The PATH Program (Poi Assisted Therapy) is an innovative, ACC-funded group therapy program to support trauma recovery. For the first time, Path brings together two proven therapeutic modalities, EMDR and poi, to support your brain’s natural capacity for recovery. Whether you’re beginning your healing journey or continuing along it, The Path Program offers a safe space to reconnect with yourself, your strength, and your story. Path is a collaboration between SpinPoi and Trauma Aid Aotearoa.
How it works
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based approach that helps your brain and body gently re-process distressing experiences so they can be stored in a calmer, more adaptive way. You remain in control at every step, and the healing happens through your own natural processing, supported by rhythmic bilateral stimulation.
With The Path Program, you never have to describe your trauma in detail. Poi practice provides that same bilateral rhythm in a way that feels grounded and uplifting. Through a curated series of gentle movements developed by SpinPoi and based on clinical research, poi invites calm, balance, and safety within yourself and your surroundings. The steady rhythm of spinning your poi can soothe the nervous system and offers a deep sense of connection to body, mind, and spirit.
The Path Program is delivered in structured, eight-session online cohorts. Our facilitators are leaders in the fields of trauma therapy and integrating poi into healthcare settings.
Ready to learn more?
Our online sessions begin in February 2026, and we are accepting referrals now. Participants must be located in New Zealand and have an active ACC Sensitive Claim to enroll. Lead Providers are encouraged to submit referrals early, as groups will reach capacity. For more details and registration, visit the Trauma Aid Aotearoa website.
Want to become a Path Facilitator?
Path Facilitator Training will open in 2027. To enroll, you must either be a registered mental health professional in your location of practice or a Certified SpinPoi Instructor. If you’re not a registered mental health professional, the SpinPoi Certification Course is a great place to start. The course is open to anyone — no previous experience or credentials required — and it will not only give you strong foundations in teaching poi for health and wellbeing, but it will allow you to enroll in the Path Training upon your successful graduation. See when the next SpinPoi Certification Course takes place.