• Clinical Supervision
• Co-Active Coaching: Tools for Practitioners
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Consciousness and Mourning
• Core Counselling Skills
• Critical Indigenous Perspectives
• Diversity in Organizations
• Diversity Forum
• Family Group Conferencing
• Fundamentals of Human Service Management
• Intercultural & Intracultural Communication
• Managing Organizational Change in Turbulent Times
• Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
• Narratiave Ideas in Clinical Practicie
• Play Therapy: Short-term Models to Healing for Children
• Program and Project Management
• Program Evaluation
• Quality at the End of Life
• Resource Management and Development
• Re-Kindling the Fire
• Sandtray Worldplay Therapy
• Single Session Therapy: Advanced
• Single Session Therapy: Introduction
• Spirituality As a Component of the Therapeutic Conversation
• Staffing and Building Human Capacity
• Trusting the Process
• Understanding and Treating Anxiety Disorders
• Understanding Conjugal Violence Within Diverse Populations
• Understanding and Responding to Trauma
• Work with the Body in Brief Therapy
• Working with Survivors of War, Torture and Organized Violence: B

Coaching is a unique profession that has been growing in significance over the last ten years. Where therapeutic approaches typically examine present and past factors to clarify understandings and develop a treatment plan, coaching is directed toward the present and future, focusing on where the client wants to go and how s/he is going to get there.

As Douglas Everett said so eloquently, “there are some people who live in a dream world; and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other”.

In so many aspects of our lives we often assume we are doing what we want to do and/or we are being who we really want to be. We are alive so we assume we must be living our lives fully. More often than not, this is not the case because it’s very difficult for each of us to look into our own life mirror.

As coaches, we work with clients to hold up that mirror.  We strive to find their direction, passions and what it is that really fulfills their lives. Our role as coaches is to help people see through the blind spots in their life in a safe and supportive environment, and to help align their goals with their behaviour. In every instance in the coaching relationship, the focus is on the client –the individual who knows themselves best and who knows what it is they need.

This introductory workshop will:

• offer an overview of the concepts and cornerstones of co-active coaching
  
• explore the utility of coaching within care-giving fields
  
• provide opportunities to coach and be coached
  
• be interactive and experiential

Overview of the Day:
Introductions
Co-active coaching, its cornerstones and foundation
Demonstrations
Coaching tools
Experiential exercises
Theoretical bases of coaching for behaviour change
Coaching resources
Wrap-up

This workshop will be of interest to: Social workers and practitioners in allied helping professions, educators, health care providers, clergy and students.

Don Morrow, PhD is a professional life coach trained in the Co-active model via the Coaches Training Institute. He holds a PhD in the Health Sciences with over 25 years experience working as a professor with students at all levels of the Canadian university educational system. He is a widely published author and an experienced presenter to groups varying from small workshops to formal classes of 1200 people.  As a lover of life, a committed husband, father of three sons, as an accomplished athlete, as a professional educator, a risk-taker and as a trained coach, he brings a variety of life experiences and professional expertise, all of which is committed in service to his clients.

Jennifer Irwin, PhD is a professional life coach trained in the Co-active model via the Coaches Training Institute. She holds a PhD in Health Behaviour. Dr. Irwin is a qualified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) facilitator, a published author, and a university professor. Jennifer maintains a busy coaching practice and she loves working with her clients to live more balanced and fulfilling lives. She presents to and works with individuals and groups of many sizes.  

www.possibilitieslifecoaching.com

This program was last offered:  Fall 2004

This workshop will focus on the practical application of CBT interventions.

Day 1 will provide an overview of cognitive and behavioural strategies with ample opportunity for practice. Identification and rationale for use of these skills will be addressed. 

Day 2 will continue with a focus on practical application, but will examine the use of CBT with specific populations, e.g. clients with depression, OCD, eating disorders (as examples). 

Time permitting, participants may wish to suggest client issues from their own work settings so that the workshop practice of CBT can address these specifically.

Upon completion of this training, participants can expect to:

• improve their ability to identify a variety of cognitive and behavioural interventions;
• increase their understanding of the rationale for application of these strategies
• boost their confidence in the practice and modification of these techniques
• gain a recognition of appropriate opportunities for the application of CBT regardless of setting, client age or difficulty.

Margaret Notar, BSW, MA, MSW, RSW, has been a clinical social worker for 20 years, working with individuals, groups and families. She has worked primarily through Grand River Hospital’s outpatient adolescent mental health services where she has also provided social work supervision to both undergrad and graduate students. Marg has been a member of the Faculty of Social Work’s contract academic staff since 1999, and has a small private practice. Like many clinicians, cognitive behavioural therapy is one of several theoretical models in her repertoire. Marg has also been involved with developing eating disorder treatment and educational services within the community, being a founder and former chairperson of the Eating Disorders Awareness Coalition of Waterloo Region.

This program was last offered:  Fall 2007

Consciousness and Mourning:  Developing Secure Adult Attachments

Adults’ self perceptions and capacity in intimate relationships is influenced by early relationships with caregivers.  Healthy adult relationships have much to do with awareness of the impact of early childhood experiences and mourning the losses and longings from early child/parent relationships. This workshop will explore ways for therapists to help people recognize their unconscious models of relationships, develop greater security, and risk new and healthy interactive patterns in present relationships. The therapist’s knowledge of his or her own attachment patterns is crucial for the transformation of clients.

The workshop will include information on:

• History of Attachment Theory
• Adult Attachment categories
• Adult Attachment Interview
• Neurobiology of Adult Attachment
• Mental health categories from Attachment Theory perspective
• Attachment based therapy
• Mourning early longings and losses
• The reparative process of the therapeutic relationship

This workshop will be of interest to: Experienced direct service practitioners working with adults in individual therapy, marriage and family and parent work, such as social workers, social service workers, and other professionals providing psychotherapy,

Day One

Morning

• Brief history of Attachment Theory
• Childhood Attachment categories
• Internalized working models
• The long-term effects of early Attachment
• Adult Attachment
• Adult Attachment Inventory: categories and scoring
• Intergenerational transmission of Attachment
• Case examples: videos

Afternoon:

• Understanding mental health diagnosis from Attachment Theory
• Neurobiology of Attachment
• Brain structure and chemistry
• Attachment and the limbic system
• Unconscious and conscious brain
• Brain development and development of secure Attachment
• Discussion  

Day Two

Morning

• Attachment Therapy: principles and models
• Stages of Attachment Therapy:  exploration of each stage with examples
• Working with Attachment categories in therapy: the Dismissive, Preoccupied and Unresolved Client

Afternoon:

• Working with Attachment Categories continued
• Role of the therapist
• Attachment Category of the therapist and impact on therapy
• Conclusion and discussion  

Presenter: Annette Kussin M.S.W., R.S.W. , is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist.  Annette has worked in children’s mental health as a therapist, supervisor, manager and clinical director.  She has been a lecturer for the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and has provided training to a number of organizations throughout Ontario including Safeguards Children’s Services Training, The Canadian Mental Health Association and a number of children’s mental health services and child welfare agencies. She currently has a private therapy and consultation practice, specializing in attachment and trauma assessments for children and adults.

