Friday, 16 October 2026
Chair
Paul Conte, Principal Financial Adviser | Health & Finance Integrated, Health & Finance Integrated
Practice Management & Business Skills
Trauma-Informed Client Care
Unpack the principles of trauma-informed practice and explore how they can be applied to client care within your legal practice. Gain an understanding of how trauma can affect a client’s behaviour, communication, memory, decision-making and engagement with your legal services and explore practical strategies for creating safer, more supportive and effective interactions with clients who may be affected by trauma.
Consider how trauma-informed approaches can be incorporated throughout the client journey, from initial contact and communication through to managing complex, distressed or emotionally heightened interactions. Also understand the importance of recognising the impact that trauma-related work can have on you and your team and maintaining sustainable practices that support both effective client care and practitioner wellbeing.
- Understanding trauma-informed client care: the key principles and their relevance to legal practice
- How trauma can affect client engagement including communication, memory, behaviour, decision-making and interactions with legal services
- Trauma-informed communication and interactions: practical strategies for building trust, promoting safety and supporting client choice and participation
- Responding to distressed or complex clients: approaches for managing emotionally heightened or challenging interactions while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
- Supporting safe and sustainable practice: recognising the impact of trauma-related work and the importance of practitioner wellbeing
Presented by Valeria Capasso-Kruck, Acting Manager, Trauma Informed Practice, Knowmore Legal Services and Alexis Polidano, Acting Principal Lawyer, Knowmore Legal Service
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD Unit in Practice Management & Business Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Presenters
Alexis Polidano, Acting Principal Lawyer, Knowmore Legal Service
Alexis Polidano is the Acting Principal Lawyer at Knowmore Legal Service and a passionate advocate for trauma-informed legal practice. Since joining Knowmore in 2017, she has worked extensively with people who have experienced trauma, leading legal teams and driving initiatives to improve client-centred service delivery, legal capability, and access to justice for survivors. Drawing on her experience at Legal Aid NSW and her background as a high-school teacher, Alexis combines practical legal expertise with a deep understanding of communication, learning, and the impacts of trauma. She is committed to helping legal professionals build the skills and confidence to deliver services that are legally effective, culturally safe, and grounded in compassion.
Valeria Capasso-Kruck, Acting Manager, Trauma Informed Practice, Knowmore Legal Services
Valeria Capasso-Kruck is the Acting Manager, Trauma Informed Practice at Knowmore Legal Service, where she has worked for the past six years. With extensive experience in trauma-informed practice, she provides leadership and guidance in supporting safe, person-centred approaches to service delivery. Valeria holds a Master of Counselling and has worked across addiction and trauma services before joining Knowmore. She is a PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Certified Clinical Supervisor. Throughout her career, she has been committed to supporting people affected by trauma and promoting trauma-informed practice across services and organisations.
Paul Conte, Senior Financial Planner, Health & Finance Integrated
Paul Conte is the Principal Financial Adviser at Health & Finance Integrated, specialising in the financial circumstances of people affected by serious injury, illness and disability. Working closely with personal injury lawyers and other professionals, Paul helps clients navigate the financial complexities that often accompany insurance claims, compensation settlements and significant changes to their health and capacity to work. His work spans superannuation, personal insurance, compensation, Centrelink and financial planning, with a particular focus on helping clients make informed decisions during periods of considerable uncertainty. With a background in accounting and financial advice, Paul brings a practical understanding of how legal, medical and financial systems intersect, and the challenges these can create for individuals and their families. His approach centres on working alongside clients and their legal representatives to navigate these complexities and achieve meaningful financial outcomes.
