Fed up with another well-meaning but naive facilitator

Have you ever been in a workshop and felt your chest tighten when a facilitator sets up an activity?

Or experienced your mind suddenly going blank when you were just asked to “share your thoughts with the group”?

Our nervous systems are incredible protectors. When something in a learning environment feels uncertain or too exposing, our bodies react to keep us safe long before our conscious brains realise. 

For many people who are neurodivergent, or who live with the after effects of trauma exposure, that reaction is even quicker. A flicker of overwhelm can send us into shutdown or activate the urge to arc up and fight or opt out and flee the room. 

The problem is, many facilitators aren’t aware of how activating their content may be, so they don't know how to make the accommodations we need in their learning environments. They assume everyone can “lean in” at the same pace, be inspired by the same content, and stay regulated in the same way.

But learning can’t happen when we’re bracing for impact.

I hit my limit one day, after yet another well meaning but naive facilitator created a triggering experience. The funny thing was, it was a session on Internal Family Systems, a topic that I love because I’ve gained so much insight from its approach. 

The session was a part of an otherwise brilliant coaching program. But, as I read through the description for this workshop, the energy drained from my body. I just knew that the facilitator wasn’t ready to hold a psychologically safe space (online or in person) for people with trauma exposure. 

That was the moment I decided to start reaching out to facilitators ahead of time to ask questions and get a better understanding of what to expect in their workshops. I wanted to make sure I had the information I needed to stay grounded, resourced, and ready to learn. 

And realised that if I needed this, then others would need it too. 

That’s how the Designed Differently, Learning Brilliantly guide came into being.

It’s a free, practical, empowering guide to help you reach out to facilitators with confidence, without feeling awkward or apologetic.

Because we all deserve to learn in environments that honour our nervous systems and our needs.