Learning Goals and Objectives:

• Gain clear understanding of what constitutes trauma, as well as sources of trauma
• Increase understanding of how trauma effects both body and brain
• Recognize the widespread effects of trauma in a person’s life
• Gain specific information about the kinds of things we are likely to see from a person who has been traumatized – behaviors, symptoms, mental health diagnoses
• Understand trauma-informed care principles
• Learn about the kinds of things that have been shown to help people heal from trauma, including some new treatments and activities on the horizon of care
• Consider the widespread nature of prevention – individual efforts, community efforts and practices, public policy
• Recognize clearly “what’s in it for us”, collectively, to promote a trauma-informed professional and public environment

Presented by: Barbara Orr, M.A.

This workshop will review and explain how significant trauma effects the brains and bodies of persons – both short and long-term – and the ramifications for emotional stability, learning, relationship building and maintenance, worldview, self-view, and overall mental and physical health.

We will apply what science and experience has taught us about the grave difficulties posed by trauma to the ways in which we can approach and interact with traumatized individuals – as well as what to avoid – so that we can form an effective rapport, offer the support and trust necessary, and lead our clients toward resources that can provide the deep healing that is needed for them to lead more centered, peaceful, and successful lives.

Application will be made both to clients we’ve had and to ourselves – a recognition of how the vestiges of trauma effect people in myriad but recognizable ways, building empathy and understanding about how we can both hold people accountable for behaviors but do so in ways that does not further traumatize or augment symptoms of prior trauma. The workshop will include didactic presentation, exercises, and practice.

This program is offered for 6 hours of social work continuing education through co-sponsorship of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work, a Council on Social Work Education-accredited school and therefore, a PA pre-approved provider of social work continuing education. These credit hours satisfy requirements for LSW/LCSW, LCP and LMFT biennial license renewal. For information on social work continuing education call (412) 624-6902. This program is offered for 6 PCB (Pennsylvania Certification Board) training hours.

RSVP by September 25 to Rebecca Valle – rvalle@bhocc.org