Floaty News – What’s happening here in Hydro-ease and what is there to look forward to
Life here has been good, lots of new people finding out about the magic salty water through the gift of nothing as a Christmas gift. This always draws new people in who are curious through the receipt of a gift card or through chatting to someone who has experienced our space for the first time.
As Ireland’s floatation experts we know everything there is to know about floating, and we are currently part of Project Arcturus, which is an international research project led by Dr Justin Feinstein from Maui Calm. More info can be found here: https://www.clinicalfloat.org/arcturus
We are sadly saying goodbye to Robert this month. Robert has been with us for 5 years and we are gutted to see him go, but also recognise life shifts and changes and sometimes something must change for space to be created. We wish Robert great luck and happiness in all he does.
We are also very excited to share that Scott Reilly has joined the team. Scott is a very talented and interesting young man who is well respected within the wellness space and we are absolutely thrilled to have him. Scott will join Lisa and be hosting you wonderful people on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, so pop in and say “Hi” — I know he would love to see you.
It’s Mother’s Day next weekend, so why not treat your mum to an hour of stillness and bliss. To mark this celebration we are offering 10% off all floats and gift cards when using the code md26.
Vivian’s Thoughts
Creating Safety and Stability in High-Pressure Environments
A Level 3 Trauma Enhanced Training for Justice Professionals approved by the British Psychological Society
Those who work within the justice system carry a responsibility that few outside the profession fully understand. Whether you work in policing, probation, prisons, social work, youth justice, courts, legal services, housing, victim support, or community and voluntary sector, you are regularly exposed to people in distress, crisis, conflict, and trauma.
Day after day you are required to make complex decisions, communicate effectively under pressure, and remain composed in environments that can feel unpredictable or emotionally charged.
The reality is that the work can take a toll — not only on the individuals you serve, but also on the professionals tasked with supporting them.
Over the past few decades, my work as a trauma therapist and trainer has brought me alongside many professionals within justice settings. One of the most consistent themes I hear is this:
“We were trained in procedure… but not in how trauma impacts behaviour.”
And yet trauma is often at the heart of the behaviours justice professionals encounter every single day.
This is why I am deeply honoured to be hosting a two-day Level 3 Trauma Enhanced alongside two exceptional colleagues, Dr Dawn Harris and Alex O’Donnell, who are travelling from Scotland to deliver this training with me here in Northern Ireland.
The training will take place at the beautiful Dunadry Hotel and Gardens on 31st March and 1st April.
Why Trauma Awareness Matters in Justice Settings
Many individuals who encounter justice services have experienced significant adversity in their lives. Experiences such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, addiction, loss, and community violence can leave deep imprints on the nervous system. These experiences often shape how a person responds to authority, stress, perceived threat, and interpersonal interactions. When we understand trauma, behaviour begins to make more sense.
What might appear as defiance, aggression, withdrawal, manipulation, or resistance can often be understood as survival responses from a nervous system that has learned to stay on high alert.
For professionals working on the frontline of justice services, this understanding can be transformative. Rather than escalating situations unintentionally, trauma-informed awareness allows staff to:
- Recognise what is happening beneath the behaviour
- Respond in ways that reduce conflict rather than increase it
- Maintain personal regulation during challenging interactions
- Communicate more effectively with individuals experiencing distress
But the benefits extend far beyond service users.
The Hidden Impact on Justice Professionals
Justice professionals are routinely exposed to:
- Highly emotional situations
- Accounts of violence or abuse
- Aggression or confrontation
- Chronic stress and operational pressure
Over time, this exposure can contribute to burnout, compassion fatigue, and nervous system dysregulation. When teams are operating under sustained stress, organisations often begin to see patterns such as:
- Increased sickness absence
- Higher staff turnover
- Communication breakdowns
- Escalating conflict in teams
- Reduced morale and productivity
These issues are rarely about people lacking commitment or professionalism. More often, they are the result of systems and environments that do not adequately support nervous system regulation, psychological safety, or trauma awareness. This is where trauma-informed training becomes not just helpful — but essential.
Over the two immersive days, this training will explore how trauma impacts behaviour, communication, and decision-making, and how justice professionals can respond in ways that create greater safety and stability for everyone involved.
Together with Dr Dawn Harris and Alex O’Donnell, we will guide participants through a blend of research, practical frameworks, real-world application, and reflective learning.
Participants will explore:
- Understanding the trauma response
- How adversity shapes the nervous system
- The science behind survival responses such as fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and collapse
- Why people react the way they do in high-stress environments
This training explores how to:
- Use skills that support safety rather than threat
- Understand and de-escalate heightened situations
- Improve engagement with individuals who may distrust
Creating Safer Organisational Cultures
Trauma awareness is not only about frontline practice. It also has powerful implications for leadership, team culture, and organisational wellbeing.
Participants will explore how trauma-informed principles can support:
- Psychological safety in teams
- More effective leadership communication
- Healthier workplace environments
Many participants describe trauma-informed learning as a lens shift. Suddenly behaviours that once felt confusing or confrontational begin to make sense — and professionals feel more equipped to respond effectively.
Organisations that invest in trauma-informed training often see measurable improvements in staff wellbeing. When staff understand stress responses and have tools to regulate themselves, burnout and overwhelm can reduce significantly.
Improved staff wellbeing and psychological safety often contribute to lower sickness absence and greater staff retention. Teams develop greater awareness of how stress impacts communication, which can improve collaboration and reduce internal conflict. When staff feel supported and psychologically safe, they can function more effectively and maintain higher levels of performance.
Understanding trauma responses helps staff de-escalate situations earlier, reducing risk and improving safety for everyone.
I am incredibly proud to be delivering this training alongside Dawn and Alex. Both are highly respected practitioners with extensive experience in trauma-informed practice.
Their work across justice, health, and community sectors has supported countless professionals to deepen their understanding of trauma and develop more effective approaches to working with complex behaviours. Bringing their expertise together with my own therapeutic and training experience creates a powerful and practical learning experience.
In a world increasingly dominated by online training, there is something profoundly valuable about learning together in the room. For professionals working in challenging environments, this space to pause, reflect, and learn together can be incredibly powerful.
This training comes with 14 hours CPD and is accredited by the British Psychological Society.
Please join us at the Dunadry Hotel and Gardens, Antrim, 9.30am – 4pm on 31st March & 1st April 2026.
Spaces are intentionally limited to ensure the quality of the learning experience.
To reserve your place or learn more about the training, click here.
