Moving Beyond Trauma is designed to assist people with post-trauma stress symptoms to reclaim their lives and create greater control over their emotional equilibrium and their lifestyle choices. It is based on the latest research into neuroplasticity and epigenetics and provides you with a clear pathway towards full recovery from post-trauma injuries.

Our group education program, tailored to you as an individual, offers an effective and holistic approach to managing and healing post-trauma suffering.

Our results show a significant improvement in participant’s quantified mental wellbeing immediately after attending a program, and improvement continues to increase with time.

Why seek help?

The damaging effects of traumatic experiences affect people from all walks of life. Survivors of serious accidents, natural disasters, sexual assault, domestic violence, childhood trauma, childbirth, bullying, crime, torture, war, seeing/hearing/witnessing a crisis or catastrophe and more recently the effects of COVID-19 amongst other traumatic events may develop PTSD or CPTSD symptoms. People in professions such as the military, firefighters, paramedics, emergency workers, police officers, victims of childhood sexual abuse, and psychologists are also vulnerable to this debilitating condition, which when left untreated may become chronic.

Drawing on an understanding of trauma, its effect on the brain, and special techniques of yoga, mindfulness, relaxation and meditation, you will learn practical skills and tools which will lead to an improvement in your overall health and relationships. Throughout the program you explore and experience methods to use in everyday life for healing the nervous system and managing the mind and emotions.

With regular practice of what you learn on the program, the intensity of PTSD and CPTSD symptoms can be managed and significantly reduced, restoring hope and quality of life.

You are not your brain; you have a brain. You have suffered an injury to the brain and nervous system. The impact of trauma is not determined by strength of character, bravery or any other human attribute. It is a physical injury that can be healed by proactively engaging with the tools that lead to post-traumatic growth. The testimonials detail the effectiveness of the program as participants implement the education, strategies and skills they receive during the program.

About the program team

Quest’s highly experienced professional teams provide you with education, encouragement and support over the 5-day program. Our teams include psychologists, counsellors, a massage therapist, naturopath, yoga and meditation teachers who, together, provide a holistic program that addresses the mind, body and spirit of each person. The teams are all trained in trauma-informed care and use a whole person, recovery-oriented approach.

In addition to our team members’ professional qualifications, each member has their own experience of personal growth through suffering. This lived experience adds a powerful dimension to our programs as participants feel they’re amongst people who really understand their suffering.

Esther Mckay, a former forensic investigator with NSW Police, set up the first PTSD support groups for police in NSW. Esther assisted Quest to develop and implement the Moving Beyond Trauma program and is assisting with developing a new 4-week immersive Healing Trauma program.

Each of us needs to find our own best answers to the challenges we face. While we provide education and many practical strategies, techniques and tools to increase your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, you are encouraged to implement the ones that feel right for you.

Our residential programs are conducted at the Quest for Life Centre in Bundanoon in the beautiful Southern Highlands of NSW. The residential aspect of the program allows you to fully immerse yourself in the supportive atmosphere and soak in the education provided without any day-to-day distractions. Therapy dogs are welcome.

You will leave this program

• With a simple, practical framework to understand and manage the complexity of PTSD and CPTSD symptoms
• With a toolkit of practical skills to help restore your emotional equilibrium
• With a much deeper understanding of yourself, others and life
• Feeling new confidence in your ability and skill to embrace your challenges
• Feeling optimistic, empowered, motivated and capable
• With greater appreciation of your story and your potential to heal
• Able to respond to situations rather than react