24 November 2026 | 9am-3pm AEDT | Online workshop | → Register Now!
5 March 2027 | 9am-3pm AEDT | Online workshop | → Register Now!
30 July 2027 | 9am-3pm AEST | Online workshop | → Register Now!
26 November 2027 | 9am-3pm AEDT | Online workshop | → Register Now!
Are you a frontline worker, volunteer, educator, community leader, or service provider who interacts with people from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds? Do you sometimes find yourself in conversations where someone opens up about overwhelming trauma, distress, or crisis and you’re unsure how to respond?
The Accidental Counselling Workshop is a highly practical, evidence-informed training that will equip you with essential skills to offer immediate, compassionate and culturally safe support. No formal counselling background is needed, just a willingness to learn how to be present, listen, and respond effectively when it matters most.
WHY THIS WORKSHOP MATTERS
People from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds often carry the impact of forced displacement, persecution, torture, and trauma. These are compounded by the challenges of resettlement, language barriers, and loss of community. In moments of distress, they may turn to a trusted teacher, support worker, nurse, community advocate, or friendly face, even if that person isn’t a trained counsellor.
This workshop is designed to help you respond with empathy, clarity, and confidence, without needing to be a mental health expert.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Recognise Refugee Trauma Responses
Understand the emotional, behavioural, and cognitive responses common in people impacted by torture, trauma and resettlement stressors, including black-and-white thinking, dissociation, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm.
Effective and Empathic Communication
Develop the foundational skills of active listening, empathic responses, and safe verbal and non-verbal communication — crucial for building trust and creating safety.
Ask Safe and Appropriate Questions
Learn how to ask present-focused questions that support the person in clarifying their needs without triggering distress or retraumatisation.
Containment and Grounding Strategies
Support people who are overwhelmed or dissociating by learning simple yet powerful grounding techniques and emotional containment methods.
Support Recovery and Build Resilience
Help individuals reconnect with their strengths and resources, shift focus to what is manageable in the present, and take empowering steps forward.
Identify Referrals and Supports
Know when and how to refer individuals to appropriate services and ensure their basic safety and wellbeing are addressed.
End Supportive Conversations Safely
Leave each interaction with the person feeling safe, seen, and informed — with clear follow-up steps and crisis support options if needed.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This workshop is ideal for:
- Community and youth workers
- Settlement or housing support staff
- Caseworkers, social workers and educators
- Medical, allied health, and admin staff
- Faith and community leaders
- Volunteers or peer mentors
- Anyone likely to be “confided in” by people in distress
No prior counselling experience is required.
Our Trainer – Haseeba Shamal
Senior Counsellor/Training Project Officer, STARTTS
Haseeba Shamal is a Senior Counsellor, Clinical Consultant, and Training Project Officer at STARTTS. She is an AASW-registered Mental Health Social Worker and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of New South Wales. Since 2013, she has worked extensively with people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds across areas including refugee resettlement, out-of-home care, child protection, community development, family therapy, counselling, and team leadership. Drawing on both her professional expertise and lived experience as a refugee, she brings deep empathy, insight, and connection to her work. Haseeba is committed to applying social justice frameworks, advocacy and practical skills to support healing, resilience, and collective well-being within diverse communities. Read more….
A fantastic facilitator, someone who always gave the group an opportunity to reflect, ask questions
FORMAT AND INCLUSIONS
- Online and in-person delivery
- Facilitated by an experienced trauma-informed practitioner
- Includes interactive activities, real-life scenarios, and skill practice
- Claim 6 CPD points
- Receive a certificate of completion
- Receive a PDF of the workshop slides
COST
Early Bird – $355 | $300 concession (5 tickets available, ends 2 months before event)
Standard – $395 | $330 concession
DON’T MISS OUT – LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
Reserve you place today via secure online payment and empower yourself to provide safe, respectful and effective support to people from refugee backgrounds who need it most.
- 24 November 2026 | 9am-3pm AEDT | Online workshop | → Register Now!
BRING THIS WORKSHOP TO YOUR TEAM
Would your team benefit from tailored, trauma-informed training? This workshop is available as an online and in-person in-house session (in-person available in Sydney only), customised to meet the specific needs of your staff, clients, or community. Visit our Request Training page for details on pricing, availability, and how to book.
Plan ahead: Due to high demand, we recommend submitting your request at least 6–8 weeks in advance to secure your preferred date. Empower your team with the confidence, skills, and cultural sensitivity to support refugee and asylum seeker communities effectively.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Payment of the registration fee is online by credit card and a receipt/confirmation will be automatically emailed to you. An administration fee of $30 applies to all cancellations made more than 14 days the day before the start of the event. Registration once paid cannot be cancelled 14 days or less the day before the start of the event, regardless of personal circumstances. Registration can be transferred to another delegate only if STARTTS is informed of the name change. Registration cannot be transferred to another workshop. The concession price is for full-time students, seniors and the unemployed. A photocopy or pdf of a valid concession card must be forwarded to the STARTTS training team upon registration. Registrations will not be confirmed until full payment is received. The deadlines for the early bird and standard prices cannot be extended. Sometimes STARTTS will need to change the trainer of a particular workshop. The STARTTS Training Team can be contacted at stts-training@health.nsw.gov.au or (02) 9646 6700.
CONTACT US
stts-training@health.nsw.gov.au
(02) 9646 6700 Ask for the Training Administration Officer