Traditional models of suicide prevention often center around managing risk, controlling outcomes, or intervening from a place of fear. But what if suicidal distress is not just a crisis—but a call for presence, respect, and transformational attention?
Rather than simply managing immediate risk, we turn toward attending to long-term meaning and growth. We learn to co-create safety through nervous system regulation, shame-sensitive dialogue, and resource-based planning—building a life where suicide becomes unnecessary in the long term.
This is a paradigm shift—from “rescuing,” to ‘’attending to”.
Overview
>This is a 2-day experiential workshop rooted in the teachings of Dr. Gabor Maté and Compassionate Inquiry’s Suicide Attention Training, facilitated by Irina Ungureanu — Somatic Therapist and Co-Creator of the Suicide Attention Training.
It is designed to support professionals in confidently and compassionately responding to suicidal distress, both clinically and in communities.
You’ll be introduced to trauma-informed, polyvagal-aware tools that allow you to meet suicidality with depth, understanding, and connection.
Through a blend of guided practices, theoretical material, and embodied learning, participants learn how to hold space for suicidal experiences—both in others and themselves—with curiosity rather than fear.
Who This Workshop Is For
This training is designed for:
- Therapists & Counsellors
- Psychologists & Social Workers
- Coaches & Educators
- Healthcare Professionals
- Crisis Support Workers
- Community Leaders & Caregivers
If you support others navigating emotional pain, trauma, or suicidal thoughts—this workshop invites a new lens and new tools for your practice.
What You’ll Learn
Participants will:
- Deepen understanding of Suicide Attention vs. Prevention
- Strengthen capacity to hold space for suicidal distress with compassion and curiosity
- Explore polyvagal-informed safety and stabilization techniques
- Uncover biopsychosocial factors, core beliefs, unmet needs & shame dynamics
- Support reintegration through parts-based and self-compassion approaches
- Craft resource-based safety plans—for present crisis and long-term meaning-making
How We’ll Learn
This workshop balances didactic teaching, experiential learning, and guided integration, including:
- Small group exercises & inquiry
- Embodied and somatic practices
- Reflective dialogue & self-exploration
- Practical tools and clinical frameworks
- Integration of trauma theory & nervous system awareness
MEET THE FACILITATOR
Irina Ungureanu
Somatic Therapist & Co-Creator, Suicide Attention Training
Irina is a trauma-informed somatic therapist, educator and group facilitator, specializing in her private practice in support for suicidal distress, mood disorders, addictions and psychedelic integration. She is a public speaker, trainer and lecturer on personal development and mental health, and for the past 17 years has been facilitating and leading circles and support groups for drama therapy, body-mind connection, addictions and trauma integration through creative arts.
Her work for over a decade as lecturer, scientific researcher and consultant for the National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest has informed her teaching and practice with traumatized individuals and groups. She further trained in trauma treatment, neurobiology, Structural Dissociation and interventions for suicidal crisis and self harm. Irina is a Compassionate Inquiry certified practitioner. She has been a facilitator of the Suicide Attention space – monthly meetings of support within the CI training, as well as coordinator of the Suicide Prevention and Support Team within CI – for anyone in the training that might be experiencing suicidal distress, and co-creator of the Suicide Attention Training.
Continuing her own trauma recovery journey and lived experience, Irina found CI to be an eye-opening modality to regain our wholeness and restore the body-mind-spirit balance. She is grateful and passionate in supporting others on their path to trauma healing, by providing a safe compassionate holding for growth, self-discovery and life-affirming awareness.
Details:
Dates: December 6 & 7, 2025
Venue: Montfort Spirituality Center, Indiranagar, Bengaluru
