Introduction to Working in Trauma & Complex Pelvic Pain
Health practitioner training
Supporting the person, not just the pelvis.
This 3-hour live online training is designed for health professionals who work with individuals experiencing chronic pelvic pain, sexual trauma, and complex trauma histories.
Unlike clinical technique-focused courses (e.g. pelvic floor down-training or dilator training), this session shifts the focus to the therapeutic relationship, the impact of trauma on the body and brain, and more specifically the emotional load on you, the clinician.
We focus on supporting YOU to work in this hard, yet rewarding space.
What you’ll learn
What it really means to work trauma-informed in the pelvic health space.
Why trauma and pelvic pain are so frequently linked — and how to respond appropriately.
How to hold space for deep emotional disclosures such as sexual trauma, assault, or abuse.
How to ask the hard questions with compassion, clarity, and confidence.
How to protect your own emotional wellbeing, avoid burnout, and recognise the signs of vicarious trauma.
How to create sustainable boundaries that are ethical, kind, and protective
The power of clinical supervision, peer debriefing, and reflective practice — and how to integrate these into your weekly rhythm
How to create safer spaces and therapeutic trust without overstepping scope or freezing in uncertainty
Why this training matters
We believe in protecting the practitioner.
You can’t support others if you’re running on empty. This course doesn’t just train you to support your clients — it will guide you in protecting your own nervous system, setting boundaries, and creating sustainable, emotionally intelligent practice.
Working in pelvic health brings you into intimate conversations, often with people who carry immense pain—both physical and emotional. Most of us were never taught how to respond when a patient breaks down and shares their trauma story. And most of us weren't taught how to prepare ourselves emotionally, how to debrief, or how to spot early signs of compassion fatigue.
This course fills that gap.
Whether you're just starting in this field or you’ve already encountered these challenging moments and felt unsure how to handle them, this training provides practical guidance, reflective insight, and emotional tools to help you thrive in this meaningful and sensitive area of care.
Topics we cover in the training
-
pain & trauma
The link between chronic pelvic pain and trauma
-
nervous system
Understanding nervous system dysregulation and safety signals
-
hard questions
When and how to ask about sexual trauma or emotional distress
-
draw the line
Clinician boundaries, debriefing, vicarious trauma prevention & referral
The details
-
2025
16th September 5:00pm - 8:00pm
5th December 2:00pm-5:00pm
-
$150 per person
*Please enquire for a significant group discount if your clinic would like to attend all together online.
-
3-hour live interactive webinar via Teams
Printable reflection guide + clinician checklist
Practical scripts and conversation tools for sensitive topics
Insights from years of clinical experience in trauma and pelvic pain.
Meet your facilitator
Rosie Purdue, Senior Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
I’m a physiotherapist with a deep interest in the intersection of trauma, pain, and pelvic health. I am the founder of Hatched House, a women’s health clinic in Melbourne and I’ve worked as a senior clinician in the Chronic Pelvic Pain Clinic at the Royal Women’s Hospital. I was surrounded by the best team, and we supported individuals navigating complex pelvic pain presentations, often layered with trauma, grief, shame, or emotional distress.
I was recently invited to present at the Victorian Pelvic Pain Symposium, sharing insights on the role of physiotherapists in trauma-informed care. In concluding my speech, I raised the emotional labour of working in this space. These conversations are long overdue — and essential for protecting both our patients and ourselves.
Like many in this field, I started with a strong foundation in pelvic floor and continence physiotherapy, completing postgraduate qualifications in this area — and in sports medicine. It quickly became clear that our clinical tools are not enough if we’re not equipped to handle the emotional complexity of what our clients carry. This course is my way of helping fill that gap.
I’m a clinician who’s learned — often the hard way — how essential it is to understand trauma, set boundaries, and protect our nervous system while doing meaningful work.
Physiotherapists, osteopaths and exercise physiologists working in pelvic health, women’s health, and/or chronic pain.
Midwives, doulas, and childbirth educators.
Mental health professionals looking to collaborate more closely with pelvic health physiotherapists.
Any health professional who feels ill-equipped to navigate trauma in the treatment room.
Who is this training for?
Frequently asked questions
-
Yes, the course is 100% online.
-
Not at this stage, however if you cannot make one of the dates/times please email us your preferences and we will consider this for next year.
-
Yes, contact us for a group discount.
-
There is no refund available, however should you not be able to attend, we will fit you in next time.
-
Yes, for most AHPRA registered professionals. Not registered for RACGP CPD points.
Supporting the Person, Not Just the Pelvis
Book the training now and feel more prepared and happy working in this hard, yet reward space.