ELBOWROOM AUSTRALIA©

ELBOWROOM AUSTRALIA are trauma informed, movement and active-defence recovery programs for women who have experienced family violence. Providing a safe and supportive environment, these evidence-based educational programs increase body awareness, assertiveness skills and confidence in re-claiming the right to be safe.

ELBOWROOM teaches by replicating real life scenarios, assisting women to detect verbal, emotional and physical violations and develop communication and physical skills to assert boundaries. 

FACILITATORS

Our programs engage Therapists and Martial Arts Professionals who work together to provide an emotionally supportive and physically safe environment in which to enhance awareness, skills and a sense of personal agency.

FAMILY VIOLENCE

ELBOWROOM has been developed specifically for women who have been exposed to violence by those known to them. It offers opportunities to understand trauma, engage in regulation strategies, somatic experiencing and active-defence drills to assert physical and verbal boundaries in a way that was previously unsafe. The program is committed to providing a space to heal by focusing on people’s defensive body movement 

and the strength of a calm mind.

COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

ELBOWROOM is committed to serving our community to reduce incidences of violence and provide a safe space to recover.Assessment procedures ensure participants are group ready. Pre and post psychological tests assist in evaluating outcomes.

TRAUMA INFORMED 

ELBOWROOM modules are informed by current trauma research and self defence programs. Neurobiology, somatic psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour exposure therapy are embedded in the program. These evidence-based approaches are known to reduce symptoms of PTSD. Improvement comes from neurological remapping; enhancing awareness, insight and articulation of the felt sense, cognitions and emotions; attuning to peri-personal space and asserting boundaries. 

Jennifer Dawson is the founder of ELBOWROOM. She has extensive experience working with survivors of interpersonal trauma and holds a 2nd Dan WGKA black belt. Jennifer has partnered to roll out the program with several community based agencies.. She has a particular interest in culturally sensitive practice, interpersonal trauma and its impact, utilising evidence based research to assist in recovery and enhancing strengths to rebuild healthy lives.