Training in Stress and Trauma from Sidran Institute

Sidran Institute offers training programs that help equip individuals and agency staff to deal confidently and compassionately with traumatized, abused, or troubled clients.
Sidran's training offers participants a cohesive model and practical methods that will support individuals and staff members while enabling them to better support those they serve.

Choose a training program listed here or contact Sidran to customize a plan that is right for your organization!

Our Training Programs

Addressing PTSD in Primary Care Settings

Addressing Vicarious Traumatization and Burnout in High-Stress Facilities

Applying a Relational Framework to Workplace Conflict

Creating Trauma-Informed Services

Ethics in Victim Services

Growing Beyond Survival: A Self-Help Toolkit for Managing Traumatic Stress

Risking Connection®: A Training Curriculum for Working with Survivors

Risking Connection® in Faith Communities:  Training for Faith Leaders Supporting Trauma Survivors

Relational Teaching®: The Master Training for Teaching the Risking Connection Curriculum

Relational Peer Support for Men and Women Who Have Experienced Trauma

Safety and Crisis Management

Self-Inflicted Violence: Helping Those Who Self-Injure

Stopping the Cycle: Providing Healing Rather than Re-Enactment

Supporting Male Victims

Supporting Traumatized Children

Trauma among the Elderly

Trauma and Addiction

Trauma and Attachment

Trauma and HIV

Trauma and Spirituality

Trauma and Suicidality

Trauma Assessment and Treatment Planning

Trauma, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault

Trauma Treatment in Corrections

Understanding and Addressing Borderline Personality Disorder

Understanding and Addressing the Dynamics of Revictimization

Understanding and Addressing Self-Injury

Understanding and Supporting the Distressed Child

Understanding Trauma

Working with Shame and Anger


Descriptions of Workshops

1. Addressing PTSD in Primary Care Settings

Healthcare workers routinely encounter survivors in every aspect of the system. However they may not always know it. This workshop will help primary healthcare workers recognize the signs of trauma and learn ways of interacting with survivors that will enhance the medical relationship, increase compliance with treatment, and help prevent unnecessary procedures through awareness of trauma-related psychological symptoms and related health difficulties.    REQUEST INFORMATION

2. Addressing Vicarious Traumatization and Burnout in High-Stress Facilities

Vicarious trauma (VT) and burnout seem endemic to social services and healthcare. This program explores reasons why people select these fields and the ways in which ideals or goals may be overshadowed by the realities and stresses of the work. We look at personal and workplace-based strategies for addressing and preventing VT and managing burnout. The ideas and strategies presented help participants to recapture the inspiration that initially led them to the work.     REQUEST INFORMATION


3. Applying a Relational Framework to Workplace Conflict

This workshop helps agencies identify patterns and styles that contribute to conflict, low morale, and reduced productivity. Using a relational model, communication can be improved, trust can be restored, and personnel can begin to strengthen workplace relationships. We provide exercises and techniques to improve understanding, reliability, and communication skills.  REQUEST INFORMATION


4. Creating Trauma-Informed Services

While the effects of traumatic stress may be seen across all aspects of health services, not all agencies have the resources to provide trauma-specific services. This workshop will help your agency make use of the state of the art in trauma theory and treatment to provide trauma-informed services that will support and enhance your existing program.    REQUEST INFORMATION

5. Ethics in Victim Services  

Working with persons who have been victimized carries particular stresses and pitfalls. Based on book of the same name copublished by VALOR Sidran Institute Press, this workshop provides both practical and experiential methods for identifying and addressing the ethical needs and dilemmas inherent in victim service work.    REQUEST INFORMATION



                       
6. Growing Beyond Survival: A Self-Help Toolkit for Managing Traumatic Stress
 
This session addresses the processes by which traumatic stress symptoms develop. We conceptualize symptoms as adaptations to be understood in context and then addressed collaboratively. Specific interventions are discussed and demonstrated. The training is based on materials found in the workbook Growing Beyond Survival: A Self-Help Toolkit for Managing Traumatic Stress .    REQUEST INFORMATION
 


7. Risking Connection®: A Training Curriculum for Working with Survivors

Risking Connection® is a comprehensive program that will help you and your agency understand and respond effectively to trauma survivors.

Studies show that adult survivors of childhood trauma account for a majority of individuals in treatment for psychiatric disorders and substance abuse, but the effects of traumatic experiences are often overlooked in treatment. Based on a relational framework for understanding the effects of trauma, Risking Connection empowers helpers and consumers alike and adapts to any treatment or support setting.

