Exploring Trauma in an Inclusive Space: Queer Trauma Workshops at Pathway Counselling

By Jasmyn Collings

Book the Queer, Non-binary and Trans 5 Week Trauma Toolkit Workshop here.

At Pathway Counselling, we understand that trauma often intersects with the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. This 5-week Queer Trauma Workshop invites participants into a gender-inclusive space, where we can explore the embodied impact of trauma without having to overextend our energies by educating others, justifying, or explaining our gender identities, sexualities, lifestyles, and queerness.

For many, living in a patriarchal and heteronormative society can feel like navigating a constant, complex trauma. The pressures and prejudices of this culture can deeply affect how we experience safety in our bodies and the world. This workshop will give us a chance to ask essential questions: “Where do we feel safe?” and “How can we begin to befriend our bodies in environments that don’t always feel welcoming?”

What to Expect

Led by a cis-gendered bisexual woman, this workshop creates a supportive, inclusive environment where participants can focus on understanding trauma and practicing practical coping strategies. Importantly, this space will not require participants to justify their identities or share personal life stories—it’s about learning, healing, and reconnecting with our bodies in a way that feels affirming.

Throughout the course, participants will:

  • Learn about trauma in a non-clinical, accessible way.
  • Experiment with grounding techniques and activities to regulate the nervous system.
  • Create personal tools for managing the impact of trauma.
  • Engage in optional self-practice at home between sessions.

A Safe Space for Queer Healing

This workshop acknowledges that for many in the LGBTQ+ community, safety—both physical and emotional—can be hard to come by. Trauma isn’t just about past events; it’s about how we continue to carry those impacts in our bodies today, especially within systems that can feel oppressive or unsafe.

While we won’t be processing individual stories in this space, participants will have the opportunity to explore trauma from a broad perspective, with the support of grounding techniques and tools that can be applied in their everyday lives. Each session includes a brief tea break for informal connection, and we encourage bringing a notebook to reflect on your personal journey.

By offering an inclusive, judgment-free environment, we aim to create a sanctuary where queer individuals can focus on their own healing. This is a place to rest, reflect, and begin the process of reconnecting with and befriending your body—on your terms, without the need to justify your existence.

Check out the Queer, Non-binary and Trans 5 Week Trauma Toolkit Workshop here.