trauma-informed care

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. 

Substantial research supports the importance of one’s personal narrative in overcoming challenging experiences, including life transitions and trauma. This training is designed to deepen participants understanding of how journaling can support the psychotherapeutic process. Multiple therapeutic modalities, including narrative therapy and trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) use the personal narrative as part of psychotherapy.

Substantial research supports the importance of one’s personal narrative in overcoming challenging experiences, including life transitions and trauma. This training is designed to deepen participants understanding of how journaling can support the psychotherapeutic process. Multiple therapeutic modalities, including narrative therapy and trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) use the personal narrative as part of psychotherapy.

Understanding the impact of trauma on development, identity and behaviours is imperative when providing support.  This training, Trauma Informed Care: Supporting Individuals with Developmental Disabilities will explore the neurobiology of trauma and its impact on those with a developmental disability and/or mental health problems.  It will offer a reframing of behaviours through a trauma-informed lens.  Participants will walk away with a toolbox filled with strategies to best suited for supporting individuals using evidenced-based strategies.

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 

This workshop will explore ideas about challenging behaviour among children and young persons in care. Direct care staff, such as child and youth care practitioners, group home staff and foster carers may observe conduct which is resistant to traditional behaviour management techniques. A young person with complex trauma may present with a variety of issues (anxiety, aggression, self-harm, & suicidality, etc.) and with multiple diagnoses (i.e., conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, depression, anxiety).

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).