Olivia Peri

Olivia Peri is a clinical psychologist by training and a trauma-informed practitioner, consultant and trainer specialising in trauma, survivor-centred practice and psychologically safe approaches to working with people who have experienced abuse, exploitation and adversity.

Her career has spanned the mental health, survivor support, learning and organisational sectors. She has led national training functions within the charity sector and has worked with people affected by trauma across different countries and cultural contexts. Her work has included developing learning for professionals who encounter trauma and vulnerability in complex environments and supporting organisations to translate trauma-informed principles into meaningful practice.

Olivia’s areas of expertise include complex and developmental trauma, trauma and memory, psychological safety, safeguarding and disclosures, neurodivergence, vicarious trauma and the use of language when working with people who have experienced harm. She has designed and delivered specialist training for professionals across a range of sectors, including work relating to criminal justice, exploitation and safeguarding.

At Black Box, Olivia brings this expertise into trauma-informed assessments, interviews and consultancy. Her work focuses particularly on how people are invited to tell difficult stories: the questions they are asked, the language used to describe their experiences and the conditions needed for someone to participate safely.

Her approach is grounded in the belief that trauma-informed practice is not about avoiding difficult questions. It is about asking necessary questions with care, transparency and respect for the person answering them.

Originally from South Africa, Olivia carries with her the philosophy of Ubuntu: “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” meaning “A person is a person through other people.”

"For me, Ubuntu captures something fundamental about this work. No person’s story exists in isolation. When someone trusts us with the most difficult parts of their life, our responsibility is not only to listen, but to make sure that the way we listen leaves their dignity intact."