Speaking
Transformational speaking & information sessions
Hi, Nikki here. I am passionate about inspiring change at organisational, community, national and global levels and speaking provides the opportunity to make a difference across these contexts.
For over 3 decades I have spoken internationally – over 300 services and 12,000 professionals across Australia and New Zealand – on topics related to complex and developmental trauma, child and family protection, child and youth health, trauma-transformation, reflective practice, parenting and life skills and practitioner wellbeing.
Over the years, I have become passionate about speaking as it provides opportunities for learning and growth . When messages of hope, courage, possibility and potential are integrated with science and research, speaking can be transformational, even within minutes.
I would love the opportunity to speak at your event or meeting – including team building days, network meetings, professional forums, planning days and more.
Speaking topics may include:
Conscious awareness in professional practice
Practitioner mental fitness
Professional dangerousness
Child complex and developmental trauma
Child and family protection
A child’s language of harm
Child and adolescent engagement
Child and adolescent sexual behaviours
Trauma-informed to trauma-transformative
My story – from adversity to strength
Mindful practice
And more!
Upcoming conference presentations 2024
“Domestic and Family Violence: A Wellbeing Approach to Promoting Child and Adolescent Mental Health”. Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference, 24-26 March, 2025. Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, Gold Coast, Australia.
Registrations open: 2025 Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference
“Infant Mental Wellbeing: Understanding the Impact of Domestic Violence and Shaken Baby Syndrome as Dual Threats”. Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference, 24-26 March, 2025. Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, Gold Coast, Australia.
Registrations open: 2025 Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference
“The Dual Path of Adversity and Resilience: Transforming the Narrative for Children Experiencing Parental Addiction”. AddictionZ Conference 2025. Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association. Gold Coast, Australia.
Registrations open: AddictionZ 2025
Child Rights Conference 2024. Child Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking, Feb 2025 (TBC), Global, online.
Registrations for 2025 not yet open
Conference Presentations 2005-2024
National and international conferences I have presented at include:
Butler, Nikki. (2024, 6-8 November). “Mental Strength Fitness in Rural Mental Healthcare: Understanding the Neuroscience of Resilience”. Rural Mental Health Conference 2024. Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, Cairns, Australia. 2024 Rural Mental Health Conference
Butler, Nikki. (2024, 8-9 May). Addressing the Balancing Act for Practitioners Working with the Intersection Between Domestic and Family Violence & Child Protection. Disrupting & Reducing Family Violence Against First Nations Women & Children, The Hatchery, Australia. Disrupting & Reducing Family Violence Against First Nations Women & Children – The Hatchery (the-hatchery.co)
Butler, Nikki. (2024, 29 April – 1 May).The Impact of Parental Addiction on Children: A Child-centered Approach to Addiction Prevention and Intervention Strategies. AddictionZ Conference 2024. Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, Gold Coast, Australia. AddictionZ 2024 (anzmh.asn.au)
Butler, Nikki. (2024, 18-20 March). Infant Mental Wellbeing: Understanding the Impact of Domestic and Family Violence and Shaken Baby Syndrome as Dual Threats. 2024 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference, Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, Queensland, Australia. 2024 Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference (anzmh.asn.au)
Butler, Nikki. (2023, 27-29 Nov). Unsilencing the Voices of Children and Young People Who Have Experienced Family and Sexual Violence: Recognising the Language of Harm. 2023 Stop Domestic Violence Conference, Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, Tasmania, Australia. 2024 Stop Domestic Violence Conference (anzmh.asn.au)
Butler, Nikki. (2023, 13-15 Nov). Understanding a Child’s Language of Harm. Interdisciplinary Approach to Child Rights in Child Protection. Online Global Conference, 4childrights.com.
Butler, Nikki. (2023, 13-15 Nov). Professional Dangerousness in Child Protection Work. Interdisciplinary Approach to Child Rights in Child Protection. Online Global Conference, 13-15 Nov, 4childrights.com.
Butler, Nikki. (2023, 31 Oct-1 Nov). Panel discussion: Designing and strengthening age-appropriate safety planning. Child Centred Approaches to Ending Family Violence: Amplifying the Voice & Rights of Children in Service Response, The Hatchery, Australia. Child Centred Approaches to Ending Family Violence – The Hatchery (the-hatchery.co)
Butler, Nikki. (2023, 7-9 June). Professional Dangerousness in Mental Healthcare: Navigating the fine line between safe and unsafe practice. 2023 International Mental Health Conference, Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, Queensland, Australia. The Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association (anzmh.asn.au)
Butler, Nikki. (2023, 6-7 March). Navigating Professional Dangerousness: Preventing risk of unsafe practice & burnout. 2023 Frontline Mental Health Conference, Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, Queensland, Australia. The Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association (anzmh.asn.au)
Butler, Nikki. (2022, 30 Nov-2 Dec). Trauma Transformative Practice: Healing the hearts and minds of children and young people who have experienced domestic and family violence. 2022 Stop Domestic Violence Conference, Queensland, Australia. The Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association (anzmh.asn.au)
Hill (nee Butler), Nikki. (2020). Harmful Sexual Behaviours in Children and Young People. 2020 Strengthening Child Safe Organisations Conference, The Hatchery, Australia. Home – The Hatchery (the-hatchery.co)
Hill (nee Butler), Nikki. (2016). Educating Parents: Personal Safety for Children. Catholic Diocesan of Education Conference, Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns – Queensland, Australia (cns.catholic.edu.au)
Hill (nee Butler), Nikki. (2016). Child Sexual Assault – Identification and Prevention. Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers’ Association Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. SWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia – The home for Coaches, Teaches, and Swim Schools (scta.org.au)
Hill (nee Butler), Nikki. (2013). Child Protection Policy: A Collaborative Approach. Children in Crisis Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Hill (nee Butler), Nikki. (2013). Child Protection Policy for Community Agencies. Step Up For Children Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.
Hill (nee Butler), Nikki. (2013). A Child Protection Policy Template. Step Up For Children Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.
Hill (nee Butler), Nikki. (2015). Thesis presentation: Education: A Young Mother’s Key to Success, a Young Mother’s Hope. Youth Health Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand.