Navigating post production work on traumatic content

As part of the Your life at work strand, we're offering training aimed at sharing workplace best practice as well as how you and your teams can stay healthy, happy, and productive, both in work and when looking for your next opportunity.

This session draws on insights and reflections from all levels of TV Production across true crime, blue light programmes, films and documentaries.

When work involves trauma/distress, this is not the same as stress. This training is unique in that it focuses on when stress tips into distress. Why? Because distress impacts the mind and body in a different way to stress and understanding this is crucial to effective self-care.

Working in post-production often involves immense pressure, and there can be a psychological toll too if the work is on distressing content. The TV Industry Human Rights Forum’s report highlights systemic issues including excessive workloads, unrealistic deadlines and a lack of safeguarding, making trauma-informed practices essential. Using science-backed methods and a human-centred approach, this training session equips participants with strategies to develop self-awareness, exercise effective self-care and offer safe support to colleagues when work involves exposure to trauma/distress. 

The training is designed for fast-paced, (sometimes) high-pressured work environments. The self-care techniques shared are based on science and designed to be woven into busy days.

This session is supported by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from broadcasters, SVoDs and production companies.

Who it's for

This training is suitable for all members of unscripted TV teams who may be exposed to distressing or sensitive content. Whether this exposure is brief or longer term, the impact may arise at any time- even years later. This is a training session designed to enable participants working in post-production to develop awareness around trauma responses, to exercise effective self-care and offer safe support to colleagues. 

We generally require applicants to have at least 3 credits (unless working in a traditionally uncredited role). If you strongly feel you would still benefit from the training, please email USF@screenskills.com.

We are committed to ensuring all our courses are accessible to everyone. Please email the above address with any access requirements so that we can make the arrangements you need.

What it covers

• Neuroscience of distress: An overview of how trauma impacts the brain and nervous system differently from stress, along with strategies for self-regulation.
• Recognising symptoms: How to identify signs of trauma and distress in oneself and others.
• Integrative self-care techniques: Evidence-based tools to build resilience, designed to fit into busy schedules.
• Developing a shared language: Practical tools for openly discussing trauma and distress, reducing stigma, and enhancing team communication.
• Real-life examples: Scenarios illustrating effective ways to address trauma responses, with guidance on when to seek further support.

The training session is interactive, educational and experiential, incorporating small-group work. All exercises are optional.

Recognising that these are sensitive subjects, the training is designed with safety, regulation and empowerment at its core.

Trainers

Camilla Wells (Industry coach, trainer and consultant) founded Catch Yourself and co-founded Trauma Informed Law - offering specialist support in TV and Legal Industries to teams and individuals encountering trauma in their work. She is proud to have rolled out her training programmes extensively across the Industry with clients including major broadcasters, networks, production companies and freelancers. From the creation of bespoke one off training sessions for a particularly traumatic project to training entire production companies, Camilla has experience of training across several roles in TV. Prior to setting up Catch Yourself, Camilla was a barrister, specialising in family law and crime. Her cases involved trauma, including: drug trafficking, sexual assaults, violence, domestic violence, child abuse, abduction.

Camilla regularly trains with Rebecca Norris and they have a team of psychologists, coaches and a neuroscientist supporting their work.

She is passionate about safeguarding the well-being of those who work hard to tackle the most challenging aspects of human nature. She is proud to be one of the first to bring awareness to this extremely important subject.

Rebecca Norris (Barrister, coach and consultant) co-founded Trauma Informed Law and specialises in supporting teams and individuals navigating trauma-based content and responses.

Rebecca integrates her extensive legal experience with specialised training in trauma and somatic practices. She is familiar with the complexities of diverse settings and needs including working in prisons, navigating court proceedings, the dynamics of corporate environments and supporting individuals affected by domestic abuse and addiction.

She has particular expertise in trauma-informed communication and interviewing techniques, equipping both interviewers and interviewees to handle sensitive material with confidence and compassion. She provides targeted training, consultancy and coaching for high-stakes, high-stress environments where exposure to distressing content is routine.

How to apply

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘get ticket’ at the top of the page and follow the instructions to book your place; you must login or register before you are able to book your place.

Our courses are popular and often book up quickly. If you are no longer able to attend, we ask you to please use the “decline ticket” function on the right-hand side of the page so that we can release your place to someone on the waiting list.