This program was last offered:  Fall 2007

The focus of this 2 day program is on general counselling principles and skills, and the integration of these into practice. The course will use lecture, role play and case studies as a way of engaging participants in the acquisition of practical skills.

Participants can expect to:

• Become familiar with a variety of individual counselling frameworks.
• Practice general counseling skills through role play, observation and coaching.
• Gain understanding about ethical and professional issues involved with the counselling process.
• Participate actively in this course, through experiential learning exercises.

Some specific aspects of the program include:

• Principles and ethics of counseling
• Empathy and assessing needs
• Contracting and goal setting
• Solution focused interventions
• Diversity and cultural issues
• Crisis intervention
• Self care and knowing when to refer

This certificate will be of interest to those working in a variety of human services including: health care providers, educators, social workers and social service workers, police and law enforcement personnel, residential staff, and those considering careers in the helping professions.

Sue Gallagher, MSW, RSW, is a graduate of the Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University. In over 20 years of clinical practice, Sue has focussed on work in the field of violence. Sue is currently a member of the Waterloo Region Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre where she responds to acute cases of sexual and domestic violence through the emergency departments of two local hospitals. She also provides ongoing counselling to those men, women and children who have experienced that kind of violence. She has provided clinical supervision and consultation to a variety of community agencies. Sue is also an Associate Faculty member at Conestoga College where she teaches a variety of counselling courses and co-ordinates the Applied Counselling Program.

 

This program may be taken on its own, or as an elective within the Management of Human Services Certificate Program.

In this session participants will be introduced to Indigenous perspectives in social work practice.  These perspectives will include a brief introduction (geared to participants’ awareness level) to:

The mode of delivery will be based within a wholistic ways of teaching and learning within a circle methodology with integration and use of traditional medicines.  Information will be shared along with the use of audio visual aids.  Participants will have an opportunity to share and learn from one another as well as from the instructor.  

Program Objectives:

• To provide information about the historical considerations of Indigenous peoples realities as they relate to social work practice contexts; 
• To create awareness of Indigenous perspectives; 
• To provide a critical educational opportunity for human service workers interested in learning more about Indigenous peoples; 
• To help social workers identify and understand their role in the circle of healing.

This session will be of interest to: counselors, social workers, helpers, teachers, trainers, supervisors, managers, and anyone who works with Indigenous populations and wants to grow and develop their understanding of Indigenous perspectives and peoples today. 

Dr. Kathy Absolon, Associate Professor, BA (Waterloo), MSW (WLU), PhD (OISE, Toronto) is Anishinaabe kwe from Flying Post First Nation and teaches in the Aboriginal Field of Study. She has a background in Indigenous studies and Aboriginal social work practice. Kathy teaches holistic healing practices and Indigenous holistic thought. Her practice experience has been in working with individuals, families, groups and communities within Indigenous contexts.

Kathy's research interests are in the many facets of Indigenous methodologies and worldview in Indigenous research. She is currently working on a three year community based evaluation of Walking the Prevention Circle with seventy three communities in Quebec and Atlantic provinces. Walking the Prevention Circle is a national abuse and violence prevention training project with the Aboriginal branch of the Canadian Red Cross. Other interests are in Indigenous wholistic healing and wellness at individual, group and community levels.

Diversity impacts all aspects of the outward and inward life of an organization.  As such, it is important for managers and human resources to debate the challenges and merits of embracing a workplace which creates spaces for the textured complexities and important benefits of a diverse workplace. 

This two day workshop will explore themes based on the following:

• deconstructing and defining the notion of “diversity”; 
• examining the work of organizations which have embarked on responses to diversity needs of human resources as well as development and service delivery;
• reviewing issues relative to hiring and volunteer coordination, conflict resolution and diversity audits.  

The course will use lecture, role-play and case studies to engage participants in developing strategies to integrate diversity within their respective work contexts.  

Participants will:

• Become familiar with the rich and textured challenges of organizational management in the face of diversity
• Share case situations (their own and others), and issues challenging social services, non-profits and health professionals working with members of immigrant and sexually diverse communities
• Engage in reflection and action on transforming traditional management, program planning and co-operation among the network of community services

Ginette Lafrenière, MA Management and Development of Co operatives, MSW, PhD, is an associate professor at the Faculty of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University and the Director of the Social Innovation Research Group which values university-community collaboration. Ginette has a background in management and as such is very interested in organizational change in the face of diversity.  She has worked with a wide variety of non-profit and government organizations assisting in enhancing workplace responses to diversity issues.. She is currently working on two funded research projects relative to economic integration strategies for immigrants and refugees in southwestern Ontario as well as best practices for social service and health care providers working with survivors of war, torture and organized violence.

This workshop was last offered: Fall 2007

The objective of the workshop is to create spaces of learning and understanding relative to the importance of organizational change in the face of diversity.  The course will use lecture, role-play, case studies and guest lecturers as a way of engaging participants to think about issues of diversity within their respective work contexts.  

Learning Objectives:

• Familiarize participants with the rich and textured challenges of organizational change in the face of diversity
• Provide participants with opportunities to deconstruct veritable case studies on issues challenging social services, non-profits and health professionals working with members of immigrant and sexual diverse communities
• Encourage participants to engage reflection and action on transforming traditional ways of doing management and program planning

Some of the areas to be explored will include:

• Paying attention to organizational change in the face of diversity
• Facilitating leadership development within cultural communities
• Challenges and opportunities working with the Aboriginal community
• Understanding  immigrant and refugee women's experiences of social services in the Waterloo Region
• Best practices for social service and health care providers working with survivors of war, torture and organized violence
• Building alliances with LGBTQ communities
• Networking, next steps

This program is designed to respond to the continuing education needs of managers, supervisors and executive directors of social service agencies, community-based agencies and non-profits as well as health-care providers.

Ginette Lafrenière, PhD, is an associate professor who teaches community practice, diversity and marginalization, social change and research at the Faculty of Social Work at WLU.  She is currently working on research projects relative to economic integration strategies for immigrants and refugees in southwestern Ontario as well as best practices for social service and health care providers working with survivors of war, torture and organized violence. 

Lamine Diallo, PhD,  is an assistant professor who teaches Organizational Leadership at Laurier Brantford and is presently the President of the African Alliance of Waterloo Region.  Dr. Diallo has worked in France, Quebec and Ontario as an advocate for immigrants and refugees wishing to integrate socially, politically and economically in host societies.  He is presently working on research relative to decentralized cooperation amongst municipalities worldwide.

