This webinar will explore trauma, vicarious trauma, and trauma-informed practice through a social-justice and strength-based lens. Participants will consider the fundamentals of trauma (brain, body, nervous system and systems), explore and reflect on trauma-informed approaches and tools to use in their work and build confidence in interacting with diverse persons and communities that have experienced trauma.

Through considering the teachings and writings of Vikki Reynolds, Resmaa Menakem, Kai Cheng Thom and others, participants will be encouraged to analyze the ways trauma overlaps with the chronic and systemic experiences of oppression and racism and how their own lived experiences might impact their work. Participants will be encouraged to be curious, to question and to consider the ways in which a social justice lens can enrich their work and their own experiences.

Instructor/s: Karine Silverwoman

I am an experienced Social Worker (MSW, RSW), therapist, consultant, educator, and personal trainer. My work is informed by my lived experience of over 20 years of working in the social work field and my engagement in social-justice activism.

I have extensive training in trauma-informed therapeutic approaches, clinical supervision and leadership. I am particularly passionate about working with front-line workers, managers, first responders, and community activists to deepen their skills, align with their values and find meaningful strategies to support them in the work that they do.