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Moving Beyond Trauma

If you are living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)  & you want to heal the past & bring relief to your troubled body, mind & spirit in a confidential safe environment, we can help you.

About the Program

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.

Program Dates

1-5 May 2023
22-26 May 2023
19-23 June 2023
3-7 July 2023
14-18 August 2023
4-8 September 2023
9-13 October 2023
30 October-3 November 2023
4-8 December 2023
8-12 January 2024
12-16 February 2024
11-15 March 2024
8-12 April 2024
13-17 May 2024
3-7 June 2024

Program Fees

Quest subsidises all privately funded places to ensure the cost of our programs remains affordable to individuals. This allows us to reduce the fee from $4,295 to $2,695. This reduced fee only applies to privately funded bookings.

Subsidies available. Through generous grants, donations and fundraising, Quest is able to offer subsidies to attend our Residential Programs. Anyone experiencing financial stress will be considered. In addition, specific grant funding is available for people experiencing suicidal ideation.

Programs can also be funded through Worker’s Comp insurance and DVA for eligible veterans.

If you are being funded by the NDIS click here for Pricing and how to register.

$1,995 Shared room (Early bird* $1,895 – must be paid 30 days in advance)
$2,695 Single room (Early bird* $2,595 – must be paid 30 days in advance)

Fees effective 1 July 2022

Venue

Quest for Life Centre
13-33 Ellsmore Road
Bundanoon NSW 2578
Google Maps

ENQUIRE/BOOK INTO THIS PROGRAM

Booking Information
Frequently Asked Questions

Program content

Content is tailored to participants’ needs and addresses practical aspects of living well with challenging circumstances and instruction on how to create an environment for the healing of PTSD and CPTSD. The program provides evidence-based approaches to health and wellbeing.

Upon arrival you are welcomed to the Centre by our friendly team of specialists followed by a short introductory session at 4pm and then break for a nutritious dinner and an early night to get settled into your surroundings. The next day starts at 7.30am with (an optional) gentle morning stretch and meditation and finishes with an evening activity that ensures you get plenty of sleep. There is a long lunch break so you can rest, read, have a counselling or massage appointment, or go for a walk in the beautiful gardens.

Group sessions include:

  • An understanding of trauma’s impact on the brain and nervous system
  • Pathways to recovery
  • The role of meditation – understanding the why and how
  • Living mindfully in the present moment
  • ‘Getting a grip’ by taking charge of our thoughts and feelings
  • Practical strategies to improve communication and resolve conflict
  • Learning to respond, rather than react
  • Changing our language from ‘reactive’ to ‘responsive’
  • Managing our lives more proactively
  • Relaxation strategies and techniques
  • Knowing your triggers and what helps to soothe and settle them
  • Education in improved nutrition, exercise, sleep and lifestyle choices

Program Inclusions

  • Accommodation (4 nights) in your own ensuited comfortable bedroom with double or queen/king size bed. If you travel to Quest with a family member, partner or friend, they are welcome to share your room.
  • 3 delicious and nutritious meals a day, morning and afternoon teas and fresh juices. Read more about our acclaimed food below.
  • A varied selection of herbal teas or coffee. Our delicious, filtered water is available at any time.
  • A personal counselling session. Extra counselling sessions are sometimes available at a reasonable charge.
  • Education in neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change/heal) and epigenetics (the factors influencing genetic expression including sleep, exercise, nutrition and mindfulness).
  • Gentle yoga stretching each morning.
  • Regular relaxation sessions incorporating meditation.
  • A USB containing audio files of Your Life Matters book and meditations to complement your program.
  • Personal vision board to take home.

Optional extras

(Book on arrival. Credit card or cash payment)

  • Massage
  • Additional personal counselling sessions

Set within 9 acres of manicured gardens in Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands, NSW. From the moment you enter the drive, you will begin to feel renewed, refreshed and inspired.

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

Recommended resources

You will be nurtured, nourished and restored with the confidence to embrace your life again.

Arrival and Departure

  • Monday Arrival time 2-3pm
  • Friday Departure time 2pm
  • Plenty of onsite parking is available
  • You can be picked up and dropped at the Bundanoon train station (City Link and Country Link trains stop at Bundanoon)
  • Best trains to catch (book well in advance)
    – From Sydney Central Station Depart 12.01pm
    – From Canberra Kingston Depart 11.55am

Accessibility

Discuss any accessibility or mobility requirements with the Program Adviser when you book in. Quest has a wheelchair accessible room/ensuite.

Delicious meals and snacks

  • We serve delicious freshly prepared meals using the principles of SLOW – Seasonal, Locally-sourced, Organic, Wholefood as far as possible. The Quest veggie garden supplies seasonal produce.
  • Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Sugar Free, Vegan are no problem! Our chef can work with allergies and intolerances as listed with prior notice – all special dietary requirements can be discussed with the Program Advisor at the time of booking.
  • Breakfast is served from (8.30-9.30am), Lunch (1-2pm), Dinner (6-7pm)
  • Freshly pressed juices are served for morning and afternoon tea along with delicious snacks.
  • Teas, coffee, filtered water and fresh fruit are available at any time.
  • Please note that the Quest for Life Centre maintains an environment that is alcohol and non-prescription drug free. A participant will need to leave the program if found to be drug or alcohol affected.

Enquire or book into this program

You can call between 9.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday on 1300 941 488 to speak to a Program Advisor or complete the form below and we will be in contact.

What previous attendees have said:

“As a former police officer with PTSD I found this program extremely helpful. The facilitators were highly knowledgeable and genuinely cared.” – Kathleen

“It’s the best thing I’ve done for myself. It’s given me perspective and inspiration to live life to its fullest. It was an honor, a blessing and a privilege to attend Quest – all the team there were wonderful and made it feel like home.” – Kylie

“I’m a Vietnam veteran diagnosed in 1995 with chronic PTSD and chronic depression. In the last 25 years, I’ve had 14 admissions into psychiatric hospitals, some short stays, and some as long as 3 months. Although the help I received on these admissions assisted with my ongoing survival, it wasn’t until I attended the ‘Moving Beyond Trauma‘ program at Quest that I finally found the peace and tools for personal growth beyond PTSD that I’ve been searching for, for so long.

Although the course was intense, the client-to-staff ratio was incredible. There were 9 clients with 7 support staff including counsellors, very experienced psychologists, naturopaths, massage therapists, yoga experts along with recovering PTSD sufferers. And of course, the incredible experience and wisdom of Petrea King, the inspirational leader of this wonderful, amazing place of healing and peace. In my humble opinion, the PTSD programs available here would benefit all levels of veterans of all wars and perhaps put the brakes on the appalling number of suicides, which are increasing weekly.” – Dave

“The course has made me want to embrace life for the first time in years. I believe that it was my calling in life to serve. I am confident now that I will be able to serve the community again one day. Hopefully soon.” – Bob

“I had heard that Petrea King did great things for people dying and their families. I had never thought that it could possibly help me with PTSD. Meditation, hah, nothing that a tough ex-cop would be involved in. In fact, nearly everything over the next few days took me out of my comfort zone. Nothing was forced upon me, but you could feel the encouragement and support, not just from the other participants, but everyone. As a group we discussed a lot of common-sense ideas that I had forgotten. I realised that I was in a habit, a bad habit of not trusting anyone and never showing emotions. The resources that were given will be a continual help throughout life.” – Graham, NSW Police Officer

“I recently spent 5 days at Quest for Life in Bundanoon, without doubt the best decision I’ve ever made. Spending 5 days with people from all walks of life who have been struggling to understand and find alternative ways of dealing with stressful situations was made clear with a non-judgemental approach. I would recommend Quest to anyone in need of some quality time with professional support.” – John