Gillian Wells, MSW Candidate,  is a community organizer who is inspired by her work with immigrants and refugees and has engaged a unique research project relative to immigrant women's experiences with social services in the Waterloo Region. 

Donna Dubie, Mohawk Grandmother, is the Executive Director of the Healing of the Seven Generations, a community based project aimed at survivors and intergenerational survivors of the Residential School System.

This program was last offered: Spring 2007

Family Group Conferencing in Child Welfare and Children's Mental Health

In the child welfare and children’s mental health contexts, Family Group Conferencing is a culturally sensitive decision making process that brings together service providers and the family group (the immediate family, relatives and friends) in developing a plan to respond to a family crisis.  The intention of Family Group Conferencing is to elevate the voice of the family group as well as to recognize their expertise regarding their child.

The conferencing process is managed by the conference coordinator who prepares service providers and family group members for their participation in the conference, and who hosts and facilitates the conference itself.  Conference coordinators may be staff members within child welfare or children’s mental health agencies who have been allocated this task, or may be hired by the agency to take on this role, or may belong to a partner agency.

The model of Family Group Conferencing discussed in these workshops, although from the same roots, differs from the model utilized in restorative justice settings.

Family Group Conferencing has been identified by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services as an integral part of the Transformation Agenda.

Day 1: Introduction to Family Group Conferencing

This workshop will provide participants with an overview of:

• the history of Family Group Conferencing
• the philosophy of conferencing
• the practice of conferencing

Participants will learn:

• an orientation to Family Group Conferencing
• knowledge about an innovative tool that allows for partnership, participation and democracy in child welfare and children’s mental health contexts

The workshop is experiential with small group work, plenary discussions, videos and role plays.

This first day will be of most interest to frontline practitioners, supervisors, managers, decision makers, and service users, as well as lawyers, probation officers, teachers, mediators and other professionals dealing with children and family issues.  This workshop may be taken as a stand-alone, without the second day.

Day 2: Enhancing skills in conference coordination

This workshop offers an in-depth examination of Family Group Conferencing, with particular focus on the role of the conference coordinator. The following topics are covered:

• cultural issues
• preparing family members for the conference
• preparing service providers for the conference, including the presentations required
• engaging children
• creating safety
• anticipating challenges

Participants will leave with

• additional skills for conference coordination
• an understanding of the key issues that need attention in conference coordination
• a thorough understanding of how conferencing works

This session will use small group work, plenary discussions, videos and role plays with coaching.

This workshop will be of interest to prospective and current conference coordinators, as well as practitioners, supervisors and decision makers in child welfare or children’s mental health agencies.  Participants must have completed Day 1, as above.

Jeanette Schmid, M.Ed., has twenty five years of social work experience in a variety of fields including justice, early childhood education, developmental delay and trauma. She has worked in South Africa and Switzerland before immigrating to Canada a decade ago. Her Canadian experience includes child welfare exposure as both a family services and children’s services worker. She has been associated with the Toronto Family Group Conferencing Project since its launch in 1998, first as the program coordinator and now as a part time conference coordinator and consultant. She is currently enrolled as a PhD student at the Faculty of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier.

The training is being carried out under the auspices of the Toronto Family Group Conferencing Project.

This program was last offered:  Fall 2006

Intercultural & Intracultural Communication for Social Workers and Community Practitioners

What do a French Canadian, a West African and a gay Newfie have to say about diversity?  They (the presenters in this workshop) will say many things, including that diversity is an issue which is complex, rich and sometimes scary.

Given rapid changes in our society relative to globalization and social movements, host countries to immigrants and refugees are attempting to address structural changes relative to institutional repositioning towards "new clienteles."  Adapting to diversity is a fluid process, which we must demystify in order to work with "others" who also see us as "others".

This introductory workshop will address:

• fundamentals in trying to understand the "other" who at the same time is trying to understand / challenge the society in which s/he finds herself,
• appreciation of the basic assumptions made about us as the "other",
• themes relative to immigration and social movements,
• culture shock and communication,
• barriers to understanding one another, and
• ways we can attempt to deal effectively with diversity.

While the focus of this particular workshop is on immigrants, refugees and members of ethno-cultural communities, attention will also be given to intracultural issues related to gender and sexual orientation.

Teaching/learning techniques including the use of self by the workshop animators, group discussions, role playing and the use of a critical incident model relative to diversity will be used to help participants gain confidence and effectiveness working with diverse clienteles.

This workshop will be of interest to:  social workers and practitioners in allied helping professions, educators, health care providers, clergy, supervisors and consultants, and students.

Ginette Lafrenière, PhD, is an associate professor who teaches community practice, diversity and marginalization, social change and research at the Faculty of Social Work at WLU.  She is currently working on research projects relative to economic integration strategies for immigrants and refugees in southwestern Ontario as well as best practices for social service and health care providers working with survivors of war, torture and organized violence. 

Lamine Diallo, PhD,  is an assistant professor who teaches Organizational Leadership at Laurier Brantford and is presently the President of the African Alliance of Waterloo Region.  Dr. Diallo has worked in France, Quebec and Ontario as an advocate for immigrants and refugees wishing to integrate socially, politically and economically in host societies.  He is presently working on research relative to decentralized cooperation amongst municipalities worldwide.

William (Bill) Walters is currently completing his Master of Social Work (Community Development/Social Policy - International) here at WLU.  As part of his program, he has completed a review of the capacity of the Red Cross to address the psychological and emotional needs of Disaster Services Personnel and an assessment of the capacity of the PADRU (Pan-American Disaster Response Unit and National Red Cross Societies) to address the psychological and emotional needs of survivors of natural disaster in Central and South America.  Prior to attending WLU, Bill has attended numerous training sessions in the field of disaster/trauma and worked extensively with the Red Cross as a Front Line Responder within Canada, United States and internationally.

This workshop was last offered:  Spring 2004

Within a conceptual framework of strengthening and adapting organizational capabilities, this course will provide a platform for participants to explore strategies for effectiveness in the current economic and social climate. Participants will be actively engaged in dialogue, presenting case studies and comparing different approaches to building new management approaches that will enhance successful organizational change. A panel of local non-profit leaders from various sectors will share their own experiences with successful and unsuccessful change management strategies.

The module will focus on the engagement strategies and leadership capabilities needed to face current economic challenges. Some of the topic of discussions will include:
 
•    Identifying the nature and direction of change, and sorting through its real and imagined impacts on the organization.
•    Transformational change: how organizations respond to their environments, and the ways in which leaders and organizations may adapt to different kinds of transformational change.
•    The development of key elements that make initiatives successful in difficult times
•    A review of current models of collaboration, social entrepreneurship and networking strategies that enhance organizational resiliency, such as;Tides Foundation (sage model) and Capacity Waterloo Region.
•    Development of multi-faceted strategies for Innovative revenue allocations for future sustainability

Pre-workshop consideration: participants are to create their own case study related to their challenges in leading a non profit organization in light of the current economic climate.

