“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed people can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
MARGARET MEAD
Friend of COTWA
Eligibility Criteria
- Anyone who supports the values and objectives of COTWA
Benefits
Are you a survivor? Someone who loves a survivor? Perhaps you are a psychotherapist who wants to learn more about complex trauma? A trauma-informed General Practitioner? A parent wanting to protect your child? Perhaps you appreciate the information shared on this website?
COTWA wants to increase public and professional awareness of complex trauma in various communities across Western Australia; and advocate for trauma-informed care on behalf of survivors.
>If you would like to register your interest in and support of COTWA’s work in Western Australia, please click on the button below. It costs nothing to be a friend of COTWA.
If you share your contact details with us, we will be in touch when projects are rolled out that might be of interest to you.
Associate Membership
Eligibility Criteria
- Based in Western Australia
- Have a general interest in complex trauma
- Support the objects of the Association
Benefits
- Can take part in the discussions of the affairs of COTWA at any general meeting of COTWA
- Invitation to one PD event per annum relevant to both non-professional and professional members
- Access to COTWA’s Members area
- Access to COTWA’s Resource library
Please note: COTWA Associate Membership does not include voting rights at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Professional Membership
Eligibility Criteria
- Based in Western Australia
- Hold a current unrestricted practicing certificate with full membership from one of the following Australian regulatory bodies
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- - Medical Board
- - Psychology Board
- - Occupational Therapy Board
- - Nursing and Midwifery Board
- - Physiotherapy Board
- - Dental Board
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA)
- Reproductive Technology Council (RTC)
- Hairdressers Registration Board of Western Australia (HRBWA)
- Other (please contact us to discuss)
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Applications for professional membership from individuals in organisational settings that offer services to people with a history of complex trauma will be assessed on a case-by case basis. Please contact us using the form at the bottom of the page for advice.
Required documents (for upload in the application form)
- Current unrestricted practising certificate with full membership from eligible Australian regulatory body.
Benefits
COTWA Professional Membership gives you access to opportunities for professional development, education, support, and the exchange of information across communities of health professionals and other service providers who work with Western Australian survivors of complex trauma.
- Access to COTWA’s Members area
- Access to COTWA’s members-only Facebook discussion group
- Access to COTWA’s professional development workshops relevant to professional members
- Access to a regularly updated international Professional Development Calendar
- Access to COTWA’s Resource library
- Access to organisational support to join trauma-informed peer groups
Clinical Membership
Eligibility Criteria
- Must already be a COTWA Professional Member
- Have a minimum of 3 years full-time or equivalent professional experience working as a trauma-informed therapist in direct clinical service delivery with people with a history of complex trauma
- Demonstrate knowledge and training in trauma-specific treatment practices to facilitate trauma recovery for people who have experienced complex trauma
- Meet the high standard of practice requirements set by Blue Knot Foundation, Australia’s National Centre of Excellence for complex trauma (your application will be shared with Blue Knot Foundation for assessment and approval)
- Can provide two written references from clinical supervisors (NOTE: you may provide one reference from a clinical supervisor and one reference from a professional colleague)
Required documents (for upload in the application form)
- Current curriculum vitae
- Two signed references
Benefits
COTWA promotes best-practice service delivery for people with a history of complex trauma in Western Australia. To this end, we want to support the growth of a local trauma-trained community of service providers.
Professional members who meet Blue Knot Foundation’s rigorous assessment of their clinical competence in international best-practice requirements for working with complex trauma, can register as COTWA Clinical Members in recognition of the professional time and resources spent on acquiring trauma-specific specialist expertise.
If you are a trauma-trained Professional Member with a minimum of 3 years full-time or equivalent professional experience working in direct clinical service delivery with people with a history of complex trauma, please complete an application for Clinical Membership in the Members Area.
Clinical Members have the added benefit of being included in Blue Knot Foundation’s national referral database; and are eligible to list their service on COTWA’s spatial directory.
Access to a professional support network of other service providers, who understand the unique rewards and challenges of working with complex trauma
Regular high-quality, local, and trauma-specific professional development opportunities offered at a discounted cost for COTWA members
A complex-trauma specific and confidential electronic communication platform to engage with fellow COTWA members across metropolitan and rural Western Australia
Clinical Members are eligible for inclusion in our one-of-its-kind state-based service directory that recognises trauma-specific clinical expertise; and is accessible to primary health-care and other service providers and members of the public alike
Facilitation of information seminars and other professional development opportunities to Primary Health Networks and affiliated organisations and services (coming soon)
A regularly updated professional-development calendar of major local, national, and international complex trauma events
Organisational support for the establishment of trauma-informed peer supervision groups
A curated online library of complex trauma specific resources
A commitment to advocate for trauma-informed service to people with a lived experience of complex trauma across industries, inclusive of improved public-private-NGO service pathways