Healing Conversations for Family & Friends
​of Survivors of Trauma
REGISTRATION FOR MARCH/APRIL SESSIONS -TEMPORARILY DISCONTINUED.

Overview

The Healing Conversation series is far more than just another seminar with bullet points and cookie-cutter processes. This is a seminar that brings clear understanding of the human experience and the effect trauma has on individuals – body, brain, mind, soul and spirit. There are many facts to absorb and some technical language to understand, but the important part is the intimate conversation, a bit of introspection for those participating. This gives the participants a sense of compassion, empathy and sensitivity for those with whom we are walking alongside on their healing journey.

Most training is focused on identifying a problem and getting to work fixing the problem in the lives of clients or seekers. The Healing Conversations seminar brings to bear the truth that "people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care." It is truly a reminder to never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.

This seminar is offered in two different formats with a combination of lecture and interaction. The condensed version is offered in three sessions and the regular version is offered in six sessions. The regular session offers more time for discussion and processing. Participants have the opportunity to engage in a variety of exercises such as role plays and games so that they can start to apply their skills to real life circumstances. Challenging, serious, and fun.

What is Trauma-Informed Care?
  • Definition of trauma
  • What does it mean to be trauma-informed?
  • Types of trauma
  • How do we honor survivors?
Neurobiology of Trauma
  • Understand how trauma impacts the brain and body
  • Understand the tri-phasic model of healing trauma
  • Learn the specific ways to heal
The Role of Attachment in Trauma
  • Understand the reasons attachment is so important in healing trauma
  • Understand the different attachment styles
  • Understand the neurobiology of trauma & attachment
  • Patterns of attachment
  • The role of social engagement and attachment
Medications & Mental Health
  • Pharmacotherapy + Psychotherapy + Expressive Therapies = Healing
  • Neurochemistry of anxiety
    • Meds
    • ​Anti-depressants
  • PTSD
  • Non-pharamacologic options
Stages of Change
  • Pre-contemplation
    • Goals & how to assist in this stage
  • Contemplation
    • Goals & how to assist in this stage
  • Preparation & Determination
    • Goals & how to assist in this stage
  • Action
    • Goals & how to assist in this stage
  • Maintenance
    • Goals & how to assist in this stage
  • Lapse/Relapse
    • Goals & how to assist in this stage
  • Stages of change meet attachment
Basics of Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • The spirit of MI
  • Core MI processes to cultivate change
  • Mobilizing change talk
  • OARS
Overcoming Compassion Fatigue
  • Signs of compassion fatigue
  • Risk factors
  • Burnout
  • Creating a wellness plan

Comments from a Few Who've Been There

​Four participants in a past Healing Conversations shared their thoughts with us about their experiences.

"One of the things that was most valuable for me was learning that trauma that happened in a relationship must be healed in a relationship. My work with women in a crisis pregnancy has shown me how deeply broken their relationships have been. I can be a vessel for the Lord to pour His mercy and grace through to bring healing to these young women.
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"Learning about the neurobiology of the brain was very helpful. Most of the young women I see are often confused by their behavior since their trauma. I have been able to share with them that our thinking part of our brain shuts down when a traumatic event happens and we tend to operate from our fear center. They are usually relieved to know that is part of the trauma."
                                                Janet, Identity in Wholeness
 
"It was like drinking from a firehose as there was a lot of information to digest. However, it was well worth the time and money. One of my biggest take-aways was how to correctly give support to those who are suffering. I learned about active listening, how to be fully present, and validating language to use. I’m looking forward to taking it again and learning more."
                                                Dave, Identity in Wholeness
 
"I work with inner city youth as a biblical counselor. I had always believed that in order to be healed the youth needed to accept Christ and be open to counseling or progress couldn’t be made. Through the seminar I started to see that I was trying to fix these adolescents and I wasn’t really listening or validating them. I started to apply the strategies right away and was pleasantly surprised with the results I was having! Can’t wait to take the seminar again."
                                                Terri, The Gate Post