Circle Facilitation Skills Training: A Trauma-Informed Approach

This CPD training is for anyone who works with groups of clients or would like to encourage sharing within a talking circle, workshop or retreat.

The aim of circle holding, is to provide a safe space where people can share experiences and know that people will listen without judgement and in confidence.  The skill of facilitation is how to manage dynamics so that the sharing is at an appropriate level for the time that you have available within the session and to leave individuals feeling heard but not vulnerable through oversharing.

A trauma-informed approach is important to support people's nervous systems and avoid triggering of any previous trauma.  Restorative language is supportive and caring, whilst also providing boundaries and clear expectations.  This training will show you how to communicate well and compassionately in challenging situations or when big emotions arise. 

This is an experiential workshop with lots of opportunities to try out techniques.  Circle facilitation skills will be modelled throughout the day.  The training is not therapy and does not enable you to provide therapy but will give you confidence in supporting sharing through good communication and empathy, and in building community.

You will be eligible for a CPD certificate at the end of the workshop.

Content

The training will be broken into morning and afternoon sessions, with a lunch break to network or have space to integrate.  You will experience multiple circles with different openings and closings so that you have lots of examples to use in your own groups.

The training will cover:

1. Understanding Circle Facilitation:
• The power and purpose of circles in fostering connection and community.
• Key principles of circle facilitation: inclusion, active listening, and holding space.
• Key components in the arc of a circle.
• How to create a non-judgmental and brave space where participants feel safe to share.
2. Practical Skills for Facilitating Circles:
• How to guide a group through the circle process.
• Tools for managing group dynamics and encouraging participation.
• Techniques for managing difficult conversations or conflicts that may arise.
3. Building Trust and Safety:
• Methods for establishing trust within the circle, ensuring that participants feel heard and respected, such as co-created guidelines
• Approaches to creating an environment where participants feel safe to open up, even on sensitive topics, including using Listening Partnerships
4. Ethical Considerations and Boundaries:
• How to maintain ethical boundaries while facilitating.
• Understanding the facilitator’s role in maintaining neutrality and avoiding bias.
5. Practical Application and Case Studies:
• Real-world examples of circles in different settings (e.g., therapy, community building, conflict resolution, LGBTQIA+ support).
• Strategies for adapting circle facilitation to suit different contexts and needs including using crafts to support sharing and incorporating ceremony where appropriate.

This is an experiential training that is suitable for different levels, whether it’s to feel confident starting a circle, build capacity for more sensitive topics or to connect with other facilitators to share experiences with.

About Julia and Tess

Tessa Venuti Sanderson and Julia Davis are co-authors of "Circle Holding: A Practical Guide to Facilitating Talking Circles" and co-hosts of the podcast Circle Holding with diverse facilitators.

Tessa is formerly an academic researcher in Medical Sociology. She is an experienced yoga teacher and trainer of 20+ years and has been hosting circles for 11 years.  She has run diverse circles including with women, mums and daughters around puberty, menopause, in the community for isolated residents, and reflective professional circles. She has written nine books for children and women around puberty, pregnancy, menstrual cycles, and yoga nidra scripts.  She teaches somatic practices on counselling trainings and runs CPD courses for yoga teachers. 

Julia has over 25 years’ experience as a yoga teacher and trainer hosting, creating bespoke training opportunities for yoga teachers and therapists.  She loves women's circle in her cottage studio Finchley Yoga in North London.  Her circle training experience encompasses work with schools, colleges, universities, charities, business settings and a variety of community & yoga settings.  She is experienced in hosting both online and in person, and supports individuals creating circles and groups for all ages and genders.  As well as her work as a circle facilitator and trainer she is responsible for Narrative 4 in the UK, a charity focussing on the power of story to reduce polarity and enhance compassionate communication.