Training: Embodied Consent for Professionals

As healthcare professionals, we work with people, out of love for people. We carry out our profession as massage therapists, therapists, midwives, doulas, maternity nurses, etc. out of care, dedication and love for our profession, our clients and patients. Yet many women experience trauma around their pregnancy. More often than we would like. But how does this happen? And could it have been prevented?

Why this training?

Research has shown that the emergence of trauma is not so much linked to the events during childbirth, pregnancy or the time afterwards but that the communication as experienced by the client is decisive. Trauma occurred because clients experienced communication as not clear and they did not feel they had a choice for themselves.

With the Embodied Consent training for Professionals , we want to contribute to the prevention of (re)traumatization of all women.

Communication is the key

Communication turns out to be the key word in the experience of every pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. No one wants to cause trauma to anyone; yet this happens to thousands of women in the Netherlands. Here, research shows that it is not about the act or procedure itself, but about the way of communicate.

So how do you ensure clear communication with your client so that she maintains direction and autonomy ? How do you communicate about “difficult” topics such as sexuality during or after childbirth? In this training you will get a lot of practical tools, tips and handles. You practice and experience at first hand the difference between undergoing and receiving; maintaining autonomy or being “taken over”. Both make a substantial difference.

In this training you will learn to communicate with clarity and equality. You will experience at first hand how different communication styles come across, where the pitfalls lie and especially how you can come to a decision together with your client/patient on the basis of equality, so that the experience is a positive one for both parties, regardless of the outcome or procedure.

The numbers don’t lie….

• For 9 to 21% of women, childbirth is a traumatic experience; around 170,000 women give birth each year; this equates to 20,000 – 30,000 women Stramrood et al. 2011
• 10% of women experience childbirth as traumatic and 20% as negative; this amounts to 20,000 to 30,000 women per year van der Pijl et al. 2022
• Over 1% of all women in the Netherlands who give birth develop PTSD; 1800 and 5400 women per year in the Netherlands; Stramrood et al. 2011

What is Embodied Consent?

Embodied Consent. Consent literally means permission. Embodied means that all aspects of the body are in 1 alignment. It means that a yes must be felt in the head, the heart and the lower abdomen. If a woman, after being properly informed about a situation, is given the time and space within herself to be able to feel if she feels a “yes” or “no” and is given the opportunity to express this, she will feel empowered. This sense of empowerment, autonomy and direction is critical in whether or not Trauma occurs.

The following topics will be covered:

• Trauma/ Polyvagal Theory by Stephen Porges
• Understanding that touch, like smell, goes directly to our alarm system in the brain
• How to recognize if client is in green/yellow/red (phase alarm system).
• Breathe as a tool to return to a yellow/green state
• Awareness of language use; verbal and body language
• Awareness on difference between being able to undergo a touch or fully receive a touch through various practical exercises and theory about it
• Exercises on learning to set boundaries
• Exercises to learn to feel whether there is a real “yes” or “no” in both the head, heart and body
• Exercises that can be given directly to clients to practice at home with partners.

After training:

• Have an understanding of what effect language has on the client.
• Have tools on how to use language to really connect with your client.
• Know the power of listening and how it can serve you in your profession.
• Have you experienced the power of space holden and know how to do this yourself.
• Have an understanding of pitfalls/professional deformation and know how to avoid them.
• Recognize the signs of trauma and know how to deal with them.
• Know how to ensure safety in a session for your client
• Can you guide your client to find and learn to express his/her boundary.
• Are you aware of how applying Embodied Consent enriches your toolkit as a care giver.

Accreditation by KNOV with 6 credits, category A

Accreditation KCKZ with 4 credits in category C

Practical

• Date n.a.
• 10:30 walk-in.
• 11.00 – 18.00.
• Bring a pair of warm socks, a notepad, a bottle of water and a blanket.
• Delicious lunch included
• Location: Casa Calluna, Boulevard 19, 3707BL Zeist.
• Parking is free on site (please keep first 2 parking spaces free for pregnant women)

For whom is this training suitable?

For all healthcare professionals such as massage therapists, (body) therapist, midwife, doula, maternity nurse or other healthcare professionals who wish to learn more about the subject.

In doing so, this training Embodied Consent requires a willingness to dare to look at one’s own attitudes, behaviors and actions as a healthcare provider.

Investment

The cost of this 1-day training Embodied Consent Communication for Professionals is € 295.

Questions?

Do you have questions about the training? Please feel free to contact us at training@danacentrum.nl.