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Trauma and Trauma Informed Care

I was a co-author of the State of Alaska Trauma 101 curriculum. This is a training for professionals working in human services. We conducted regional and agency-based training over a four years period. I was also the primary consultant for the Alaskan Juvenile Justice Trauma Informed Care project.  Over seven years we worked to transform the full system, growing on restorative justice and strength-based corrections. I have also provided training across the US, especially in American Indian Communities and at numerous national conferences. I continue to provide training and consultant for Trauma and Trauma informed Care. Trauma and its effects have been central in looking that the whole person for most of my thirty year career. Healing and function must demand concentrated understanding and skills in dealing with injured clients. Ask what happened to them before worrying about what they did. This is the way forward in remedying the hurt.

I also work with healers, with professionals that are compassionately involved with those with trauma stories. Secondary trauma is talked about and many seminars but many agencies and practitioners don't adequately deal with the contagions that impact our work.  I teach and supervise and even provide a type of professional 'therapy' for those wishing to maintain compassion and engagement without the burden of taking the hurt home.

Basic Trauma Training*

 

This training is the foundation for understanding and ultimately applying tools and interventions with trauma victims and those with impacting adversity in their lives. This training consists of the following:

 

1. Definitions of Trauma and Adversity

2. Neurobiology of Trauma

3. The ACE Study and Results

4. Manifestations of trauma-related impact

5. Case Studies of Trauma Behaviors

6. Triggers, Buttons, and Fire

7. Review of Trauma Interventions and Research

 

This is a six hour class.   

   

 

Developmental Trauma: Its Impacts and Symptoms*

 

This training is designed to help understand the impact of trauma across the lifespan. It discusses factors that pre-dispose individuals to trauma-related challenges and how they manifest during specific developmental periods. Personality, environmental, and relational components will be examined and explored focusing on identification and intervention. This training covers the following:

 

1) Brain development and behaviors

2) Developmental stages and ‘typical’ growth

3) Impact of trauma and adversity across each stage and developmental period. Signs, symptoms and behaviors will be outlined

4) Resiliency and protective factors during developmental sensitive periods

5) Interventions and adjustments to foster healing and augment resiliency

6) Contextual interventions vs. 1:1 or group

 

This is a three hour class.

* CEUs are available

 

Basic Trauma Informed Care: Principles and Actions*

 

This training explores the history and influence of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) on human services. It explains the philosophy, policies, and relational aspects necessary to engage those affected by trauma. It contrasts “treatment as usual” with TIC. It builds on the basics of trauma understanding, reflective practice, and clinical science. This class consists of the following:

 

1) History, Philosophy, and Research around TIC and its general application

2) Comparisons with some typical examples and treatment models: Contrasts and Parallels  

3) Personal changes and reflections to become trauma informed

4) TIC screening, assessment, and environmental management

 

This is a three hour class

 

 

Advanced TIC Training*

 

This training builds on the basic TIC class by directly applying the principles to the local conditions and environment. Personal and supervisory activities to enhance TIC are presented. This consists of the following:

 

1) Review and more in-depth TIC philosophy and application

2) Specific examples of TIC practice and setting specific activities

3) Integration of TIC into routine practices, different theories, and various models of treatment

4) Benchmarks and indicators of TIC  application and remedies for treatment as usual relapses.

 

This is a three hour class.

 

 

 

 

Implementation Science and Trauma Informed Care transformations have been a focus of mine for almost two decades. Understanding what happened to the client and how that can be addressed in therapy or Juvenile Justice to help is vital. I was an early adopter and advocate for Trauma consciousness. Practice optimization for clinical outcome is a passion. While training is important, working consistently with a plan and leadership  has provided more impact, more direct practice transformation, and most effective in providing best professional and client outcomes.

While many packages of Trauma Informed Care models and ideas emerge, my experience with agency and practice change points to active consultation, staged roll out, and ongoing internal and external support for real mature implementation to be realized. Every agency is different, unique. Change must response to the individual factors and personality of agency. The process is not simply training but deliberate analysis of processes, procedures, attitudes, and the environment. Consulting adds a focus, an outside perspective, and brings resources and information to busy organizations. The result: steady progress, innovative adaptations, and a true culture change.

                   Trauma Informed Care Consultation
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