Are you a Trauma specialist? Partner with us to help grow a trauma-informed community!

Are you a Trauma specialist?

Join COTWA

Join CotWA

Membership options

Help grow a trauma-informed community in Western Australia by joining Complex Trauma WA

Associate
Membership

30

Annually

Join a community of people with a shared interest in complex trauma. As an assoicate member, you’ll help support COTWA’s goals of raising awareness and understanding of trauma.

  • Based in Western Australia
  • Have a general interest in complex trauma
  • Support the objects of the Association

Please note: COTWA Associate Membership does not include voting rights at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)

  • 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 Resource library
Apply

Professional
Membership

150

Annually

Access opportunities for professional development, education, support, and the exchange of information across communities of professionals who work with survivors of complex trauma.

  • 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)
  • 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.

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-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 organisational support to join trauma-informed peer groups
Apply

Clinical
Membership

0

Annually

Clinical Members are included in Blue Knot Foundation’s national referral database and are eligible to list their services on COTWA’s Find a Trauma Therapist spatial directory

  • Must first apply for COTWA Professional Membership
  • 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

  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Two signed references
    (One referee must be a clinical supervisor who can confirm your expertise as a trauma-trained practitioner. Referees will need to provide details about how long they’ve known you, the context of your relationship, how often they’ve interacted with you, their knowledge of your complex-trauma casework, and whether they would recommend you as a competent trauma-informed practitioner)
  • Be featured in Blue Knot Foundation’s national referral database of health practitioners and organisations that have experience in supporting adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse.
  • Showcase your profile and services in our own spatial directory
Enquire

“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

Membership benefits

Professional Network

Access to a professional support network of other service providers, who understand the unique rewards and challenges of working with complex trauma

Professional Development

Regular high-quality, local, and trauma-specific professional development opportunities offered at a discounted cost for COTWA members

COTWA Directory Listing

Clinical Members are eligible for inclusion in our one-of-its-kind state-based service directory that recognises trauma-specific clinical expertise;

Event Calendar

A professional-development calendar of local, national, and international events

Support Groups

Organisational support for the establishment of trauma-informed peer supervision groups

Complex Trauma Resources

A curated online library of professional-specific complex trauma resources

Advocacy

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