Three-Day  Risking Connection® Program — This training is a dynamic combination of didactic and experiential exercises. Client/treater worksheets as well as assessment, self-reflection, group discussion, and clinical practice exercises are used to facilitate application of principles. In addition, the curriculum cogently addresses the common questions, concerns, and skepticism about trauma treatment. REQUEST INFORMATION
Visit the New Risking Connection® website here




8. Risking Connection® in Faith Communities: A Training for Faith Leaders Supporting Trauma Survivors

 Studies show that as many as one in four of the people encountered by faith leaders may have been deeply wounded by life experiences. Risking Connection in Faith Communities will help clergy and lay leaders understand the nature of psychological trauma, how it affects people, and how faith leaders can help. Because the training is addressed to spiritual leaders, particular attention is paid to the spiritual impact of trauma.

The two-day training explains the effects of trauma; focuses on the need for growth-promoting relationships; explores the connection between trauma and spiritual distress; recognizes the value of spirituality in recovery; addresses the impact of trauma on the helper; and looks at how faith communities can promote healing.
Because the curriculum is intended to be useful to clergy and lay leaders of many faiths and denomination, the training takes a neutral stance on belief systems. However examples incorporating such perspectives are offered.    
REQUEST INFORMATION
Visit the New Risking Connection® website here





9. Relational Teaching®: The Master Training for Teaching the Risking Connection® Curriculum

A train-the-trainers certificate program for teaching Risking Connection. Relational Teaching is a three-day training based on Relational Teaching, Experiential Learning, the teaching manual for the Risking Connection curriculum. This training is for those who have already participated in the full three-day Risking Connection workshop and wish to teach it themselves. It is a Master Trainers program. Relational Teaching includes specific training techniques and exercises, reproducible handouts, and hundreds of presentation slides on disk.   REQUEST INFORMATION





10. Relational Peer Support for Men and Women Who Have Experienced Trauma

 A grassroots peer support group that is wellness-focused (and can be used with or without companion interventions) can be a powerful force promoting connection and hope for trauma survivors. This training discusses the framework, methods, and techniques that facilitate the development of a safe and successful peer support group. This model is adaptable to all kinds of support groups.      REQUEST INFORMATION





11. Safety and Crisis Management
Safety can be an ongoing struggle between helpers and survivors. Understanding the survivor’s point of view is crucial to helping survivors manage personal safety effectively. Using a collaborative framework, this workshop will help participants understand triggers for unsafe behavior, work on safety collaboratively with survivors, and learn tools for reducing the frequency and intensity of crises.     REQUEST INFORMATION


12. Self-Inflicted Violence: Helping Those Who Self-Injure

Self-inflicted violence is prevalent but often misunderstood or ignored. This workshop reviews the causes of self-inflicted violence, explores common misperceptions regarding self-injury, the meanings and motivations associated with the acts of self-inflicted violence, helpful and harmful treatment practices, and identifies stressors arising from clinical work or other close involvement with persons who self-injure.    REQUEST INFORMATION

PRAISE FROM RECENT TRAININGS:

         "Ms. Mazelis was truly excellent and engaging as a communicator/trainer/teacher;     with some difficult, complex, and important material."

       "Ms. Mazelis was the best presenter I have seen in a very long time. She has an innate respect of others, both clients and colleagues, combined with a wonderful intelligence and keen insight. The world is a better place with folks like her in it who are willing to share from openness and honesty."



13. Stopping the Cycle: Providing Healing Rather than Re-Enactment

The prevalence of abuse in the histories of persons receiving care in mental health and substance abuse service programs is given voice in this training. Common treatment practices will be explored to distinguish those that inadvertently perpetuate trauma from those that contribute to recovery from traumatic stress related problems. In addition, treatment approaches that facilitate the development of trauma-informed practices and policies are covered.     REQUEST INFORMATION


14. Supporting Male Victims

Male victims of trauma may be the most marginalized among survivor groups. The stigma associated with male victimization has perpetuated the idea that boys aren’t abused very often, that only men victimize, and that men are prone to victimizing others. This workshop addresses the real picture of male victimization, why they don’t tell, why there aren’t enough services, and how to break the stigma. We also address techniques for helping men cope with and recover from trauma.    REQUEST INFORMATION


15. Supporting Traumatized Children

Early recognition of trauma can allow helpers to address the needs of the child and prevent both future victimization and a myriad of other difficulties for these children. This workshop provides information about recognizing traumatized children, differential diagnosis, and techniques for helping children cope and develop skills for healing and thriving.    REQUEST INFORMATION


16. Trauma among the Elderly

As people age, their histories may become more and more significant to them. For some of our aging population, these histories are full of terrifying, abusive experiences. How do we support aging survivors? What are the salient issues for elderly survivors? This workshop will help participants to address these questions and provide ideas about how to help elderly survivors heal and foster loving relationships.     REQUEST INFORMATION


17. Trauma and Addiction

Substance use and many other addictions are highly correlated with trauma in numerous populations. From veterans to victims of childhood abuse and neglect, this combination can lead to homelessness, criminal justice conflicts, and suicidality. This workshop will help you to identify the connections and develop a plan to address both issues simultaneously.      REQUEST INFORMATION


