Our team is here to answer your questions and help you learn more about the Centre for Relationships, Trauma, Addiction and Aggression.
Trauma research
Our research examines how trauma, neurodiversity, and shame shape behaviour, health and relational experiences across the lifespan.
How we turn trauma research into better outcomes for communities
In the trauma research stream, we take an applied, interdisciplinary approach that centres context, recognising that behaviour is shaped by the interaction between individual capacity, environmental demands and relational experiences. By integrating theory with applied and system-level research, we aim to inform prevention, early intervention and practice across sectors.
Our focus is on creating effective, inclusive and responsive systems that improve how individuals and communities are understood, engaged and supported. This includes research exploring how trauma, shame and neurocognitive differences influence how people experience threat, regulate emotions, and engage with others and services. We also examine how engagement with evidence-based treatments can be enhanced through relational, contextual and body-based approaches that can be implemented across real-world service settings.
Our focus areas
Across the stream, researchers investigate multiple interconnected areas, including:
- the impacts of trauma and adversity on health, behaviour, and development
- the role of shame in shaping behaviour, relationships, and engagement with services
- neurodiversity and its intersection with trauma, health, and service experiences
- intergenerational and cumulative experiences of adversity
- barriers and enablers to engagement across healthcare, education, and community settings
- trauma, neuro and shame aware approaches to practice, service design and systems change.
Feature projects
Our training and outreach translate research into practical, accessible learning for professionals, organisations and communities. We focus on building capacity to recognise and respond to trauma, neurodiversity and shame in ways that support safety, connection and engagement.
Trauma-, neuro-, and shame-aware training in healthcare settings
Led by Dr Hannah Bereznicki, this project is conducted in partnership with Barwon Health and involves adapting an existing training program for staff across maternity and paediatric services. A structured co-design process is used to tailor the training to the Barwon Health context, refining content, delivery and implementation based on staff perspectives. The program introduces foundational concepts in trauma, neurodiversity and shame, with a focus on how these shape behaviour, communication, and engagement in healthcare settings. The project includes a multi-method evaluation to examine impacts on staff knowledge, confidence, and practice over time.
Intergenerational Trauma Aware Geelong
Intergenerational Trauma Aware Geelong (in-TAG) is a community-based initiative that aims to increase awareness and understanding of trauma and its intergenerational impacts across the Geelong region. The initiative delivers a series of free workshops, events and an emerging online community of practice, bringing together professionals and community members to build shared language, understanding, and practical strategies. It emphasises accessible, non-pathologising approaches that recognise the role of context, adversity, and lived experience in shaping behaviour and wellbeing.
Evaluation and implementation of trauma-, neuro-, and shame-aware models of care
In partnership with The Salvation Army, Dr Hannah Bereznicki led an externally funded evaluation of a national Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Model of Care. This work examined the implementation, fidelity, and practical application of the Model of Care across diverse service settings, with a focus on how core principles translated into day-to-day practice. Findings have been used to refine the Model of Care and strengthen its alignment with contemporary evidence, including trauma-informed, neuro-affirming, and harm reduction approaches.
National rollout of trauma-, neuro-, and shame-aware training in AOD services
Building on this partnership, Dr Hannah Bereznicki, Dr Georgiana Cameron and Professor Peter Miller are collaborating with The Salvation Army to design and deliver a national, whole-of-system training program for AOD staff. The training supports workforce capability in understanding and responding to trauma, neurodiversity and shame within complex service environments. It is being implemented alongside the Model of Care and is subject to ongoing evaluation, enabling continuous refinement and contributing to the evidence base for scalable, system-level training approaches.
Trauma, Neuro and Shame Awareness online course
Delivered via FutureLearn, the Trauma, Neuro and Shame Awareness four-week online course (approximately three hours per week) provides accessible, evidence-informed training for professionals and community members. Developed by Dr Hannah Bereznicki, Dr Georgiana Cameron and Professor Peter Miller, the course introduces core concepts in trauma, neurodiversity and shame, and supports learners to apply these principles in practice through case-based learning, real-world examples and guided reflection.
Professional education and community engagement
Members of the stream regularly deliver invited presentations, workshops and short courses for a range of audiences, including healthcare providers, educators, community organisations and government stakeholders. These sessions focus on translating complex evidence into practical, actionable strategies, with an emphasis on relational and environmental approaches that support regulation, reduce escalation and foster psychologically safe interactions. Ongoing work is also focused on developing scalable online training and resources to extend reach and accessibility across sectors.
Contact us
Email the team
