Dr. Tony Bates Interviews Dr. Stephen Terrell

 

This 1-day workshop will introduce participants to the theory and practice of Transforming Touch®.

What is Transforming Touch®?

Transforming Touch® is a regulation-focused therapy, that uses safe touch to heal
and repair early developmental trauma in children, adolescents, and adults. It was
devised by Dr. Stephen Terrell and works with a 7-point protocol to build attachment
and somatic trust in the body. Over time enhancements and the integration of primitive
reflexes are incorporated. The practitioner meets the client exactly where they are with
presence, regulation, and compassion, allowing them to open to the possibility of
healing. It’s a relational, non-pathologising approach to profoundly healing at a nervous system level. It brings together several disciplines including Attachment Theory, Neuroscience, Child Development Theory, Trauma, and Somatics.

Workshop Description – What is covered?

This workshop will give learners an overview of how Transforming Touch® is delivered and the power of therapeutic touch in healing early trauma.

The program for the day will include the following:

• Lectures & practical teaching

• A Conversation between Dr. Stephen Terrell & Dr. Tony Bates, Clinical Psychologist & mindfulness practitioner. Come and hear Dr. Terrell’s own story and how the modality developed over time. Be present for what promises to be an interesting exchange between two stalwarts of mental health healing & innovation.

Who is Dr. Stephen Terrell?

Dr. Terrell is a leading expert in the field of Developmental Trauma and Adoption and is recognised worldwide for his work in this area. He is based near Austin Texas in the US and regularly visits Ireland to provide training in Transforming Touch® & to support practitioners who are already using the work. He is co-author of the book ‘Nurturing Resilience’ with Kathy L. Kain. In this book, they draw on fifty years of their combined clinical and teaching experience to provide a clear road map for understanding & working with the complexities of early trauma and its related symptoms. Dr. Terrell advocates moving from a symptom-led framework & diagnostics to acknowledging every client’s presentation as normal, based on what they have experienced.

Who is Dr. Tony Bates?

Dr. Bates is a renowned clinical psychologist. Formerly the head of the Department of Psychology at St James’s Hospital, Dublin, he established the MSc in cognitive psychotherapy at Trinity College Dublin and founded Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health. He was made honorary Professor of Psychology in UCD in September 2018 as a tribute to his contribution to the field. He trained as a mindfulness teacher in University of North Wales, Bangor in 2001 and has been active since in disseminating Mindfulness in Ireland. He regularly appears on the Brendan O’Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1 and is a published author. In his recently published book  ‘Breaking the Heart Open’, he describes how his childhood trauma impacted his life & informed the direction of his work and his philosophy as a psychologist.

• A live demonstration of Transforming Touch®. Witness for yourself the depth & power of this approach, as Dr. Terrell applies the principles of Transforming Touch® in a live demo.
• A panel discussion between a variety of Irish professionals who are already integrating this ground-breaking modality into their work.

During the day, there will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions with a focus on interactive & participative learning, drawing on everyone’s experience.

This workshop also serves as an introduction to the Transforming Touch® Practitioner Training beginning in 2025 at the Avila Carmelite Centre, Dublin.

September 25-28 2025 - Module 1

January 22-25 2026 - Module 2

April 30 - May 3 2026 - Module 3

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is open to all healing professionals that would like to know more about Transforming Touch® & how to work with early developmental trauma. This includes but is not limited to:

• Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Social Workers, Art or Music Therapists
• Psychiatrists, Medical Doctors, Registered Nurses, Chiropractors, Allied Health Professionals, Occupational Therapists.
• Body Workers, Acupuncturists, Massage Therapists, Cranial Sacral Therapists
• Somatic therapists – having attended Somatic Experiencing Training, Sensory Motor Training, Hakomi Training, or a Somatic Training Program, Touch Skills for Therapists, or Somatic Resilience and Regulation