Level I: SP for the Treatment of Trauma

Candidates who wish to participate in the Training Program must complete an online application, which consists of a questionnaire and the requirement to upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV), as well as provide proof of one of the following:

• legally permitted in local state, province, or country to practice psychotherapy.
• Graduate-level student currently enrolled in a mental health discipline at an accredited college or university
• Post-graduate student actively engaged in the process of qualifying as a mental health professional legally authorized to practice

Applications are carefully reviewed for admission according to the following factors:

• Prerequisites

• Educational background

• Clinical and professional experience

• Reasons for attending

• Group dynamic

• Enrollment availability

Additional requirements or information may be requested from applicants, including an interview with a Trainer, references, legal documentation of licensure, or documentation of educational background or professional experience.

The tuition for Level I: SP for the Treatment of Trauma Hybrid In Person and Online is $ 5899 AUD Inc GST

Application of training requires a non-refundable fee of $25.00.

Level I training requires students to complete 3 hours of consultation with an SPI Approved Consultant or Consultant-in-Training.

Fees for the required consultation hours are paid independently outside of training tuition.

Once accepted, a deposit of $500.00 is due within 7 days to provisionally secure your place in the training.

Yes, SPA offers payment plans.

After your initial $500 deposit you can select a monthly payment plan for the remaining of your tuition balance.

All payment plans and full tuition payments must be submitted to SPA within 7 days of acceptance of your training place.

A one-time, non-refundable set up fee of $120 applies to all monthly payment plans, regardless of plan length.

Structure

Monthly payment plans for tuition are calculated after the minimum $500 deposit has been secured.

The remaining tuition balance is divided equally into a number of monthly payments.

Enrollees who wish to secure a monthly payment plan for their tuition balance can choose from a number of monthly plan options offered.

After an enrollee has selected a payment plan and linked their credit or debit card to their account, SPA will automatically deduct the monthly payment amount each month, for the duration of the payment plan, starting on the day the payment plan begins, continuing thereafter until the tuition balance is paid in full.

If the monthly payment is declined or rejected after 2 attempts a $50.00 admin fee will be charged.

Yes!

Tuition paid in full: $5464 AUD inc GST

For Payment Plans
Super early bird tuition: $5575 AUD Inc GST
*For applications received 180 days or more before training start date

Early bird tuition:$5663 AUD Inc GST
*For applications received 120-179 days before training start date

Regular pricing: $ 5899 AUD inc GST
*For applications less than 120 days before training start date

*Reminder: All applications incur a one time non refundable application fee of $25 AUD Inc GST

*Participants who enter into a payment plan are also charged a one time set up fee of $120 AUD Inc GST

Successful completion of level 1 training requires 3 hours of additional Case Consultation

The purpose of case consultation is to support students in applying the skills and techniques learned in the training to their own psychotherapy practice. Your Trainer will share more about the case consultation requirements. Meanwhile, here is a brief overview:

• Level 1 training requires 3 hours of case consultation with an SPI Approved Consultant.

• Case consultation is arranged independently between the student and the consultant to negotiate hours and fees.

• Click here for the List of SPI Approved Consultants.

• You may reach out to any consultant on the list and consider time zone, niche practices, populations, client goals, preference for in-person or online meetings, etc., when determining which consultant to work with.

• SPI Trainers can also provide consultation. Click here for the List of SPI Trainers.

Once we receive your completed application, it generally takes 7-10days to review and confirm.

You will be notified by email at that time. Note that a few applicants have reported that emails go to their spam folders, so please check your in-box before sending a follow-up email to prompt. Acceptance at SP trainings is at the discretion of the trainer and organiser.

SPA offers a limited number of spaces for training to ensure a supportive hands guidance in the training. Generally we take up to 30 students per training.

SP is a comprehensive and through therapeutic modality and level I covers a range of foundational information in relation to trauma.

Below is an overview of topics covered in the level I training

SP Foundations
Describe the four concepts that make up the SP Foundations: 6 guiding principles, non-pathologizing perspective, body as resource, and experimental attitude.

Theory and Maps
Explain the theoretical and therapeutic maps that underpin the SP method, including procedural learning through “bottom-up” therapy, the organization of experience, the five stages of the process, and a phase-oriented approach to treatment.

Trauma, Resourced States, and the Body
Identify examples of resiliency and resourced states along the SP Experience Continuum.

Container Stage
List and describe the seven tasks associated with the container stage of the process.

Tracking
Describe and demonstrate the SP technique of tracking.

Contact
Describe and demonstrate the SP technique of making contact.

Framing
Describe and demonstrate the SP technique of framing.

Mindfulness
Define and compare mindfulness directives and mindfulness questions.

Steps to Mindfulness
Describe and demonstrate the SP technique of Steps to Mindfulness.

