Fighting an Invisible Enemy

COVID 19 lives among us, for now, like an invisible enemy whose influence is only seen through its impacts on us or those around us.  Knowing it is out there but being unable to clearly see it, creates a stress response in all of us.  The paradox of this pandemic is that when stressed humans have a biological drive to flock toward safe others, which when done in traditional ways (physical connection) is one of the most dangerous things we can do.  So, as we identify what you are already doing to emotionally connect from a physical distance, let’s explore together the top five resilience factors that help us move through toxic levels of stress and beyond it.  We will start by exploring how you already support the growth of resilience in those you serve.  Then we will build new ways to expand the resilience of those we serve, our staff and ourselves during these paradoxical and uncertain times. 

OBJECTIVES

  • Identify COVID’s impact on the Fear Cascade

  • Identify and use resilience-based interventions to assist those we serve and ourselves in regulating during chronic, uncertain stress like COVID.

  • Identify the five good things found in mutually enhancing relationships and how to accomplish them from a physical distance

  • Lead along the Cliffs of Safety and develop COVID specific resilience-based planning for themselves, a loved one or someone they serve.

This session is designed for those who have a basic understanding of trauma and wish to become more knowledgeable and skilled in supporting those who have experienced complex trauma.  The interventions and supports described in this training are designed for use not just by clinicians, but also direct support staff, family members and others who interact with and care for the person who has experienced trauma.

Mary Vicario LPCC-S is a Certified Trauma Specialist who holds a Certificate in Traumatic Studies from The Child Trauma Center at The Justice Resource Institute. She has over 30 years of experience working with survivors turning the latest research into interventions for all ages and abilities. She was an American Counseling Association delegate to China & Mongolia, participated in a conference on human trafficking and guest lectured at Universities in Germany, receives training at International Trauma Conferences and Harvard Medical School, is a trainer for Ohio Child Welfare, co-authored the Foster Parents' Survival Guide, an article on Relational-Cultural Play Therapy in The International Journal of Play Therapy, trauma-responsive curricula and a textbook chapter on the neurobiology of attachment, trauma and repair from infant to adolescence in Counseling Children & Adolescents: Connecting Theory, Development & Diversity, Sondra Smith-Adcock and Catherine Tucker Eds. Mary is honored to provide Trauma Responsive Care Certification through the Tristate Trauma Network for anyone working with trauma survivors. Mary can be reached at www.findinghopeconsulting.com

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Longing to Belong

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Notice, Accept, Invite by Sarah Buffie