Drowning: A Hidden and Common Trauma – What Therapists Need to Know
Learn about the hidden and common trauma of drowning and how therapists can better understand and support individuals affected, in this onli
Date and time
Location
Online
Refund Policy
About this event
- Event lasts 2 hours
Overview
Drowning is a common yet invisible trauma. Most therapists have not been taught to recognise or treat it, despite its widespread impact and often long-term psychological effects.
This two-hour webinar is designed for HCPC-registered practitioner psychologists and BABCP-registered psychotherapists. It explores the clinical relevance of drowning-related trauma, how it shows up in therapy, and how to work with it safely and effectively using evidence-based approaches.
Drawing on clinical experience and trauma frameworks, the session will also cover practical and ethical considerations — including how to assess risk, when to use exposure-based strategies, and what to be aware of when clients are seeking support through swimming, diving, or other water-based activities.
What you’ll learn
By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:
- Define drowning using current international standards and understand why outdated terms like near-drowning are no longer used
- Describe the three clinical outcomes of drowning: fatal, non-fatal with morbidity, and non-fatal without morbidity
- Recognise the diverse contexts and mechanisms in which drowning can occur, including less obvious or overlooked scenarios
- Identify the typical psychological and somatic features of drowning-related trauma
- Examine evidence-based treatment options for working with clients affected by drowning or water-related trauma
- Understand key ethical and safety considerations in exposure-based work involving water
- Reflect on the roles and boundaries of swimming teachers, diving instructors, and therapists
- Evaluate the risks of self-directed exposure (e.g. returning to water without trauma processing)
Format
- Live, online webinar (Zoom)
- 2 hours including presentation, and Q&A
- Includes slides and a certificate of attendance
Introductory Price: £25 (+Eventbrite fee)This is the first time this webinar is being offered. Future sessions are likely to be priced higher.
Dr Laura Walton is a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist and EMDR UK Accredited Practitioner with specialist experience in working with individuals affected by drowning, rip currents, submersion incidents, and water-related trauma. She has worked with clients who have survived drowning, witnessed it, been caught in dangerous conditions such as being left at sea, or experienced early childhood water-related trauma with long-term effects. Laura also has experience as a scuba diving instructor, but her primary clinical focus is on trauma and psychological recovery following incidents in or around water.
Important Notes
- Open to HCPC-registered practitioner psychologists and BABCP-registered psychotherapists only
- Not suitable for trainees or members of the public
- This session will be recorded
Frequently asked questions
This session is open to registered practitioner psychologists and psychotherapists. It is not suitable for trainees, members of the public, or those without recognised professional registration.
Yes. Many people affected by drowning or water-related trauma don’t mention it directly in therapy. This session will help you recognise subtle presentations, formulate more accurately, and ask informed, sensitive questions when relevant.