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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAININGS

At Finding Forward Therapy, we offer numerous training workshops for community organizations and therapists. Our workshops are listed below - if interested, please do not hesitate to click on the inquire now button and we will be happy to respond to all questions over email.

Building Resiliency in Children Who Have Experience Trauma

Length: typically 2 days (adaptable to shorter formats)

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Key Topics Covered: 

- Foundational knowledge of trauma, including racial trauma.

-Impact of trauma on the brain and child/youth development. 

- Reviews of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES).

- How trauma shows up in behaviours, reactions, and mental health symptoms.

- Research on relationships and environmental factors that buffer trauma. 

-Integrating positive psychology, narrative approaches, and self-regulation research.

-Pathways to resilience and protective factors that foster hope.

-Identity-affirming strategies for creating safe, responsive environments.

-creating the context to shift a trauma story into one that focuses on resilience

Learning Methods: video, discussion, activities and numerous take home resources for practical integration.

 

Learning Outcomes. Participants will learn: 

  • Definitions of trauma.

  • What the research is telling us on how trauma impacts childhood development and the elevated risks of unresolved trauma.

  • How the research from positive psychology, resiliency, well- being, post traumatic growth and self- regulation can help us in our work with children who have experienced trauma.

  • Eight resilience based story shifters that can make a difference for someone who has experienced trauma.

Story Shifters Framework

Sometimes adults who have experienced trauma in their childhood get ‘stuck’ in what happened to them, in that they feel it holds them back or it takes over their life.  As one person said, it became the ‘soul of his life’.   In our lives, we have many stories about our experiences and who we are. These stories can shift over time, depending on other experiences we have.  How do the stories we have about trauma shift to help us get ‘unstuck’?  What elements are involved in making this happen?

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The Story Shifter Framework provides clinicians and clients with alternative ways to shift and heal from trauma which is strength based yet does not dismiss the impact of the trauma. Reviews a Growth and Resilient Rating Scale as part of what emerged from Dr. Ward’s dissertation research. Rooted in narrative and social constructionism theory. 

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

An introduction and deeper dive into the theory and practice of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy from an identity affirming lens.

This training supports clinicians by:

  • Blending CBT theory, concepts, strategies, and practices.

  • Integrating CBT with other approaches such as Motivation Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.

  • Supporting clinicians in their cultural humility journey.

  • Identifying concerns, issues, and considerations in applying identity affirming practices to CBT.

  • Demonstrating CBT through role plays and examples tailored to the populations your organization serves. 

*Connect with Dr. Ward for further details on the specific agenda for this session.

Self-Care and Self-Compassion

Length: Flexible (half- or full-day options). 

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This workshop explores how to mitigate stress by shifting toward a resilient, positive perspective.

 

Participants will:

- Learn the neurological benefits of self-compassion and brain-based resilience strategies.

-Practice specific tools that enhance these challenges.

- Explore collective self-care, recognizing the interconnectedness of student, educator, and caregiver wellbeing.

Helping Clients Move Toward the Good Life

Length: 2 Days.

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This comprehensive workshop explores theory and practice related to building wellbeing and resilience, with an emphasis on applying concepts directly in client work.

 

Topics Include:

  • Mental Health Diagnoses: Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, Schizophrenia and Concurrent Disorders

  • The Interconnections of Forgiveness, Grief, Stories and Self Forgiveness

  • The role of Self Compassion in our work, and for our clients

  • Self Efficacy-helping clients to feel like they can influence their lives

  • Somatic Theories and Practices to Consider

  • What Do We Know About Trauma? Key Highlights

  • General Supportive Counselling Techniques

  • Transference, Countertransference & Boundaries

  • Strategies for Promoting Change:  Values & Hope for the Future

Non-Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI)

Length: full day workshop with demonstrations and role play

 

Topic Include:

  • Terms and definitions of NSSI and suicide

  • Signs and symptoms

  • Demographics, risk and protective factors, 

  • Why adults engage in NSSI

  • Social media influences on NSSI

  • What to assess 

  • Interventions (how to address it and help)

  • Building resources and supports

  • When to seek further assistance, collaboration with other supports, & policy and procedure clarity.

Building Cultural Humility as a Therapist and Creating Cultural/Identity Safety with Clients

Length: Flexible; includes 2 role-play demonstrations.

 

Co-facilitated with a racialized therapist

This workshop supports clinicians in cultivating cultural humility and creating identity-safe spaces for clients.

 

Key Topics Covered:

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  • Intersectionality and centring client identities.

  • Having difficult conversations about race and oppression. 

  • How to ask clients about identity in a genuine, affirming way. 

  • Therapist self-reflection: starting your own cultural humility journey.

  • Building authentic curiosity as the foundation of identity-affirming practice.

Trauma in the Midst of Trauma

Creating the Conditions for a Brighter Future: Techniques for healing from trauma and strategies that promote hope and change 

Focus Areas:

  • Identity, relationships, and self/co-regulation.

  • Honouring all our parts

  • Grounding Practices

  • Forgiveness and Self-Compassion, 

  • Reframing diagnoses in identity-affirming ways. â€‹

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Participants gain practical techniques for healing and fostering hope in the midst of ongoing trauma.

Overcoming Obstacles

​Length: 3 Hours

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A workshop on mental health and well-being strategies for individuals currently facing struggles in their lives. Participants gain foundational knowledge and practical tools for strengthening mental health and well-being, rooted in positive psychology.

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