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Building safe trauma-aware cultures that last. 

Rehabs, treatment centres and clinics transform lives every day - but many are still under-trained in trauma. That gap doesn't just cost clients - it costs everyone: 

The reality is;

❌  Clients relapse, drop out or leave when they feel unsafe.

❌  Staff burnout under the weight of dysregulation and vicarious trauma.

❌  Centres risk retraumatising people instead of healing them.

❌  Treatment outcomes falter and reputation suffers as a result. 

Whereas investing in The Voyage® programmes equips your whole service - clinical and non-clinical - with a shared trauma-aware language, culture, and skillset that is practical, CPD-accredited, and evidence-based.

 

British Psychological Society, 2018.

Up to 60% of clinicians working in addiction services report significant symptoms of vicarious trauma within 5 years.

 SAMHSA, 2014

Studies show that as many as 80% of women in substance use treatment report either histories of sexual or physical abuse or both.

UK Government 2021

For many people, mental health problems and trauma lie at the heart of their drug and alcohol dependence. 

SAMHSA 2014

Trauma plays a significant role in mental and substance use disorders and should be systematically addressed in prevention, treatment, and recovery settings.

Why Your Centre Needs Trauma-Aware Training

  • 65%+ of clients in addiction treatment report significant childhood trauma. — CDC/Kaiser Permanente ACE Study
  • “Most professional training allocates fewer than 10 hours to trauma - yet 80% of clinical presentations are trauma-based.” - British Psychological Society, 2018
  • “We must understand how addictive substances have helped the trauma patient to survive.” - Janina Fisher, 2000

👉 Without trauma awareness, even the most skilled clinicians risk escalating shame and re-traumatisation. With it, outcomes change dramatically:

  • Retention improves - clients who feel safe are 3x more likely to stay in treatment. - UK Gov, 2021
  • Relapse reduces - trauma-informed care lowers the 40–60% relapse rate common in addiction treatment. — NIDA, 2020

Leading figures in psychology have long acknowledged the connection between trauma, chronic stress, adverse childhood experiences, and various mental health issues.

Governments worldwide are increasingly recognising this link and advocating for "trauma-informed practice" in services. 

Trauma, as defined by SAMHSA, encompasses events or circumstances that cause lasting harm to an individual's well-being. 

Factors such as disrupted attachment and adverse childhood experiences contribute to trauma, often leading to harmful coping mechanisms like addiction and eating disorders. 

However, current treatment approaches tend to focus on symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes, leaving individuals vulnerable to relapse and re-traumatisation.

This perpetuates a cycle of shame and undermines effective coping mechanisms.

Trauma-Aware Training Matters in Treatment Settings

When your team truly understands trauma and the nervous system, everything changes - for your clients and your staff.

Without this foundation, even the most skilled clinicians can accidentally retraumatise, lose client engagement, or burn out. But with the right training:

Clients feel safer,
stay engaged, and open up sooner.

Staff work with more confidence, less emotional strain, and fewer crises.

Clients feel safer,
stay engaged, and open up sooner.

Staff work with more confidence, less emotional strain, and fewer crises.

Your whole centre builds a consistent, compassionate culture.

Your whole centre builds a consistent, compassionate culture.

The Voyage® brings two core training programmes to treatment settings, designed for every role in your organisation.


The Voyage® brings two core training programmes to
treatment settings, designed
for every role in your organisation.

The Voyage® training packages:

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The Voyage® Training Pathway for Treatment Centres

Trauma & Addiction Masterclass - 4.5 Hours

Format: Either Pre-recorded or delivered live with Q and A.

  • The trauma–addiction connection explained.
  • Why relapse prevention must include nervous system literacy.
  • Shame reduction and compassionate language.
  • Practical regulation tools you can apply immediately.

💡 This is an ideal entry point for centres who want an affordable, accessible first step into trauma-aware training.  For centre licensing and group purchases - please get in touch. 

 

Essentials - Half-Day (Clinic Edition)

Audience: All staff - clinical, support, admin, hospitality, management.
 Delivery: Live (on-site or online) or Off-the-Shelf Licence (manuals, slides, workbook).

Staff learn to:

  • Recognise trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, flop, fawn) in real time.
  • Respond safely instead of escalating or shaming.
  • Use trauma-sensitive language - what to say, what not to say.
  • Practise regulation before revelation: safety before story.
  • Hold boundaries and role clarity that protect both staff and clients.
  • Apply micro-practices that calm distress and reduce incidents.

Outcomes for your centre:

  • Safer disclosures and calmer groups.
  • Fewer restraints, escalations, and incidents.
  • A consistent, compassionate culture across all roles.

“Every staff interaction can regulate or dysregulate a client’s nervous system — from housekeeping to reception to therapy.” - SAMHSA, 2014

 

TAPT - Trauma-Aware Professionals Training (2.5–3 Days, Clinic Edition)

Audience: Clinical and therapeutic staff - counsellors, therapists, group facilitators, case managers.
 Delivery: Bespoke live intensive (Lou or Andrea Breakwell + co-facilitator) or Off-the-Shelf Licence.

Core content:

  • Trauma foundations: nervous system, dissociation, attachment.
  • Parts work: how to safely engage protectors and exiles in addiction.
  • Shame: how it drives relapse and how to meet it compassionately.
  • Belief systems: why they hold clients back, and how to shift them.
  • Boundaries & pacing: regulation before revelation.
  • Group facilitation: safety, projection, and shame in groups.
  • Therapist sustainability: presence, vicarious trauma, and self-care.
     

Outcomes for your centre:

  • Skilled clinicians who reduce re-traumatisation.
  • A common trauma-aware framework across disciplines.
  • Stronger therapeutic alliances, fewer client drop-outs.
  • Reduced staff turnover and burnout.

“This training completely changed how I work with my clients. I finally feel I understand what’s happening in the room and how to respond safely.” - Therapist, UK

 

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Voyage Trauma Pathways™ (30 / 60 / 90 Day Tracks) - Coming Soon

A licensable spiral curriculum for rehabilitation settings.

Includes:

  • Structured stabilisation → light processing → integration phases.
  • Facilitator manuals + client workbooks.
  • Annual licence to operate as a Voyage® Trauma-Aware Centre.

Launch: 2026 (early adopter pilots opening soon).

Delivery & Licensing Options

  • Masterclass (4h): Evergreen or live.
  • Essentials (½-day): Live or Off-the-Shelf Licence.
  • TAPT (2.5–3 days): Bespoke live or Off-the-Shelf Licence.
  • Trauma Pathways: Licensed 30/60/90-day tracks (pilot/coming).
  • Ongoing Supervision: Group supervision packages available.

Testimonials

The transformational experience of The Voyage is like no other. It reaffirmed what I thought I knew and deepened my existing knowledge. On the Voyage, I was able to truly embody all that Lou's training has to offer, allowing me to be the best and most regulated version of myself for my clients and their families.

Natasha Silver Bell - Silverbell Global 

Not only have I learned so much about myself, but I've also discovered how all the dots are connected to where I am now. From my experiences as a wounded adoptee to adulthood, I always viewed trauma as the cause of most 'problems' but could never articulate it. Viewing life in general from a trauma-informed lens is like seeing things and people for what they truly are. I am so grateful to be a 'trauma-informed nurse.' Now, I can actually see, help, and support my clients and bring back the 'kind' in humankind. Thank you, Lou, for giving me this key that can open so many doors for me.

Helen - Nurse

My ego was immediately disarmed by Lou Lebentz's soft voice and pneumatic tone. She delved into the depths of my consciousness and suffering, then showed me that the only way out is through—all this without a word from me or any discussion of my personal trauma. She is truly gifted. I recommend her work as a necessary tool for anyone on a path of self-discovery. What resonated most with me was being given the opportunity to be trauma-informed from mind, body, and soul. Having this global perspective was illuminating. I am excited to apply all that I have learned.

