Conflict Transformation, Collective Healing & Social Justice: Somatics, Deep Democracy & Transformative Justice

Application & Practice - Course Overview

Instructors

• Kai Cheng Thom, MSW, MSc, Qualified Mediator, Master Jungian Life Coach 

• Sera Thompson, Master Facilitator and Deep Democracy Elder

Why This Training Matters

Social change leaders, healing justice practitioners, and activists today face seriously challenging conditions: Rising authoritarianism, political polarization, and the fragmentation of social movements all pose significant threats to freedom, dignity, equity, and belonging for all. Over the past decade, progressive movements have struggled to find ways to resolve interpersonal conflicts, strengthen solidarity, and build the “big tent” needed to bring people of diverse experiences and perspectives together in order to overcome oppression and create a better world.  

The field of social transformation is in deep need of medicine for our times: Skills for being with and holding tension, conflict and polarity. Skills for bringing groups together across differences for the sake of common values and common struggle. Skills for healing and transforming the collective in the wake of violence and tragedy in order to find strength and shared power.

What You’ll Learn

1) Foundational somatic (embodied) skills for resilience and community-building

• Use simple yet powerful somatic practices to support self-compassion and work with emotions in yourself and others

• Learn fun and engaging activities that you can use to help others connect and start to engage with community
    

2) Embodied Listening & Dialogue techniques that will allow you to deepen conversations and transform group dynamics

• Read the signs and signals that show you where hidden tensions and resentments may be affecting the emotional experience of a group

• Facilitate conversations that bring in all voices and reveal the wisdom of dissent and divergent voices

• Create spaces where everyone can feel heard and valued even when there are differences of opinion and belief

3) Depolarization

• Unlock the wisdom of conflict and its medicine for social movements

• Transform “stuck” conversations and dynamics that have been holding you back from doing the work of social change

• Resolve inner conflict and interpersonal struggles in order to create psychologically safe and healthy groups and organizations
  
  

4) Trauma Informed group process

• Notice, assess, and name the emotional triggers or “edges” that often arise in groups experiencing tension and conflict

• Work safely and compassionately with tender topics while also fostering empowered choice & voice

• Use somatic awareness to build group resilience and collective courage

Who Should Attend

If you are a social justice-oriented healer, leader, facilitator, or activist interested in any of the above, this training is for you.

This course will happen next in Toronto ON, at Studio400

January 8-10, 2026 | 9:30 am to 5 pm

Register here

Equivalent to Level 1 Deep Democracy