trauma-focused treatment

People who are experiencing complex situations and/or intense problems are often the least likely to be able to commit to traditional forms of intervention due to the significant and competing needs that are often present in these circumstances. As a result, mental health practitioners working in these contexts must learn specific skills in order to maximize the time that they have with people.

Applying a Trauma-Informed and Bio-Psycho-Social approach to care, participants will be introduced to the topic of developmental disabilities and mental health with a focus on Prevention, Assessment and Support. Caregivers and supports will gain a deeper understanding of the effects of mental health concerns as well as how to develop resilience and mental wellness. Participants will be introduced to a variety of assessment and screening tools to assist in understanding challenging situations or behaviours. 

This training integrates current research from the fields of neuroscience, psychology and social work to demonstrate how individuals respond to traumatic experiences. The principles of Trauma-informed practice (TIP) will be identified and examined in detail. The relevance and application of TIP skills to mental health and substance use will be explored using case studies and group discussion. Resources will be shared for participants to further their learning and share with their teams. 

The focus of the training will be to examine how the principles of trauma-informed practice apply in the supervisory context.  The course will examine approaches to supervision and performance reviews, strengthening the team’s ability to implement trauma-informed care.  Approaches to incident debriefing will be explored, with particular emphasis on client and staff safety. Finally, supervisory supports to mitigate vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burn out will also be discussed. 

Learning Outcomes 

The unique complexities of FASD presents itself in everyone’s professional practice. This highly interactive training will address how FASD is not limited to any racial, ethnic, cultural, or geographic group. It is a complex and multifaceted disability and affects people differently. (RFCY, 2022). Remembering that FASD is a socially rooted disability with intergenerational impacts and multiple layers of stigma allows us to better support those with FASD and their families. (CanFASD, 2022).

Understanding and Addressing Black Racial Trauma in Communities

This webinar is designed to deepen social workers' understanding of Black racial trauma and its impact on relationship-building within the Black community. This session will explore the philosophical foundations of Black racial trauma, examining its root causes and how it manifests both at the community and individual levels. Participants will gain practical tools and strategies to support Black clients through racial trauma with sensitivity and cultural competence.

Narrative Therapy Approaches to Trauma: Elevating Agency, Resistance and Responses 

This full day workshop examines Narrative Therapy approaches that empower individuals to reclaim their lives from trauma stories by uncovering alternative narratives of hope, acts of resistance, skills in living and surviving and the many unacknowledged ways in which people respond to hardship.