I offer the following trainings and workshops -- some as both full and half-day programs, some as keynotes, as indicated below:

MILITARY SOCIAL WORK

Specifics TBA soon.
Please check back.

STRONG AT THE BROKEN PLACES: RESILIENT SURVIVORS

The myth of "once damaged goods, always damaged goods" posits that a survivor of trauma is destined to continue patterns of abuse---against the self or others. Quite to the contrary, most survivors go on to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Many, in fact, derive their greatest strengths in the very areas where they've been hurt the most, not only becoming strong, but "strong at the broken places." This presentation will include a showing of the documentary short "Strong at the Broken Places" produced by the Oscar-winning Cambridge Documentary Films. After a brief discussion of the film, Aaron Antonovsky's "salutogenic" (strengths-focused) model for resiliency will be presented as well as the characteristics that help survivors prevail over trauma.

(Offered as 90 minutes, 2 hours, 3 hours, or day-long training; also as a keynote)

"I AM BAD SO I DO BAD": THE POWER OF SHAME

Shame is a common sequelae to trauma and often is an underlying cause of many behaviors that bring people to the attention of helping professionals. Shame can also be the "glue" that holds families together. This workshop will explore the role shame plays in criminal, abusive, addictive and self-destructive behaviors. Implications for interviewing and treatment approaches will be covered as well as the challenges to countertransference management represented by shame. This workshop can be combined with "Don't Take the Bait" for a full-day workshop.

(Offered as keynote or 3 hours)

DON'T TAKE THE BAIT: WORKING WITH RELUCTANT CLIENTS

Are the clients pushing your buttons lately? Learn to listen to their difficult behavior as an alternative (and powerful) form of communication. Sorting out our feelings from the clients' feelings can be an on-going process. Using clips from popular films, this workshop will focus on the dynamics of projective identification as well as ten self-care guidelines for the voluntary worker engaged in a dance with the involuntary client.

(Offered as 90 minutes or 3 hours)

CHILDREN WHO ACT OUT THEIR PAIN: SEXUAL BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

Children who act out sexually can present a challenging and complex diagnostic picture. This workshop will present a typology of sexual behavior problems in children, contrasting each category to what would be developmentally usual and expected. Implications for placements and treatment planning will be be discussed for impulsive, attachment-seeking, neurologically-based, compulsive and exploitive sexual behaviors. We will focus on children in alternative care such as foster care, special school settings, residential treatment centers and inpatient hospitals.

(Offered as 90 minutes, 2 hours, 3 hours, or day-long training; also as a keynote)

COMPASSION FATIGUE AND THE ART OF CHRONIC SELF-CARE

Working with traumatized people has a profound impact on our personal lives---our thoughts, feelings, choices, relationships, physical health and spiritual beliefs. Although our clients often give us hope and restore our belief in the resiliency of human beings, the work can challenge or disrupt our sense of well-being. Too often we react to a crisis of well-being and many months later find ourselves in the same dilemma. This workshop will explore the highly individual ways that the work effects us as well as offering several strategies for chronic self-care. Participants are welcome to share professional and personal experiences during this time, however, the workshop may also have value for those who listen, reflect and choose not to share.

(Offered as 2 hours or 3 hours)

For more information about any of my trainings or workshops, please email me at lynkochava@aol.com.