Phoebe @ SBG

Big takeaway was that I left feeling nourished. Three days in close proximity with such good people. The Voyage knew exactly what it was. It was seamless to immerse in from the beginning, middle, and end. Lou’s vision is impressive. She is an incredible human being, and exposed herself in the most unbelievably vulnerable way. I learned a huge amount from her, specifically how to open up to my own opportunities of growth in that area of my past — the entire experience sharpened my instincts. The whole weekend was very healing, very transformative.

Sam Scott - Coach

Great visuals, I absolutely love the metaphors and how beautifully they are depicted. The ocean imagery is a balm to my heart. It was wonderful that the sessions could be interactive, allowing questions at any time. Your ability to see and listen to other people's opinions and points of view is so commendable.

I appreciated how quickly the concepts could be applied to my personal life, enabling me to grow compassionately, both personally and professionally. Your flexibility in all regards (smoke breaks, timing, etc.) was greatly appreciated.

The content resonated with the neurobiology aspect, which rekindled my fascination with biology and physiology. It was really easy to follow and just made so much sense!

Anonymous Employee - Treatment Centre South Africa 

The Voyage is a methodology I will make my own in the work I do.

Well researched. Relatable. Universal. Powerful.

BRILLIANT!

Lou is changing the world & I’m forever grateful that she touched my spirit so I can touch others.

Mandy - Oasis Centre

Lou’s work is astounding, and each person from our team was able to take so much more into our work with our clients, from different professions and backgrounds.

The presentation was clear, precise, detailed and inspirational. As we walked towards and discovered together the whole of humanity. The pain, the joy, the suffering, the love.

- Kathryn - Oasis, South Africa

The Voyage® Main Trainer

Lou Lebentz

Fellow ACCHPH, MUKCP, Adv Dip Lou is the lead trainer and presenter. Lou is a highly respected and well-known international trainer, psychotherapist, trauma clinician, inspirational speaker and Founder of The Voyage®.

Lou worked for over a decade in Rehab at the Priory Hospital in Roehampton, after coming into addiction and trauma recovery herself. Having worked in the trauma field for well over two decades now, Lou’s mission is to create a trauma-informed world. Starting by educating those within the field and already exposed to working with people with a trauma history.

Through her own extensive experience in both rehabs and private practice, Lou has now developed her own programme of trauma-informed training that will equip people with, not just the knowledge and a well-regulated nervous system, but also the practical skills needed to work with people in a fully trauma-informed way.

The Voyage® Co-Trainer

Andrea Breakwell

MSc MBACP, FDAP, is a highly experienced psychotherapist with over 25 years in the addiction and trauma field. She has held senior roles across leading treatment centres including the Priory, Blenheim Project, Turning Point, and APN, and is now a consultant for Camino Recovery in Spain as well as a sessional therapist at Portobello Behavioural Health.

Specialising in both harm minimisation and abstinence-based approaches, Andrea integrates neuroscience, relational therapy, and trauma-informed care. Her expertise includes advanced training in Pia Mellody’s Post Induction Therapy, sex addiction therapy with Paula Hall, and transpersonal couples therapy.

With her own lived experience of addiction, Andrea brings both clinical depth and authenticity to her work, making her especially skilled at supporting individuals, couples, and families within treatment centre settings.

Janina Fisher 2000

"We must understand HOW the addictive substances have helped the trauma patient to survive: that is, which trauma symptoms have they been attempting to treat through their drinking and drugging?”

Public Health Network Cymru 2021

"Almost 50% of adults in England and Wales experienced one adverse childhood experience (ACE), with one in ten suffering four or more."

Gabor Mate 2012

"Childhood emotional loss and trauma, then, provide both the experiential, psycho-emotional and physiological template for addiction."

Clinics or Rehabs Trained

Conducting training within a treatment facility or clinic does not constitute an endorsement. It indicates that the centre has participated in a 2-3 day educational program focused on the trauma-informed principles of The Voyage® Methodology. 

Ready to equip your centre? 

Whether you start with the Masterclass, roll out Essentials, or commit to TAPT and future Trauma Pathways, we’ll tailor the right package for your setting. 

Your clients and your team will reap the benefits of a trauma-informed approach which all The Voyage® programmes elegantly enable.

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