Experimenting Together
List and practice two types of experiments: verbal and physical.

Accessing and Processing Stages
Identify and compare the tasks associated with the accessing and processing stages of the process.

Modulating the Effects of Trauma
Describe the effects of trauma on the brain and body and explain the Modulation Model.

Phase 1: Developing Resources
Identify a variety of somatic resources and SPI’s PEACE Resource Protocol.

Transformation and Integration Stages
Identify the skills associated with the transformation and integration stages of the process.

Common Challenges in Phase 1
Identify common challenges encountered in Phase 1 of treatment and examine strategies for meeting them.

Phase 2: Processing the Effects of Trauma
Describe different types of trauma and differentiate between implicit and explicit memory.

Orienting and Instinctive Defenses
Demonstrate bottom-up interventions to address orienting and instinctive defenses.

Sensorimotor Sequencing
Describe and demonstrate the SP technique of Sensorimotor Sequencing, including how to access a sliver of memory to activate state-specific memory.

Common Challenges in Phase 2
Identify common challenges encountered in Phase 2 of treatment and examine strategies for meeting each challenge.

Structural Dissociation
Assess indicators of structural dissociation and apply interventions.

Putting It Together
Apply the SP Foundations, Maps, and Techniques to clinical choice points across the stages of the process.

Introduction to Phase 3
Describe integrating top-down and bottom-up interventions in Phase 3 treatment and recognize the effects of attachment and developmental experiences on the body.

The In-person and online hybrid training in Australia includes access to an online platform with self paced online learning modules.

These modules accompany the live training days and students are advised to complete these prior to the live training days to make the most out of their live training modules.

Although there is no formal requirement for you to complete any additional skills practices or form a peer group, SPA has found that students who are able to practice in between trainings benefit immensely and develop fluidity with their skills.

This training has meetings that require attendance. Attendance is taken for each day of the live-online or live, in-person meetings. For Continuing Education (CE) or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit, students must be fully present on both days of the live-online or live, in-person meetings for each module.

Students are expected to make every effort to attend all training meetings. However, sometimes unforeseen circumstances may adversely impact student attendance. If it becomes clear that a student will miss more than one module, that student must notify the Trainer by direct message immediately.

These situations are handled on a case-by-case basis. Ultimately, it will be at the discretion of the Trainer whether it is best for the student to:

• Agree to an alternative training completion plan OR

• Drop the training and enroll in a future training.

Make-up Work Policy

Please keep in mind that there is NOT an option to make up missed materials by attending another training session. Instead, in the event of an absence, students must provide verification to the Trainer indicating that they have:

• Viewed the recording of the missed material (if available) or read through all materials for the session(s) missed.

• Meet with a peer to complete practice elements for the session(s) missed.

Make-up work does not qualify for CE or CPD credit.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) training is both didactic and experiential. Each aspect is integral to developing skills and embodying the method.

SPA takes care to build a container that is supportive of learning. We hold an orientation session to begin our training, have alumni team members for support in the training and provide opportunities for feedback in our training process.

We work with adult learning principles in mind and students are invited to actively engage in role play and experiential exercises as part of their learning.

Participation in peer study groups and peer partner practice is strongly recommended to support learning.

• Study Group. Students may form small groups for the purpose of studying and supporting each other's learning. Study groups may meet as desired during or outside of class time to study together, review assignments, practice techniques, and help members make up missed material. The structure of the study group may be determined by the students based on time zones or other factors. Additionally, Trainers will offer input and suggestions for how groups may take shape during the opening of the training.
  

• Peer Partner Practice Exercises. Students are encouraged to pair up during or outside of the training to practice elements of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and gain experience with SP skills by working with a fellow student over the course of the training.

Yes it certainly can! Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between the mind and body, helping clients process stored trauma through awareness of physical sensations and nervous system regulation.

The best part about somatic therapy is that it works seamlessly online. You don’t need to be in person for these practices to be effective.

From the comfort of your own home, you’ll work with your therapist to explore your body’s responses and learn tools and resources to support your unique nervous system.

This approach empowers you to gain a deeper understanding of your body and equips you with practical skills for ongoing self-regulation and healing.

In our level I training you will have access to a comprehensive library of information including reading materials and links to relevant research. You are also able. print these materials

You will also receive copies of any slide decks in the presentations and links to any additional training content.

The online learning platform also contains videos of Pat working with SP so you can watch client work in real time.

Yes! Practitioners wishing to call themselves a Registered Clinical Psychotherapist within PACFA must participate in post grad psychotherapy training post AQF7+ in counselling  or counselling & psychotherapy (not social work or psychology). 

The CoP Leadership Group have included Sensorimotor Psychotherapy on our approved modalities list. You can find the list in the below link. 

https://www.pacfa.org.au/portal/About/Colleges/Psych/Portal/About/Colleges/Psych.aspx