18. Trauma and Attachment

Attachment literature holds a special hope for trauma survivors with particular attachment difficulties. This workshop outlines the fundamentals of attachment and how helpers can use this theory to understand survivors’ dilemmas with relationships, parenting, and safety. We will work with the markers of secure attachment and provide tools for supporting secure, healthy attachment.     REQUEST INFORMATION


19. Trauma and HIV

The connections between HIV infection and traumatization are well documented. The risk factors overlap so profoundly that addressing both HIV prevention and the impact of HIV infection must involve an understanding and ability to address the effects of traumatic stress and traumatizing environments. This workshop will help you to make the connections necessary to address both issues and support those you serve in their efforts to live healthy, fulfilling lives.     REQUEST INFORMATION


20. Trauma and Spirituality

At its core, trauma is a spiritual issue asking survivors to assess their system of meaning and purpose in life. Trauma can alter systems of meaning and challenge survivors to find meaning in some of life’s most horrible experiences. This workshop will help you guide survivors in their effort. We address ethical challenges, dilemmas for helpers, and methods for allowing a spiritual discussion in treatment setting.    REQUEST INFORMATION

21. Trauma and Suicidality  

Survivors who live with suicidality may present helpers with classic dilemmas related to treatment and hospitalization. This workshop will help you manage your own feelings regarding suicidal survivors, understand the code inherent in some suicidal language, and provide methods for addressing the needs that may be hidden in suicide statement.     REQUEST INFORMATION

22. Trauma Assessment and Treatment Planning

This training explores ways of using the assessment process (in addition to gathering information) to develop a respectful, productive therapeutic connection. Assessment tools are reviewed and used to discuss the collaborative development of treatment plans.     REQUEST INFORMATION


23. Trauma, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault

Among advocates and supporters of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault there is a tension between providing support and sometimes treatment to the victim and preserving the victim’s rights. Traditionally, addressing the impact and possible symptoms of victimization can lead to difficulties in the courtroom. This workshop allows helpers to bridge that gap without putting victims at risk. Understanding the impact of trauma and how to address it will help all victim services workers to support victims more effectively.      REQUEST INFORMATION


24. Trauma Treatment in Corrections

Trauma survivors comprise a large proportion of those who are incarcerated. Training for correctional treatment and security staff can help improve inmate/officer relations, reduce the likelihood of re-traumatizing incidents for staff and inmates, and reduce confrontations between inmates and staff. This training includes concrete interventions for working with inmates in crisis.      REQUEST INFORMATION


25. Understanding and Addressing Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder is approached as a manifestation of attachment needs. Participants explore risk factors, markers of secure attachment, relational styles, and the meanings of behaviors. With a focus on helper self-awareness and the effects of countertransference, a new treatment strategy emerges that more accurately reflects the experience of the client and allows helpers to support clients in recovery rather than just behavior management.     REQUEST INFORMATION


26. Understanding and Addressing the Dynamics of Revictimization

The link between early childhood trauma and repeated traumatic experiences in adulthood is well documented. This program addresses both the short- and long-term effects of childhood trauma, giving particular attention to the significance of early childhood trauma in the lives of those subjected to current domestic violence or other adult trauma. Learn how to use a trauma framework, increase understanding of the survivor's adaptations, reduce the stigma of revictimization, and combat victim blaming.    REQUEST INFORMATION


27. Understanding and Addressing Self-Injury

Self-injury is becoming a significant treatment focus for helpers serving distressed persons in many treatment arenas. From detention centers to hospitals to schools, helpers are recognizing that self-injury is not as rare as once thought. As awareness of the prevalence of self-injury increases, so too does the need for proper training for helpers who encounter this behavior. This workshop helps participants to decode the behavior and develop a method for addressing the needs of those who use it to cope.    REQUEST INFORMATION


28. Understanding and Supporting the Distressed Child

More and more, school personnel are recognizing distressed children in the classroom. The challenge of addressing their needs and delivering on the demands of education seem to be incompatible. This workshop can help schools to identify distressed children before they are labeled disturbed or disabled. We explore methods for classroom, group, and individual intervention to support these children. We also address the impact of this work on helpers.      REQUEST INFORMATION
   

29. Understanding Trauma

A training program that presents a thorough, yet concise, overview of the salient issues related to traumatic stress and its life impact. From prevalence to differential diagnosis, symptom regulation to treatment trends and more, this session highlights the range of issues to be explored when working with survivors. This program is suited to community agencies, public mental health systems, and anyone who is beginning to learn about traumatic stress.     REQUEST INFORMATION

30. Working with Shame and Anger

Traumatic experiences nearly universally generate feelings of guilt, shame, and/or anger. This training focuses on the unique struggle survivors experience with these feelings and provides a framework for understanding the ways these emotions may manifest themselves in treatment and outside relationships. Of particular importance are the skills we can teach survivors with regard to understanding shame and anger and differentiating those feelings from impulses like violence or self-injury.     REQUEST INFORMATION