Restoring Resilience

Welcome to Restoring Resilience, a renowned establishment located at 218 Whitehorse Road in Balwyn, Australia. As a health-focused institution, we prioritize the well-being and resilience of individuals within the context of their connections and relationships. We believe that individual well-being is deeply intertwined with their social landscape, including their family, peers, schools, organizations, and wider community.

At Restoring Resilience, we have developed a unique framework known as the Restoring Resilience Framework. This framework is a synthesis of Relational Gestalt Theory, Polyvagal Theory, and Somatic Experiencing Interventions. By combining these modalities, we have found a powerful approach to restoring resilience, agency, health, and vitality in individuals, children, families, schools, organizations, and community services.

Relational Gestalt Theory forms the foundation of our programs, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal connections. We place equal emphasis on the relationships between self, others, and the environment, recognizing that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Polyvagal Theory provides us with a map of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which is responsible for our voluntary and involuntary responses. The ANS directly impacts our health and well-being, influencing our physiology, sleep, digestion, immune system, hormones, and more. Chronic stress can disrupt these systems, leading to conditions such as anxiety, depression, rumination, OCD, hyper-vigilance, and emotional dysregulation. Through our interventions, we aim to release trapped stress and overwhelm, resetting the nervous system to restore connection, agency, health, and well-being.

Somatic Experiencing is a key component of our approach, providing interventions to address trauma and promote healing. By partnering with schools, organizations, and community services, Restoring Resilience aims to support better mental health and well-being for individuals, children, and families. Our partnerships create opportunities for collective healing, moving away from fragmented and individualized approaches.

Restoring Resilience is led by Co-Founders Phyllis Traficante and Anna Skolarikis, who are Gestalt psychotherapists, Somatic Experiencing Practitioners, SE Assistants to the trainings, SE Consult Providers, and Clinical Supervisors. Their deep connection and alignment in their passion for supporting growth, health, and well-being led to the development of our unique framework.

We offer a range of GROW Programs, including the Evidence Base GROW Working with Children program, which leads the way in trauma-informed practice with children. Our programs have evolved into a suite of trainings delivered within schools, to parents, organizations, and therapists/counselors. Our offerings include self-care for parents, educators, and therapists, reflective practice, and team resilience building.

Don't just take our word for it – hear what others have to say about our programs: "It is really important information for counseling with a trauma focus, and noticing where people are at, whether they are flooded or flowing. A whole lot of new skills for my toolbox that increase my confidence to do the work safely. The focus on physiology brings a fresh perspective of 'being with' a person."

Join us at Restoring Resilience to embark on a transformative journey towards healing, growth, and well-being. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription and stay updated on our latest offerings.