Skip to main content

Two Day Training

FROM CONCEPTUALIZATION TO ENGAGEMENT: MALE SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION

From Conceptualization to Engagement is our most requested training opportunity.  It combines conceptual training on male sexual victimization along with core intervention skills and strategies designed to empower frontline workers to actively intervene with male survivors.  This combination of theory and practice with an emphasis on experiential approaches addresses many of the practical and clinical concerns of frontline professionals and volunteers.

From Conceptualization to Engagement is ideal for healthcare counsellors, victim services counsellors, mental health case workers, correctional officers, child protection, and addiction counsellors who have some direct face-to-face engagement with men.  A counselling background is necessary to benefit from all of the aspects of this training.

REVISIONING MEN’S INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN LIGHT OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA: INTERVENTION WITH ASSAULTIVE MEN

Revisioning Men’s Intimate Partner Violence is based on recent research that demonstrates significant links between male childhood trauma and domestic violence in adult relationships.  While many practitioners are aware that men who are assaultive in their intimate relationships have a history of childhood abuse, few intervention programs are designed to incorporate this fact. The goal of this training is therefore to resource participants in bringing a trauma-based understanding of the causes of intimate violence to whatever treatment setting they may work in.

Revisioning Men’s Intimate Partner Violence covers research on the relationship between trauma and intimate violence; theoretical models for explaining this relationship; and crucial practice principles that follow from adopting a trauma lens. It also includes experiential exercises that bring the theoretical material to life. Importantly, this revision of intimate violence does not simply replace the feminist “power and control” model, but rather shows patriarchal values and childhood trauma to be complexly interacting factors. The training will accordingly be of interest to all concerned about domestic violence and the aftermath of childhood abuse and trauma.

GROUP THEORY & PRACTICE:
A TRAINING FOR MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS

Many theorists discuss at length as to why group work is a preferred model of intervention with trauma survivors: it conveys psycho-education well, it lessens the isolation faced in individual therapy, allows one’s testimony to be witnessed, and creates a supportive learning atmosphere that can benefit all participants.  However, practitioners often do not have the skill set to carry to group practice. 

This training teaches both the necessary group process as well as group intervention skills to allow for dynamic yet safe engagement with clients.  Utilizing features from Opening Circle to group experiential exercises, curriculum-based instruction to process therapy, Group Theory & Practice will create the confidence for counsellors to expand their service repertoire to survivors in group settings.

KEEPING THE SPIRIT ALIVE:
A TRAINING ON THE MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION OF VICARIOUS TRAUMA

For professionals who counsel men and women with histories of childhood abuse, vicarious traumatization (VT) is an occupational hazard.  As a result of being repeatedly immersed in their clients' stories of terror, cruelty, and despair, it is virtually impossible not to feel some degree of personal disturbance and disorientation.  The difficult interpersonal dynamics they often experience with their clients also contribute to this effect.  The risk of VT is particularly acute for those professionals who have themselves experienced childhood abuse and trauma.

Keeping the Spirit Alive focuses on the personal and professional activity that trauma workers need to engage in if they are to insulate themselves against VT and stay energized as helping professionals.  It is time to dispel the myth that trauma work does not affect the trauma worker, and to break down the barriers to discussing this topic.  The intention of this workshop is first of all to create a safe environment for acknowledging the toll that trauma work takes on trauma workers.  It then aims to build knowledge and practices for reducing VT, as well as for experiencing the considerable rewards of doing trauma work.  Combining educational and experiential exercises, this training will both strengthen counsellors' clinical work and help them build anti-VT strategies into their work and personal lives.

TRAUMA TREATMENT FOR MALE SURVIVORS:
PROGRAMMING CONTENT FOR SERVICE DELIVERY
Note:  pre-requisite course: of FROM CONCEPTUALIZATION TO ENGAGEMENT

There are numerous components in creating a successful trauma treatment program for men:

  • Intake
  • Individual counselling
  • Phased group treatment
  • Psycho-educational materials
  • Process therapy Family support
  • Testimony
  • Integration
  • Evaluation
  • Assessment

All of these elements of service are critical for the program to be clinically comprehensive and effective. 

Trauma Treatment for Male Survivors is for service providers looking at the steps that are essential in building, resourcing and maintaining a male survivor treatment program.  From intake onwards, participants will get hands-on resourcing of all that is required for trauma recovery.  Along with two full days of instruction, participants will get a complete set of forms, procedures, curriculum and client handouts, including preparation and delivery of testimony.  Based on the award winning “Men & Healing” model of male survivor services, this is the training in which to launch a service, or re-tool a service with the latest understandings of trauma treatment.  All participants will also receive a copy of our guidebook entitled:  Men & Healing: Theory, Research, and Practice in Working with Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse.