The children and families we are privileged to support are remarkable in many ways. These are children and families who often face adversity socially, economically, and/or personally. For many, this adversity presents in layers, with challenges that mount and that may become overwhelming. However, these are also children and families who have within them inspiring wells of resilience. As supporting professionals, our interface with these children and families can be key to tapping such resilience. The focus of this keynote address will be on attuning to the voices and experiences of today’s children and families so that we can ensure: 1) a holistic understanding of the issues they confront; 2) the inspiration of humanity in each of us as we approach our work; and 3) a cultivation of continued momentum in our collective drive towards the best possible outcomes.

Workshop 1

The Inner Workings of Attachment (Part A)

Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, Registered Psychologist and Clinic Founder, The Wishing Star - Lapointe Psychology Services (bio)

The key to growing up children who are emotionally healthy lies first and foremost in promoting rich and nurturing relationships between them and their caregivers. When children have strong, healthy, positive relationships with their caregivers, they are better able to manage their emotions, regulate their behaviour, and relate to the world around them. This workshop will focus on understanding what “attachment” really is – the science behind it, how it develops, what it looks like, and the long-term outcomes associated with it. It is through attachment that true resilience is realized.

*Participation in Workshop 1 is a pre-requisite for participation in Workshop 6.

Workshop 2

Compassion Fatigue: What it Looks Like and What to do About It

Dr. Susan Tasker, Assistant Professor in the Counselling Psychology Program of the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies, University of Victoria (bio)

An educational, practical and highly interactive workshop where we discuss, describe, and actively explore the special and different case of compassion fatigue as distinct from what we commonly understand and refer to as “burnout.” Workshop participants are provided with a working understanding of what compassion fatigue is, what to do about it, how to recognize its early warning signs and how to proactively guard against its development. Time will be given to conversation about the co-existence of vicarious or secondary traumatisation in some instances of compassion fatigue; most especially in those working in frontline health, mental health, social service and emergency services or in family caregivers of traumatically injured family members. The workshop includes facilitator-directed solo thinking and writing exercises, small and whole group discussions, and conversation around creative self-care tools and strategies at both individual and organizational levels. Participants will be challenged to reflect honestly on their own work/life way of being and to make meaningful and realistic commitments to rejigging their work/life way of being by making and implementing effective and lasting changes. (This workshop will be repeated on Tuesday afternoon as Workshop 7.)

*This workshop will be repeated on Tuesday afternoon (Workshop 7).

Workshop 3

Building Personal Resilience

Dr. Dave Whittington, Principal, Calliope Learning and Associate Faculty Member at Royal Roads University (bio)

This workshop will explore five practices that together help people see themselves more clearly, live their lives more authentically and create balance and resilience. This isn’t the only path to personal resilience, but these five practices provide a common-sense approach that is easy to understand and realistic to apply. The five practices we’ll explore are:

1. Know yourself – What are we good at, what are our strengths, how can we do more of these things? Where do we need help, who can we call on for help? Are we clear about our values, do we know what our “deal-breakers” really are?

2. Set clear goals – We need really clear goals. This isn’t news: “Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbour he is making for, no wind is the right wind”. Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4BC – 65AD). We need short term goals so that we can measure progress and we need long term goals so that we know which direction to head in.

3. Lighten up – Most of the truly successful people I’ve met seem to be having fun. They have a sense of humour, they don’t take themselves very seriously and they laugh a lot. It’s often difficult for us to find humour in the world around us, but we need to find it, and share it with others whenever we can.

4. Persevere – We need to stick at it. We need to work on these practices continually, until they become a habit. Changing habits takes time and there is no instant fix. This is a lifelong exploration. We need to deliberately and consistently put effort into building resilience. This means scheduling time for ourselves to do the reflective work we need to do.

5. Embrace paradox – Writers have been eloquent in exploring the paradoxical nature of leadership. It tells us that we have to be both tough and tender, we have to be grounded and visionary, we should be humble and willful, we should be authentic and at the same time self-managed. We will continually meet competing (and often seemingly opposite) demands on ourselves. We often end up perplexed and frustrated. We need to find another way.

On the face of it, these practices are not new. This experiential workshop will explore different (hopefully insightful) approaches we can use to build these simple, yet powerful, ideas into our busy schedules.  

Workshop 4

A Natural Fit: Nature-based Therapies in the Context of Child, Youth and Family Work (Part A)

Katy Rose (bio) and David Segal (bio), Registered Clinical Counselors, Human-Nature Counselling & Consulting

This two-part workshop aims to introduce both the theory and practice of nature-based therapies in promoting health and resilience with children, youth and families. Through the introduction of the latest research, theoretical rationales, and engaging in fun experiential activities, participants will take away practical tools for incorporating this cutting edge field into their own lives and work in various settings.

Over the past four years Dave and Katy have been contributing to the promotion of the field of nature-based therapies in BC through innovative program delivery and sharing their learning through workshops and presentations. They continue to be inspired by the endless possibilities of this field through their ongoing involvement in the Family Roots Adventure Therapy Group (a community partnership program in the Sooke and Westshore communities) and their work through Human-Nature Counselling and Consulting.

Learning goals:

Workshop 5

Outcome-Focused Client Assessment

This two hour workshop will walk participants through the client assessment process from an outcomes perspective. Working from a clear understanding of what a program or service is intended to achieve, participants will discuss how assessments can be structured and conducted in a way that supports the development of targeted goals aligned with program outcomes. Examples of tool and measures that can support the assessment process and are consistent with accreditation requirements will be reviewed.

