Educational Talks & Workshops

 

Making sense of the nervous system

 

Why do we sometimes react so strongly when we know we are safe? Why can anxiety or panic seem to come from nowhere? And why do some people fight or flee, while others freeze, shut down or disconnect?

 

I offer accessible, engaging talks and workshops that help people understand the body's response to stress, overwhelm and trauma — and what can help.

 

My aim is to make complex ideas about the brain, body and nervous system understandable, relevant and useful in everyday life.

 

Understanding rather than pathologising

 

Fight, flight, freeze, shutdown and dissociation are protective responses of the nervous system.

 

Difficulties can arise when that system becomes overwhelmed, or when responses that were once protective continue long after they are needed.

 

Understanding this can shift the question from “What's wrong with me?” to “What is my nervous system trying to do?"

 

Talks & Workshops

 

Topics can include:

 

Fight, Flight & Freeze

Understanding the survival nervous system and what happens when it remains activated or moves into shutdown.

 

Panic & Overwhelm

What is happening in the body during a surge of activation — and why simply trying to “calm down” isn't always enough.

 

Freeze, Shutdown & Dissociation

Exploring why an overwhelmed nervous system can become still, disconnected or numb — even while someone continues to function.

 

Developmental Trauma & the Nervous System

How early experiences can influence our responses to relationships, conflict, uncertainty and stress later in life.

 

An experiential approach

 

My talks are more than lectures. Where appropriate, I introduce simple, optional ways of noticing the nervous system in real time, through orienting, sensation and awareness. There is no expectation to share personal experiences, or even to be able to feel what is happening in the body. Sometimes noticing very little is useful information in itself.

 

Who are the talks for?

 

Talks can be adapted for parents and carers, schools, charities, community and support groups, health and wellbeing professionals, workplaces and organisations interested in trauma-informed practice. No previous knowledge is needed.

 

Keeping these talks accessible

 

I currently offer these educational talks free of charge as part of my commitment to making an understanding of the nervous system more widely available.

 

Invite Laura to Speak

 

Talks are typically around 90 minutes, including questions, and can be adapted to suit the audience. If you would like me to speak to your organisation, group, school, charity or professional team, please get in touch.

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