This course will be of interest to senior and middle managers, coordinators, professional practice leaders, consultants and Board members in social service, health care or educational settings, as well as persons interested in preparing themselves for such roles.

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy:  A New Approach to Preventing Depression Relapse

Summary

This workshop will provide a theoretical and experiential overview of issues related to depression, relapse, and the rationale for the development of the MBCT program. An overview of the 8-week group program will be provided, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning.  It is important that workshop participants dress for comfort and movement, without abdominal constriction.
Background

Those who have been clinically depressed once have about a 50% chance of becoming depressed again.  For those with at least three episodes the likelihood of relapse jumps to 90%.  While medical and psychological treatments are available for the acute phase of a depressive episode, until recently, there was no evidence that any psychological intervention after the episode could prevent future relapse. MBCT, integrating mindfulness based meditation with cognitive therapy, is a new and clinically proven approach to preventing relapse.

Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose (vs. on “automatic pilot”), in the present moment (vs. past or future focused), and nonjudgmentally (vs. negatively). Through practices such as breath meditation, body scans, and mindful movement, participants in the 8 week MBCT program develop the capacity to allow (distressing) feelings, thoughts, and body sensations to occupy awareness, and to “step out” of their habitual reactivity to them. They develop a radical shift in their relationship to their interior experience.
By learning to stand back and observe negative thoughts and feelings, participants become mindful of when their mood is deteriorating so that they can choose how to respond skillfully rather than be “carried away” with the experience itself. Daily meditative practice on non-depressive content prepares participants to apply this new way of being, to depressive thoughts and feelings. Cognitive therapy perspectives are integrated into the program.

Day 1

• Theoretical understanding of depression relapse:
  
• The types of ruminative thinking, feeling, and behaviour loops that increase the risk of becoming depressed again.
  
• How mindfulness-based meditation practice can be an effective alternative
  
• Outcome research on MBCT for depression relapse prevention
  
• Overview of the 8-week MBCT program with a focus on the core skills.  Mindfulness practices such as breath meditation, body scan, mindful eating and mindful movement help participants to:
  
• become aware of  how little attention is usually paid to daily life
  
• become aware of bodily sensations, feelings, and thoughts, from moment to moment
  
• become aware of how quickly the mind shifts from one topic to another
  
• having noticed that the mind is wandering, to bring it back to a single focus
  
• become aware of how this mind wandering can allow negative thoughts and feelings to occur.

Day 2

• Theory and practice of the second half of the MBCT program, now focused on applying previously learned skills to more challenging thoughts and feelings:
  
• Develop a different way of relating to sensations, thoughts, and feelings – specifically, mindful acceptance and acknowledgment of unwanted feelings and thoughts, rather than habitual, pre-programmed routines that tend to perpetuate difficulties.
  
• Choose the most skillful response to unpleasant thoughts, feelings, or situations.

This workshop will be of interest to: all variety of psychotherapists, health care providers, and students interested in mindfulness approaches in coping with difficult moods and cognitive rumination.

Dr. Theresa Casteels, Psychologist, runs mindfulness groups for clients learning to cope with anxiety or to prevent depression relapse.  She also does individual counselling for older adolescents and adults with anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and many other issues. Until recently, Dr. Casteels worked at the University of Waterloo Counselling Services for 16 years where she functioned as Co-ordinator of the Internship program, supervising many psychology and social work interns. She also taught Developmental and Educational Psychology, Group Counselling and Theories and Techniques of Individual Counselling at St. Jerome’s University psychology department for several years.

This workshop was last offered:  Fall 2004

Narrative therapy involves, in essence, a change in world view. It is based on an understanding of how personal and cultural narratives shape, control and influence the lives of individuals, families and communities, and offers practices for deconstructing these narratives while re-membering alternative, liberating ones.  This workshop will provide participants with sufficient understanding of theory and practice to begin integrating narrative ideas into their professional work.

Day one will present the philosophical framework of narrative work and a map for understanding the basic steps in narrative practice.  Topics will include: the text analogy of therapy and narrative metaphor; a map for constructing narrative questions; deconstructing oppressive narratives; re-authoring processes; creating audiences for alternative stories; eliciting narratives of protest and resistance.  The workshop will also include a demonstration of a narrative conversation and a reflecting team.

Day two will continue with an examination of narrative theory and practice in greater depth, including concepts of the absent but implicit; scaffolding questions; thickening stories; and working with gender, trauma, abuse and loss.  The day will provide further opportunities for discussion, observation, and practice.  

This program will be of interest to: Helping professionals from all disciplines - social work, couple and family therapy, medicine, counselling, psychology, psychiatry, nursing, education, clergy - who wish to understand narrative ideas and learn how to apply them in their professional practice. Those working with people who have experienced trauma and abuse may find this session of particular interest.

Judith Myers Avis, M.S.W., PhD, is Professor Emerita and a former director of the Couple and Family Therapy graduate program at the University of Guelph.  Her work as an educator, clinician and researcher focuses on gender, trauma, resilience and healing in couple and family relationships.  She is internationally known for her expertise in narrative and feminist-informed therapy perspectives, and she also integrates aspects of spirituality and energy psychology in her work. 

Author or co-author of more than 40 journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Myers Avis has given numerous conference presentations, keynote addresses and invited workshops throughout the world.  Her work has been recognized by a number of awards and honours, including the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Family Therapy, and the American Family Therapy Academy Award for Innovative Contributions to Family Therapy.  In 2003 she was made an Honourary Fellow of St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick in recognition of her academic and professional contributions to social work knowledge, education and practice.    

This program was last offered:  Spring 2008

Play Therapy, a systematic model for treatment of children using their natural medium of expression, play, is an increasingly popular tool for the growth of young people and their families.  Healing of this kind takes place through long and short term methods, each type having specific purposes depending on the context of the clinical setting and presenting issue of the person(s). 

Learning Objectives

• to become aware of ‘play’ and its powers as well as the development of the Play Therapy method over the past 100 years
• develop awareness of the phases of each model of intervention and the importance of these in the healing process
• delineate between short and long term methods of Play Therapy and the usefulness of each depending on context
• prepare and practise one or more methods of Play Therapy

Day 1
Review of the history of Play Therapy during the last 100 years
Consideration of various models (approximately 15) along with the corresponding treatment phases of each. These will include client-centered, filial, theraplay, Adlerian, ecosystemic, gestalt and narrative Play Therapy.

