Services in 2011, she has combined clinical practice, supervision, and training with advocacy to reduce stigma.
Demiana Willing
Demiana Willing is a Registered Psychologist and AHPRA-approved supervisor who has worked at STARTTS since 2014. She is currently a Child and Adolescent Specialist with the Neurofeedback Team. Demiana began her career at the Child Protection Counselling Service, supporting young people with developmental trauma, before moving to STARTTS to focus on children and adolescents from refugee backgrounds. Over time, she developed a strong interest in the role of Neurofeedback alongside other therapeutic modalities and recently achieved accreditation through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). Guided by a passion for attachment theory and nervous system development, Demiana integrates Neurofeedback with evidence-based approaches to support healing and recovery.
Jorge Aroche
Jorge Aroche is a clinical psychologist and STARTTS’ Chief Executive Officer. Jorge was born in Uruguay and has worked with migrants and refugee survivors of torture and organized violence since before 1989, when he joined STARTTS. He has led the organization since March 1997, through some of the most challenging times for refugee services in Australia, helping STARTTS grow from a dozen staff to more than 200, assuming a truly state-wide role and becoming a world leader in this field in the process, while continuing to learn from its clients, its culturally diverse staff and the latest scientific advances. Jorge has also held a number of honorary positions in international humanitarian organizations, Australia government advisory bodies and NGO boards. He was the President of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) from 2016 until November 2020.
FORMAT AND INCLUSIONS
Online delivery
Presented by experts in the refugee trauma field
Includes real-life scenarios, practical tips and a Q&A panel
Claim 1.5 CPD points
Receive a certificate of completion and a PDF of the presentation slides
Free access to the webinar recording
SECURE YOUR PLACE NOW
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with timely, evidence-based research and contribute to the growing field of trauma-informed refugee support.
Register now to attend the 12 November 2025 webinar
CAN’T ATTEND LIVE?
A full recording of the webinar will be made available to all registered participants after the event. Register now to ensure you receive access to the on-demand replay and watch at your convenience. The full catalogue of recorded webinars is available here.
CONTACT US
stts-training@health.nsw.gov.au
(02) 9646 6700 Ask for the Training Administration Officer