Switch on Security

A Two-Day In-Person Introduction to Attachment for Adoptees 

20 - 21 August, 2026

Sunshine Coast, Qld

 

Proudly funded by Relationships Australia, NSW

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When the nervous system has never truly known secure attachment, relationships can feel unfamiliar, challenging or even dangerous.

 

For many adoptees, attachment isn’t just theory. It lives in the body: in hypervigilance, people-pleasing, fear of rejection, difficulty trusting or the ache of longing to belong. These patterns are not flaws; they are intelligent survival responses to early rupture and loss.

Switch on Security is a compassionate 2-day experiential program for adoptees wanting to better understand attachment through a somatic lens. Together, we’ll explore the nervous system patterns shaped by adoption and begin cultivating a greater sense of safety, connection and earned security within ourselves and in relationship with others.

This program is generously funded by Relationships Australia NSW, making it accessible to those who seek healing, understanding and restoration within the adoption experience.

Register Your Interest Today

Do you long for deeper connection but find it hard to fully trust, relax or feel safe with others?

 

Do you often feel “too much,” “not enough,” or afraid of being rejected, abandoned or unseen?

 

Are you tired of living in survival mode: overthinking, people-pleasing, hyper-independence or constantly bracing for disconnection?

 

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY.

This workshop offers a compassionate space for adoptees to explore attachment through the nervous system and early relational experiences. Through somatic practices, you’ll begin to understand survival patterns and gently build greater safety, connection and earned security within yourself and relationships.

 

 
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TODAY AND TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD HEALING AND CONNECTION...
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INTRODUCING

Attachment Theory

Attachment theory explores how our earliest relationships shape the way we experience safety, connection and trust in adulthood. It helps us understand why we move toward, away from or become overwhelmed in relationships, especially under stress.

For adoptees, attachment theory offers a powerful lens for making sense of experiences that can otherwise feel confusing or personal. It can bring clarity, reduce self-blame and open the door to working with survival patterns in a way that supports healing and deeper connection.

This Workshop Offers:

Understanding Attachment Patterns

A clear, adoptee-informed view of attachment through a nervous system lens, helping you make sense of relational patterns without self-blame.

Somatic Tools for Survival Responses

Practical, embodied practices to notice, work with and gently soften survival strategies as they arise in real time.

Building Earned Security

A supportive experiential space to cultivate greater internal safety, connection, and stability in yourself and your relationships.

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Workshop Overview

DAY ONE - 20 August

Understanding the Map of Attachment

 

We begin by exploring attachment theory through an adoptee-informed and nervous system lens. You’ll learn how early relational experiences shape survival patterns such as hypervigilance, disconnection, people-pleasing and emotional shutdown. This day is about clarity, recognition and making sense of your lived experience in a way that reduces self-blame and increases understanding.

 

DAY TWO - 21 August

Working with the Nervous System and Building Earned Security

 

The second day focuses on healing, acknowledgement and reconnection. Building on the insights from Day 1, participants will continue with constellation work designed to honour unspoken grief, recognise losses and open pathways toward belonging. We will explore ways to create healthier connections within ourselves and with our families, integrating experiential, somatic and reflective practices to embody new understanding. The workshop concludes with a closing circle, consolidating experiences and insights and offering space for participants to leave with a sense of closure, renewed connection and empowerment in their adoption journey.

 

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What Others
Have Experienced

BE INSPIRED

"Margarete  is an incredibly intuitive and deeply authentic facilitator and teacher, with decades of leadership in the field of Systemic/Family constellation work. Her heart-led approach and profound understanding of systemic dynamics create a compassionate and safe space where true healing and transformation can unfold.

Personally, working with Margarete has been life changing. Her insightful guidance helped me uncover and release long-held patterns within my family system, leading to powerful shifts in my relationships and inner clarity. Her presence is both grounding and uplifting, and the impact of her work continues to resonate deeply in my life which I am very grateful for.

With her decades of experience and genuine dedication, Margarete is a rare and invaluable guide for anyone seeking heartfelt, authentic growth through systemic work. I highly recommend Margarete & know you will feel completely supported." 

 
- Cecilia Cifaratti

"Monique has an incredible gift for creating safety, nourishing experiences and fun. I can't recommend her as a facilitator enough.  It's such a pleasure to have the opportunity to tap into her depth of knowledge and experience."

 
- Betsy Hansen

How It Works.

 

Systemic & Family Constellations is a guided process that helps reveal hidden dynamics and patterns within families and systems. During the workshop:

  1. Setting the Scene – You may share a question, concern or area of your life you want to explore.

  2. Representation – Participants may stand in as representatives for family members, adoptees or other elements of your system.

  3. Observation & Insight – Through the felt sense, movement, placement and interactions of representatives, hidden patterns and unresolved dynamics become visible.

  4. Resolution & Healing – Facilitators guide gentle restorative interventions to acknowledge, honour and re-balance these dynamics, creating space for understanding, healing and connection.

No prior experience is required. You can participate as a representative, or simply observe and witness, knowing your presence contributes to the process.

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Hi! I'm Margarete.

YOUR WORKSHOP LEAD FACILITATOR

 

Margarete Koenning is a Social Worker, Senior Gestalt Psychotherapist and highly experienced Systemic & Family Constellations facilitator and trainer. She has dedicated four decades to supporting individuals, families and communities to navigate complex relational and systemic challenges.

Margarete’s approach combines clinical knowledge, experiential therapy and the transformative power of constellations to gently uncover hidden patterns, reconcile unresolved dynamics and promote healing. Known for her sensitivity, depth, humour and warmth, she creates safe spaces where participants can explore difficult stories, witness each other’s experiences and open pathways toward restoration, connection and belonging.

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Hi! I'm Monique.

YOUR WORKSHOP CO-FACILITATOR

 

Monique Pangari is a proud Wiradjiri woman, adoptee, therapist, somatic experiencing practitioner and group facilitator specialising in post adoption, complex trauma, attachment and somatic healing. With extensive experience supporting individuals and families impacted by early separation, loss and adoption, Monique integrates somatic practices, expressive therapies and nature-based approaches to create safe, transformative spaces for healing.

Her work is informed by over 20 years of experience in trauma-sensitive facilitation and she is known for her compassionate, insightful and grounding presence. Monique’s approach blends professional expertise with lived understanding of adoption, helping participants explore hidden dynamics, honour unspoken stories and cultivate a deeper sense of belonging and connection.

Register Your Interest Today

This workshop offers a rare opportunity to gently uncover hidden adoption dynamics, honour unspoken stories and experience deep healing in safe, supportive space—something many adoptees and birth parents have been longing for but rarely find in one place.

 

 

THIS IS WHAT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR.

Additional
Testimonials

BE INSPIRED...

"Monique is marvelous, present, safe, groovy, caring, joyful, open and full of wisdom. It wouldn't surprise me if I stumbled across her walking in a magical forest in a little cabin, fire place warm and door open to share her wisdom."

 
- Jane Ashton

"I can’t recommend Margarete highly enough. Her 40 years of experience as a Gestalt therapist and family constellations practitioner and educator, places her as an elder in her field. She exudes warmth, wisdom and compassion, with a grounded and joyful presence that conveys palpably her lived experience and professional eldership.

 
- Nicholas Payne

This could be you!


Are you ready to uncover hidden patterns,

honour your story and take the first step

toward healing and belonging?

 

FOLLOW THESE THREE STEPS 
Register Your Interest

Space is limited, so register your interest to participate by clicking below.

Warm Intake Process

We'll connect with you to ensure the workshop is a good fit for your needs.

Confirm Your Spot

Once confirmed, we'll secure your place so you can prepare to engage in a safe, supportive space for healing.

Register Your Interest Today

Registration Closes In:

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Frequently Asked Questions

ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE

What You'll Gain.

 

  • Clarity and Insight: Understand hidden family dynamics and how adoption has shaped identity, relationships and belonging.

  • Healing and Integration: Honour unspoken stories and grief, creating space for emotional integration and reconciliation.

  • Connection and Support: Experience a safe, supportive group environment where you can witness and be witnessed.

  • Empowerment and Belonging: Take steps toward reclaiming your story, fostering a renewed sense of self and connection to others.

 

Register Your Interest Today

Workshop Practicalities

Sunshine Coast, Qld

 

When: Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 November, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM each day
Lunch: Healthy vegetarian lunch provided

Who: This workshop is for adoptees and parents impacted by past forced adoption policies and practices

  • The workshop will be held in Diddillibah in a nurturing studio overlooking rainforest, with air conditioning, free on-street parking, bathroom amenities and a fully equipped kitchen including fridge, microwave, cutlery and crockery. Tea, coffee and filtered water will also be supplied. Venue details will be provided once your spot is confirmed, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all participants.
  • Accomodation and travel will be the participants responsibility, and not included in the small grant funding.
  • Spaces are limited. Register your interest today.
Register Your Interest Here