Presentation of short-term models including cognitive-behavioural, solution focused  and family Play Therapies with live and video illustrations.

Readings on models of choice with playroom equipment will be disseminated at the end of Day 1 for reading overnight and application on Day 2.

Day 2
Focused review and case illustrations of short term play therapy models, recognizing diversity and specific needs for children;
Participants work on models of choice in private settings with either video-playback or one-way viewing room, with supervision from presenter (APT/CACPT supervisor).

This will be of interest to counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, teachers, psychiatrists and other related disciplines applies to those who work  in out and in-patient settings, child welfare/court and foster care situations and school environments.

Participants can apply for credit for supervision hours as well as continuing education credits with the Canadian Association of Child and Play Therapists and American Association of Play Therapy.

Nancy Riedel Bowers, RSW, Rpt-S, PhD, is a registered Play Therapist and Supervisor with CACPT and APT.  She is a part-time faculty member at Wilfrid Laurier University where she teaches the graduate course on Play Therapy. Nancy presents at international workshops and conferences and consults with organizations provincially and nationally.  In addition to her private practice as a psychotherapist with children, adolescents and families she is an author and researcher in the area of therapeutic process in child and play therapy.

This program was last offered:  Fall 2006

This course offers a comprehensive overview of the key components and activities associated with effective program development and project management.  The course is rich in content providing both theory and practical application.  Participants will be exposed to all relevant phases of program development and project management, current trends, expectations of funders and evaluation and monitoring strategies.

At the conclusion of the course, participants will understand:

• Program development and planning cycles,
• How programs are tied to the organization’s mission,
• How planning teams and project management teams are developed,
• The value and importance of engaging community partners,
• Documentation requirements,
• How to establish clear program direction, goals and objectives,
• How to establish project parameters, task allocations, time estimates and required resources,
• Key elements of project control including establishing milestones and means of communication,
• How to establish indicators of success for outcome evaluation purposes,
• How to effectively utilize computer software to assist in both program development and project management.

This program will be of interest to: Senior and middle managers, coordinators, private consultants and others who have or anticipate having program development and/or project management responsibilities for social service, health care or educational settings.

Helen Mullen-Stark, MSW, is the president of HMS Inc. Human Resource Solutions. In 1995, Helen formed HMS Inc, Human Resource Solutions and as an independent consultant has engaged in a numerous successful consulting ventures within both the private and public sector. Helen has undertaken a number of successful project management assignments for Children’s Aid Societies, the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Society, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and children’s mental health organizations. Helen has provided facilitation services for the purpose of organizational restructuring and program development for a variety of social service providers. In addition to her consulting experience, Helen has over 30 years experience in the child welfare sector with several Children’s Aid Societies throughout Central and South western Ontario.  Helen has held positions at all levels, including front-line, middle management and senior management levels.  She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of organizational systems, interagency and intergovernmental linkages. To maximize relevance, participants are encouraged to bring examples of programs they have developed or projects they have managed.

This program was last offered:  Fall 2008

This workshop can be taken on its own or as an elective course within the Management of Human Services Certificate Program.

Program evaluation is critical in today’s organizations. It contributes to the development of a good strategic planning process, to the enhancement of programs, to the identification of gaps in services, as well as helping to improve program quality and delivery.  This two day workshop will help demystify research and evaluation processes in any kind of organization. It will provide managers and program coordinators with practical and theoretical tools needed to design and execute an evaluation process and to manage all stages of program and organizational evaluation. This module will cover:

• design and implementation of process and outcome evaluations for different types of programs;
• identification of different types of evaluation,
• integration of evaluation into the strategic planning process and program development,
• identification of qualitative and quantitative design issues related to program evaluation, and the Logic Model for program evaluation.

This workshop will be of interest to:  Individuals in human service professions including social work, community and social service workers, family, marriage and other related counsellors, education and employment counsellors, law enforcement and correctional services, and social work educators and students.

Andrew Taylor, PhD, is a Research Director at Kitchener’s Centre for Community Based Research. His core interest is in using research techniques to contribute to the process of developing strong, supportive communities.  Much of Andrew's research work in the last 10 years has focused on the design, implementation and evaluation of programs for young children and their families.   Andrew is also interested in working with non-profit organizations that have an interest in building internal capacity to produce and mobilize knowledge. Andrew often works with large non-profit funders such as provincial government ministries, private foundations and United Ways.  He also works frequently with family resource centres, community centres, and other neighbourhood-level grassroots organizations.   Andrew is co-author of the OCSA Evaluation Handbook and Building Sustainable Non-Profits. He is also very active as a trainer and keynote speaker on community based research methods and non-profit program planning & management.

This program was last offered:  Spring 2008

 

This program was last offered: Fall 2006

This program was last offered: Spring 2007

Re-Kindling the Fire: Working with Aboriginal Communities and Clients

This two day workshop will combine contemporary critical anti-oppressive theory and practice with traditional Aboriginal perspectives and strategies for resistance and healing.  Engaging an intimate exploration of our own power, privilege, social location, culture, values, and assumptions, we will work collaboratively to develop new and meaningful approaches to social service delivery with Aboriginal communities and clients.  Importantly, in order to begin addressing gaps in service relative to the kinds of changes to services and programs that can be most effective, we will be exploring the gifts, meanings and specific needs of Aboriginal people, from their social locations and knowledges.  We wil make use of the image of "re-kindling the fire" for self-empowerment.

Some specific areas of discussion will include:

• An in-depth exploration of the ways in which we approach service delivery
• Understanding the psycho-social impact of our attitudes in developing and offering services
• An introdcution to supporting and partnering with Aboriginal clients and communities
• Role of healing, wellbeing
• What's already working: specialized Aboriginal resources in the community
• Blending traditional and contemporary ways of healing.

This workshop will be of interest to:  Individuals in human service professions including social work, community and social service workers, family, marriage and other related counsellors, education and employment counsellors, law enforcement and correctional services, and social work educators and students.

Pat Green, Program Coordinator at the Healing of the Seven Generations program in Kitchener, was recently at Native Child and Family Services in Toronto as a Traditional Teacher (Elder).

Pat comes from a background in Addictions and Community Development and has worked in the Native Communities and mainstream agencies for approximately 30 years.  Such agencies include: Pine Tree Native Centre as Program Development for the Residential School Survivors; various Native Centres across Canada, Secretary of State, Employment and Immigration; Addiction Treatment Centres, Horizons, and Pedahbun Lodge, both Native specific programs.  Pat has a unique way of using Traditional Teachings and blending them with contemporary healing techniques to guide clients back to personal empowerment and responsibility for their own holistic healing. 

