Trauma-Informed Youth Work – Insight of five-day training
Youth workers, educators, and helping professionals are increasingly encountering young people who have experienced highly stressful or even traumatic life events.
While youth work is not therapy, youth workers are often the first safe adult a young person turns to. A trauma-informed approach helps them create a more inclusive practice that is more accessible for such young people and provides a safer learning environment, all without the need for diagnosing or providing therapy.
Between 5-9 February 2026 in Galyatető, Hungary, Élményakadémia trainers held a five-day training course to learn together about a research-informed, experiential-based approach to trauma-informed youth work.
24 youth workers from across Europe had the chance to participate and learn about:
- Mental Health as a positive resource
- Stress and stress responses
- Trauma and its relation to our nervous system
- Adverse childhood experiences and protective factors
- Psychological first aid
- Emotion-regulation
- Relationship-based support
- Secondary traumatization and resilience
- Boundaries, self-reflection, and self-care, roles in youth work, and cross-sectoral cooperation
When the training came to an end, we asked our participants about their experiences, so you can also gain some insight into these five days.
First, what words come to your mind when you think about trauma-informed approach in youth work?
Lena: Support, Respect, Healing, Connection, Trust
Peter: If I could add a little more, the teenage years are one of the most important stages of becoming an adult. Realizing trauma and starting to deal with it in the early stages can make a substantial difference in an individual’s life.
What do you appreciate the most about this training?
Lena: The facilitators and the participants complemented each other very well. As a group, we created such a supportive atmosphere that by the end of the training, we had learned so much from one another.
The training venue was also very thoughtfully chosen. Spending a week in a calm place, away from the chaos of city life, allowed me to focus on my own body. During the training, I became more aware of my body’s reactions. I don’t think I could have focused on myself so deeply if we had received the same training in a more crowded environment.
Peter: I wholeheartedly appreciated this training for how practical and applicable the topics were, as everything felt useful and ready to put into practice. The holistic approach and the trainers’ deep understanding of trauma made the learning experience insightful and compassionate. I loved the space for questions, the sense of community and connection with fellow participants, as well as the way
the training truly focused on empowering youth workers, giving us confidence and inspiration to support young people – especially the most vulnerable ones – even more effectively.
Thank you!
Which training session was professionally the most useful for you? For what reasons?
Lena: It’s difficult to choose just one, but I’d say the Psychological First Aid session. I really appreciated how it was structured around real-life case studies, as it made it easier to see how the tools and strategies could be applied in my daily work. Furthermore, working in small groups and sharing experiences and perspectives with other professionals helped me understand how to respond calmly and effectively in challenging situations, while also strengthening my confidence in creating a safer and braver environment for youth, in particulary the most vulnerable ones. Thank you!
Peter: The session on brain development and how ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) affect our nervous system will greatly improve my professional work. The information I learned will be very valuable, because many of the families I work with are not aware of the importance of the first three years of their children’s lives. They also often do not understand why their teenage children may be more vulnerable to depression. With this session, I now have tools to work with them on a different level.
We want more youth workers to benefit from this training. Could you share a quick shout-out for future participants? For example:
Why was this worth the time away from your home and work?
What’s the biggest takeaway you’re bringing back to your work?”
Lena: When you work with people, it is essential to continuously improve your skills and deepen your self-awareness. This workshop was worth the time away from home and work because it provided both professional tools and personal growth. I learned practical methods that I can directly apply in my work, especially when supporting individuals affected by trauma.
At the same time, the workshop helped me become more aware of my own body and reactions. This self-awareness is just as important as professional knowledge, because working with people requires emotional presence and regulation. Taking this time away allowed me to reflect, recharge, and return to my work with new perspectives, tools, and a deeper understanding of myself and others.
Peter: It’s been both an honour and a privilege to connect with so many motivated professionals, exchange experiences, and be inspired by them. This training is absolutely worth the time away from home and work, as it provides practical tools, a deeper understanding of trauma, and real hope for supporting (vulnerable) youth.
My biggest takeaway is a clearer approach to the topics covered, along with strategies to create safer and braver environments in my daily work. Connection is one of the most powerful forces for healing, but setting boundaries while building connection is essential — because without boundaries, connection can’t truly exist.
With all my heart, I am truly grateful for this opportunity!
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