Workshop descriptions

  • Workshop I: Understanding Sensory Trauma

    This class is focused on understanding what sensory trauma is, including how it happens, who is at risk, the most common effects, and case-study type examples. In addition to exploring how sensory trauma impacts neurodivergent people, this class ties the existence of sensory trauma to colonialism and cultural dissociation.

  • Workshop II: Preventing Sensory Trauma & Supporting Recovery

    This class is focused on exploring at least six different solutions to the problem of sensory trauma. These include immediately actionable steps for building sensory safety and for planning recovery as well as examples of sensory accommodations and hope for building a more sensory-friendly world in the future.

Sensory Trauma is one of the most common neurodivergent experiences.

I learned about sensory trauma when I was identified as Autistic.

At age 29, I started to understand differences in my experience of the world fit under the label Autism. The trait that stood out the most was intense sensory sensitivity, even before birth. 

In the 8 years since then, reducing and managing sensory trauma has become an ongoing psychospiritual practice. 

While current events continue to generate trauma at an incredible pace, supporting my nervous system to cope with sensory trauma is one of the things that reduces the overwhelm so that I can focus more on what matters to me. 

This mini workshop series is designed to help people make sense of sensory trauma and to inspire peer support and exchange of ideas around this common neurodivergent experience. 

Although this is an educational class, and not a trauma processing space, many students have reported transformational experiences from previous classes. 

This series is specifically focused on viewing the body as an ally. Our bodies don't hate us. They're on our side. 

Who is this for?

This set of two workshops is open to anyone who is interesting in learning about sensory trauma from a neurodiversity paradigm lens. 

Most past students fall into one or both of these categories. 

- People who are neurodivergent (or exploring the possibility of being neurodivergent) who want to better understand their own life experience and the experiences of their neurodivergent friends and family members. 

- Professionals who help neurodivergent clients. This includes therapists, coaches, teachers, counselors, social workers, somatic practitioners, massage therapists, and other types of helping professionals like teachers and community organizers. 

The information in this set of workshops is useful for nervous system beginners as well as for people who have a lot of nervous system education already and are looking to expand and/or contextualize that information. 

This work is rooted in the Neurodiversity Paradigm and blends the lived experience of the neurodivergent community with many references to the currently existing research about sensory trauma. A short optional reading list will be shared before the workshops. 

Pricing options

The cost of the full series is $144. If that amount is financially dificult, you can choose the sliding scale rate, no questions asked. If the reduced cost is inaccessible, please scroll down to the end of the page to find the scholarship application. Each paid spot in the course makes one free scholarship spot available for someone else.

FAQ

  • How long do we have access to the videos?

    Recordings are lifetime access. If we ever move away from Thinkific (this course platform), we'll upload the videos to YouTube and send you a private link to access them. You can also download recordings to keep permanently.

  • Is there a way to ask Janae questions about this series?

    Yes! Each of the two sessions will have at least 30 minutes of Q & A time after the presentation of information.

  • Would this course work for a high school student?

    Yes, but it's especially important for teens and young adults to have someone they trust to talk with about this info beyond the class setting.

  • Are there CEUs?

    Check with your supervisor! My in-person groups count for CEUs but online groups have varying requirements. If you need documentation, you can create a certificate for Janae to sign off on.

  • Can I buy the course as a gift for someone else?

    Yes! Gifting educational opportunities is a great way to support someone in your life. When you go to the checkout page, you can click the box next to "This is a Gift" and then add the recipients email address.

Facilitator / Teacher

Janae Elisabeth

Trauma Geek

Janae (they/she/he) is an information synthesizer who has been studying polyvagal theory and related nervous system models for 6+ years. Their specialty is tying together threads of information from many different fields to create a holistic understanding of the nervous system and neurodivergence. Janae has deeply studied these topics in an effort to understand herself better as an AuDHD PDAer with complex trauma. Since 2018, they have been teaching about trauma, the nervous system, and neurodiversity through local peer support circles and through the advocacy and education project, Trauma Geek. Past students in Janae's courses have reported transformational experiences including more self-love, more gentleness with themselves, more understanding of their own bodies, more acceptance of themselves, and more connection to community. For legal reasons, please note, Janae is not a counselor or therapist.