Leeno Karumanchery, PhD - Leeno has been widely published in the field of anti-oppressive praxis and equity reform.  He is co-author of Removing the Margins: The Challenges and Possibilities of Inlcusive Schooling (Canadian Scholar's Press) and Playing the Race Card: Exposing White Power and Privilege (Peter Lang), both critically acclaimed texts in the field of anti-racism theory and practice.  He is also Editor of the forthcoming critical readers, Rewriting Resistance (Detselig) and Rupturing Racism (Fernwood).  Along with his writing and research, he also facilitates anti-racism seminars and workshops for The Diversity Training Institute, one of Canada's most innovative and exciting anti-racism and diversity consultants focusing in organizational repositioning in the face of equity and diversity.

This program was last offered:  Spring 2005

This workshop is an opportunity for introduction to Sandtray-Worldplay by the originator of the method.  Didactic presentation, demonstration, clinical vignettes, experiential exercises, self reflection and group sharing provide participants with a basic understanding of the theory, applications, and first-hand experience of Sandtray-Worldplay in the therapeutic context.

Participants are encouraged to bring a tray of sand, some water, natural and synthetic images so they may create Worlds in their sandtray during the experiential portions of the workshop.  (More specific information will be sent at the time of registration).

Following the workshop, participants will:

• Have some understanding of the history of the use of Sandtray/Sandplay in therapeutic settings.
• Be aware of the many clinical applications of Sandtray-Worldplay.
• Know basic requirements for creating a Sandtray-Worldplay room/space.
• Recognize indicators and contra-indicators to Sandtray/Worldplay.
• Have an experience of the basic role of the Sandtray/Worldplay Therapist as Witness, Facilitator, and Recorder of the Play Session;
• Have a Sense the Healing Nature of Play with sand, water, and images.
• Understand the training requirements for becoming a Sandtray/Worldplay therapist.

Day One:

• Creating Worlds in a sandtray:  where does it come from?  Who's who in the world of Sandplay, Sandtray and Sandtray/Worldplay.
• Ways of setting up the sandplay space:  tools and guidelines to create a sacred, healing environment.
• Exploring the Possibilities:  Rationale for using Sandtray/Worldplay in psychotherapy, play therapy and education.
• Clinical Vignettes:  selected Worlds from pre-school-latency-adolescent-adult populations.
• The Sandtray/Worldplay approach and contraindications.

Day Two:

• Clinical Vignettes:  selected Worlds from couple-family-group Sandtray/Worldplay Sessions.
• Who knows, what do these Worlds mean?  Symbolic interpretations vs. conscious experiencing.
• The Journey Session:  The way of the Witness and the way of the Creator.
• Exploring the 'Growing Edge' and the place of personal transformation;
• Integrating workshop experience with clinical practice and professional development.
• Training guidelines;

This program will be of interest to:  social workers, psychologists, educators, health care professionals, mediators and those working in transformational and expressive therapies.

Gisela Schubach De Domenico, Ph.D., MFT, is a tranformational healther and a psychotherapist based in Oakland, CA.  As healer, she is a life-long student of human consciousness and a shamanic and spiritual practitioner.  She provides rituals and rites of passage for individuals, families and communities.  As psychotherapist, she is a licenced Marriage, Family and Child Therapist and a registered Play Therapist Supervisor.  She consults with educators, mediators, mental health professionals, and tranformational facilitators.  Her phenomenological and hermeneutic methods are used in settings ranging from educational to religious, and from tranformational to corporate.

She developed Sandtray-Worldplay from orginal phenomenological research with normal pre-school children.  She uses Sandtray-Worldplay and Dynamic Expressive Play Therapy in her clinical and and transformational practice with children, adolescents, adults, Elders, couples, families and groups.  Gisela has been training Mental Health Professionals nationally and internationally since 1984.

This program was last offered:  Spring 2008

This workshop has been designed in response to the many requests for advanced training in single session counselling. Attendance will be limited to those who have attended An Introduction to Single Session Counselling or with permission of the instructor.

For many helping professionals considering that the first meeting with an individual, couple, or family may well be the last is particularly daunting when the mental health and relational concerns of people are woven together with life circumstances such as poverty, family violence, social marginalization, and isolation. This workshop builds on the ideas and skills covered in the Introduction to Single Session Counselling Workshop. Helping professionals will have the opportunity to develop and fine tune their knowledge and therapeutic skills to maximize the potential value of each and every conversational moment with individuals, couples, and families.

Objectives:

1. To challenge and develop assumptions about the effectiveness of single sessions.
2. To develop and experiment with questions and responses for a successful single meeting that makes the most of the moment no matter where the conversation takes place.
3. To explore various ways to extend change beyond the meeting time.
4. To increase strategies to provide timely, cost-sensitive services and reduce waiting lists.

Discussions will explore a number of topics including:

• How to keep believing a single session of counselling can be useful!
• What comes after: Learning when to use ideas such as possible further sessions, therapeutic letters, and community resources and supports.
• The applicability of a single session or brief therapeutic encounters for challenging situations.

Emphasis during our time together will be on participatory practice and observations of video tape. Participants are invited to bring their own examples from their work setting for discussion and reflection.

This program will be of interest to: experienced direct service practitioners such as social workers, social service workers, family therapists, psychotherapists, child and youth workers, and child welfare workers.

Heather J. Hair, MA, MSc, is a PhD Candidate in Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier and an Approved Supervisor with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Her 25 year career in children’s mental health began as a child care worker in open and secure residential treatment facilities for adolescents. For 11 years she worked as a family therapist at an Ontario inner city children’s mental health centre where she co-created and coordinated the Brief Therapy Services and developed and supervised the Brief Therapy Community Externship. Since 1995, Heather has been providing clinical supervision as well as training and workshops in time-sensitive therapies to various social service agencies in Ontario. She also designed and has repeatedly taught the popular Wilfrid Laurier MSW elective course Brief Therapies for Families, Couples, and Individuals. Her academic and professional interests include supervision and staff training, policy development in children’s mental health services, social work education, and the qualities of therapeutic conversations that encourage growth and change.

This program was last offered:  Spring 2008

For many helping professionals providing counselling and supportive services through urban and rural based settings can often mean that each client contact could be the only one.  The thought that the first meeting with an individual, couple, or family may well be the last is particularly daunting when the mental health and relational concerns of clients are woven together with life circumstances such as poverty, family violence, social marginalization, and isolation. 

This workshop will introduce helping practitioners to assumptions and practice skills that invite positive helping relationships while maximizing the potential value of each and every contact moment with our communities' most vulnerable citizens no matter where the therapeutic conversation may occur.  As well, come and discover how timely, cost-sensitive services can reduce waiting lists and respond effectively when windows of opportunity for change are open.

Objectives:

1. Discover the assumptions that encourage effective therapeutic conversations with vulnerable persons when one meeting could be the only one.
2. Learn which skills invite positive helping relationships while maximizing the potential valuue of each and every client contact moment on the street, in a shelter, residential centre, client's home, or a counselling office.
3. Explore various ways to extend change beyond the meeting time with clients.
4. Learn how to provide timely, cost-sensitive services and reduce waiting lists.

This Workshop will be of interest to: Direct service practitioners such as social workers, social service workers, family therapists, psychotherapists, child and youth workers, and child welfare workers who are interested in maximizing the potential value of each and every clinical contact moment with individuals, couples, and families.

Heather J. Hair, MA, MSc, is a PhD Candidate in Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier and an Approved Supervisor with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.  Her 25 year career in children's mental health began as a child care worker in open and secure residential treatment facilities for adolescents.  For 11 years she worked as a family therapist at an Ontario inner city children's mental health centre where she co-created and coordinated the Brief Therapy Services and developed and supervised the Brief Therapy Community Externship.  Since 1995, Heather has been providing clinical supervision as well as training and workshops in time-sensitive therapies to various social service agencies in Ontario.  She also designed and has repeatedly taught the popular Wilfrid Laurier MSW elective course Brief Therapies for Families, Couples, and Individuals.  Her academic and professional interests include supervision and staff training, policy development in children's mental health services, social work education, and the qualities of therapeutic conversations that encourage growth and change.

This program was last offered: Spring 2008

Spirituality has often been an area of awkwardness and discomfort in therapeutic conversations - normally more for the therapist than for the client(s).  With the emergence of research and practice in palliative care, the impact of trauma, cultural diversity, and grief work in general, the importance of including spirituality in a holistic practice has become much more pressing.  In this workshop participants will be invited to look at the benefits of integrating spirituality into the therapeutic process with all clients.  It is the premise of this workshop that a resilience or strength based model of therapy, invites spiritual development and spiritual understanding to be a key to helping a family or individual find the wholeness they desire in their lives.

Learning Objectives:

• To understand the role of spirituality in emotional well being
• To differentiate spirituality and religion
• To recognize personal biases in regard to spirituality
• To develop conversational entrance points
• To name as natural a spiritual understanding of therapeutic practice
• To name and claim tools for the therapeutic toolbox - guided imagery, movement, meditation/prayer/silence/sitting with, body scanning/internal review

Gloria Kropf Nafziger, MSW, has found spirituality to be an essential part of her therapeutic practice.  The stories that are brought to her and her own story have convinced her that spirituality is an essential part of the whole person.  Her work facilitating workshops and seminars for people around the intersections of spirituality in daily living are especially life giving to her.  She has been in private practice for 15 years and works in individual, couple and group settings.

This workshop was last offered:  Spring 2006

Building human capacity in human service settings is complex and multi-layered, since relationships and communication are of primary importance in both service delivery and in delivering on the popular adage that “people are our most important asset”. This module will focus on the development and ongoing support and inspiration of staff and volunteers.

This module will cover:

• Overview of Human Resource Management components (understanding the continuum from planning to hiring to managing and empowering to evaluating)
• Understanding the new Workforce (understanding the four types of staff from Traditionalists through Generation Y including how to recruit, retain, evaluate)
• Effective Hiring (grid preparation) leading to the "employment contract"
• Effective Evaluation
• Performance Management
• Managing Change.

This program will be of interest to: Directors, managers, human resource professionals coordinators, professional practice leaders, consultants and supervisors in social service, health care or educational settings, as well as those interested in preparing themselves for such roles.

Terry West, MSW, MBA, has worked for 35+ years in child welfare, 10 as a
front-line child protection worker, 8 as a front-line supervisor, and 20 years as a Director of Human Resources.  He now has a private consulting practice, working with a variety of social service organizations.

 

This program was last offered:  Fall 2008

Trusting the Process: Play Therapy Treatment of the Severely Traumatized Child

Workshop Overview
This workshop highlights the theory, techniques and treatment process used with young children who have been severely traumatized by death of a loved one, by family violence or loss through difficult divorces. Video segments, case presentations and practicing of models will exemplify the treatment phases of the non-directive and directive play therapy models (including the introduction of the narrative play therapy approach)

Following the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify major treatment issues when dealing with severely traumatized children as well as  with those who have suffered major loss(es)
• Be aware of research and associated treatment concerns found in play therapy literature
• Understand the phases and techniques of the models of the play therapy process
• Benefit from dialogue throughout the workshop of severe trauma case situations and the need for self-care as therapists

Day One Agenda

• Review of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, theory, research, types and levels of severity.
• Overview developmental milestones/coping abilities and the impact of trauma on children and families.
• Observe the use of play/art therapy as the medium for therapy with children.
• Present treatment concerns through the application of Play Therapy with severe situations of PTSD (case illustrations)
• Move through an overview of the models of Play Therapy: observing the phases of treatment within each and their application to severe PTSD (school play therapy, FCS and mental health/hospital settings will be highlighted)
• Case reviews of Play Therapy: assessment to termination

Day Two Agenda

• An in depth study of the directive and non-directive play therapy (PT) models (approx. 12)
• Participants will practice in small groups and privately PT models of their choice (toys, etc. will be provided but participants are invited to bring their own tools)
• Detailed case overviews (2 or 3) applying the ‘prescriptive’ approach to PT (ie. The application of certain models to children and their particular situations )

This workshop will be of interest to: play therapy practitioners, social workers, psychologists, health care professionals and educators.  Those who attended the one-day Spring 2004 workshop are welcome to attend Day 2 of the workshop to follow up and apply case examples.

Participants will receive credit with the Canadian Association of Child and Play
Therapy. (CACPT)

Nancy Riedel Bowers, PhD, is a registered Play Therapist and Supervisor with CACPT and APT. She is a part-time faculty member at a number of Canadian universities, and has presented at international workshops and conferences. In addition to her private practice as a psychotherapist with children, adolescents and families she is an author and researcher in the area of therapeutic process in child therapy.

This program was last offered:  Fall 2004

Understanding and Treating Anxiety Disorders: Step-by-Step Approaches that Work

Summary and Objectives

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent of psychological problems, affecting more than 20% of individuals at some point in their lives.  The most salient features of the anxiety disorders include panic attacks, fear, worry, tension, avoidance of feared situations, and a tendency to engage in compulsive rituals or other overprotective behaviours.  Not surprisingly, anxiety disorders can lead to significant impairment across a wide range of life domains, including work and school, social functioning, and family life.  Fortunately, effective methods have been developed for assessing and treating the full range of anxiety disorders. 
This workshop provides in-depth training in evidence-based techniques for helping people who suffer from anxiety disorders.  Proven strategies for treating panic disorder with and without agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder will be will be provided, and related disorders such as hypochondriasis and body dysmorphic disorder will also be discussed.

The workshop begins with an overview of the anxiety disorders, their key features, and their causes.  This is followed by a detailed presentation of strategies for the assessment of anxiety disorders.  Most of the workshop will emphasize evidence-based treatments for anxiety.  Attendees will learn about the current status of biological interventions, including established medications and alternative approaches (e.g., herbal products).  Detailed, step-by-step guidelines for cognitive and behavioural therapies will also be provided.  The most important elements of the treatment will be illustrated using videotaped case vignettes, and attendees will be encouraged to discuss their own cases.  Dr. Antony will provide a comprehensive handout, as well as a complete list of recommended readings.

Participants will learn:

• How to distinguish among various types of anxiety disorders
• How to develop a comprehensive assessment plan
• Which medications work for anxiety-related problems
• Which psychological treatments work for particular anxiety disorders
• Practical strategies for using cognitive therapy with individuals suffering from anxiety disorders
• Step-by-step methods for treating anxiety disorders using exposure-based therapies
• Relaxation-based strategies for treating anxiety disorders

Agenda for Day 1
Overview of the Anxiety Disorders
Assessment of Anxiety Disorders
Medication Treatments
Introduction to Exposure-Based Strategies
Introduction to Cognitive Strategies

Agenda for Day 2
Treatment of Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
Treatment of Post -traumatic Stress Disorder
Treatment of Social Phobia
Treatment of Specific Phobias
Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Treatment of Associated Conditions

Martin M. Antony, Ph.D., is Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, and Chief Psychologist and Director of the Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton, Ontario.  Dr. Antony also serves on the Boards of Directors for the Society of Clinical Psychology and the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy (AABT).

Dr. Antony has made prolific contributions to the field of anxiety disorders through his clinical research, teaching, and writing.  He has written or edited 11 books on the topics of anxiety disorders, depression, and psychological assessment, and has published more than 80 papers and chapters, mostly in the areas of anxiety disorders and cognitive behavior therapy.  For his contributions to the field of anxiety disorders, he has been honored with awards from the Canadian Psychological Association, the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, and the Society of Clinical Psychology.  He is a fellow of the Canadian and American Psychological Associations, and served as an advisor for the anxiety disorders section of the DSM-IV text revision.

This program was last offered:  Fall 2004

The aim of this workshop is to create a space for dialogue in order that participants may deconstruct the specificity of issues relative to conjugal violence for women coming from diverse backgrounds.  The notion of "diversity" for this particular workshop implies women coming from various ethno-cultural backgrounds as well as from the LGBTQ communities.  The workshop seeks to address ways in which one can look at issues of violence with a lens which seeks to understand and not judge.

Learning will honour adult education methodologies and experiential learning.

This workshop will be of interest to:  Social workers, counsellors, psychotherapists, educators, health care providers, law enforcement workers and community agencies involved in issues of couple and family violence.

This workshop was last offered:  Spring 2004

On a daily basis we are exposed to trauma through the media, driving on the 401, in our work roles or being directly impacted by a traumatic event.  How do we make sense of these potentially overwhelming experiences?  How do we manage this challenging information?  How do we respond or intervene?

This introductory workshop will:

• Offer an overview of the nature and theoretical context of trauma and traumatic events
• Examine the impact of trauma upon affected individuals and communities from a global perspective (with references to culturally sensitive practice)
• Provide intervention strategies for practice (each participant may choose their focus for this segment of the workshop)
• Explore prevention and intervention strategies to address issues related to self care.

The workshop format will include audio/visual resources, opportunities to engage in interactive discussion with facilitators and fellow participants, and activities focusing upon practical strategies and skill development.

This workshop will be of interest to:  Social workers and practitioners in allied helping professions, educators, health care providers, clergy and students.

The program was last offered:  Spring 2004

The workshop will describe how body-based therapy approaches can be introduced into Brief Therapy.  We will begin with a case example of body work being used in a Brief Therapy session.  This will provide a foundation to explore theoretical concepts in brief therapy and Bioenergetic Analysis, and how they can work together.  Participants will have the opportunity to experience the concepts presented and relate these practices to their work.

The workshop will have a strong experiential component and will complement particpants' current therapeutic style and models.  Participants will learn:

• Basic concepts in somatic therapy models
• How to introduce body work into the session
• How to identify cues that a body intervention would be helpful
• How body work increases safety int he therapeutic session
• Basic techniques of body therapy that can be incorporated into practice
• The variety of training programs in somatic-based therapy that are available

Bioenergetic Analysis will be the primary model drawn upon.  Bioenergetics is a client centred, supportive somatic approach to understanding and healing.  We will highlight key concepts in Biosythesis, biodynamics, Core Energetics and Rolfing to give participants a range of models for further exploration.

This workshop will be of interest to:  Social workers, psychotherapists, health care providers, psychologists and students training in these prefessions.

This program was last offered:  Spring 2004

This session is designed to increase understanding of some of the intense social and political contexts experienced by vulnerable newcomers to Canada and to explore certain best practices in helping services. Testimony from survivors of torture and organised violence will be combined with findings from the Hamilton war and torture research project conducted by the Social Innovation Research Group at the Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University. Discussions and case studies will be used to enable participants to work together to develop appropriate service plans and structures.

Learning Objectives:

    * Defining war, torture and organized  violence in various contexts;
    * Understanding the impact of past trauma experiences on current life;
    * Exploring best practices in human services for those who have experienced the trauma of organised violence;
    * Exploring best practices for service providers who may experience vicarious trauma as a result of the textured work required in service delivery;
    * Gaining experience through shared work on case studies;
    * Developing further steps for serving people in Waterloo Region.

This program will be of interest to: health care and social work providers, employment services, educators, program managers and directors, child welfare workers, settlement workers and multifaith clerical leaders.

Ginette Lafrenière, MA Management and Development of Co operatives, MSW, PhD, is an associate professor at the Faculty of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University and the Director of the Social Innovation Research Group which values university-community collaboration. Ginette has a background in management and as such is very interested in organizational change in the face of diversity.  She has worked with a wide variety of non-profit and government organizations assisting in enhancing workplace responses to diversity issues.. She is currently working on two funded research projects relative to economic integration strategies for immigrants and refugees in southwestern Ontario as well as best practices for social service and health care providers working with survivors of war, torture and organized violence.

Lamine Diallo, PhD,  is an associate professor in Organizational Leadership at Laurier Brantford and is presently the President of the African Alliance of Waterloo Region.  Dr. Diallo is also one of the founding members of the African Research Institute at Laurier Brantford. He has worked in France, Quebec and Ontario as an advocate for immigrants and refugees wishing to integrate socially, politically and economically in host societies.  He is presently working on research relative to decentralized cooperation amongst municipalities worldwide.


This program was last offered Fall 2008