Warren Helfrich, PhD Candidate, Registered Clinical Counsellor (bio);

Workshop 6

Finding A Way Through: Putting the Science of Attachment to Work (Part B)

Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, Registered Psychologist and Clinic Founder, The Wishing Star - Lapointe Psychology Services (bio)

The attachment relationship is the foundation of everything else in terms of human development. When the attachment relationship is working for a child, the child is freed to grow, mature, and develop in the best possible way. But how does all of this translate into the nitty gritty of everyday life? What does it look like to guide a child through his or her day in a way that supports this understanding of what the child needs in order to grow up? In this workshop, we will seek to translate some of our theoretical understanding of what it takes to grow up a happy kids into the realities of everyday life. This will include a focus on finding your way through using the science of attachment, ideas and guiding principles for day-to-day applications, and the “front-loading” of attachment in terms of creating emotionally safe environments for children.

*Participants in Workshop 6 must have taken Workshop 1 on Tuesday morning.

Workshop 7

Compassion Fatigue: What it Looks Like and What to do About It
(repeat session)

Dr. Susan Tasker, Assistant Professor in the Counselling Psychology Program of the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies, University of Victoria (bio)

An educational, practical and highly interactive workshop where we discuss, describe, and actively explore the special and different case of compassion fatigue as distinct from what we commonly understand and refer to as “burnout.” Workshop participants are provided with a working understanding of what compassion fatigue is, what to do about it, how to recognize its early warning signs and how to proactively guard against its development. Time will be given to conversation about the co-existence of vicarious or secondary traumatisation in some instances of compassion fatigue; most especially in those working in frontline health, mental health, social service and emergency services or in family caregivers of traumatically injured family members. The workshop includes facilitator-directed solo thinking and writing exercises, small and whole group discussions, and conversation around creative self-care tools and strategies at both individual and organizational levels. Participants will be challenged to reflect honestly on their own work/life way of being and to make meaningful and realistic commitments to rejigging their work/life way of being by making and implementing effective and lasting changes. (This workshop is repeated from Tuesday morning as Workshop 2.)

*This workshop is also offered on Tuesday morning (Workshop 2).

Workshop 8

Working effectively with Aboriginal Peoples and Aboriginal Organizations

Paul Lacerte, Executive Director of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (bio)

Personal and systemic relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples and institutions continue to be burdened by historical trauma, alienation, and mistrust. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities often struggle to build sustainable, respectful, and reciprocal relationships despite the good intentions and best efforts of many thought leaders and change agents.

We are now experiencing a time in our shared history where community resiliency is increasingly dependent on the creation of non-traditional alliances and partnerships. One of the most critical and pressing of these is the relationship between Canada’s First Peoples and non-Aboriginal Canadians. This workshop will explore our historical relationship within a legal and social context and offer key reflections and strategies in the following areas:

• Partnership Models
• Traditional Protocols
• Elder Engagement

Workshop 9

A Natural Fit: Nature-based Therapies in the Context of Child, Youth and Family Work (Part B)

Katy Rose (bio) and David Segal (bio), Registered Clinical Counselors, Human-Nature Counselling & Consulting

This two-part workshop aims to introduce both the theory and practice of nature-based therapies in promoting health and resilience with children, youth and families. Through the introduction of the latest research, theoretical rationales, and engaging in fun experiential activities, participants will take away practical tools for incorporating this cutting edge field into their own lives and work in various settings.

Over the past four years Dave and Katy have been contributing to the promotion of the field of nature-based therapies in BC through innovative program delivery and sharing their learning through workshops and presentations. They continue to be inspired by the endless possibilities of this field through their ongoing involvement in the Family Roots Adventure Therapy Group (a community partnership program in the Sooke and Westshore communities) and their work through Human-Nature Counselling and Consulting.

Learning goals:

Workshop 10

Outcome-Focused Goal Setting

This two hour workshop will focus on how to develop client goals from an outcomes perspective. Beginning from an understanding of assessed client need, participants will discuss different approaches and methodologies for collaboratively developing clients goals that reflect program level outcomes. Examples of goal planning templates and tools that meet accreditation requirements and support a collaborative and targeted goal planning process will be reviewed.

Warren Helfrich, PhD Candidate, Registered Clinical Counsellor (bio)

This session draws upon stories illustrating innovative approaches to tapping the capacity of communities and employers and practicing the key to innovation, which often is simply knowing the rules better than those enforcing the rules. This session will challenge participants to think differently about barriers and opportunities in employment; about how to meld job seeker needs with those of employers; about career opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities or other barriers to employment; about the need for expansive relationships with non-traditional partners; and about the role inventiveness plays in our daily worklife.

Included will be a host of examples drawn from negotiated and customized employment, including small business ownership. Technical aspects of employment discussed will include working effectively within various systems, using the “Discovery” assessment process for developing strong vocational profiles based on the skills & tasks the person performs, their vocational themes, and strategies for engaging employers.

Workshop 13

Trauma Resourcing for Mental Health Practitioners (Part A)

Timothy Black, Trauma Specialist and Group Training Expert, Associate Professor, Counselling Psychology, University of Victoria (bio)

More and more mental health workers are working with impact of trauma in the lives of their clients. A crucial aspect of doing trauma work is the preparatory phase of “resourcing” in which clients are taught how to draw on positives in their lives and/or how to create positives when none are present. Resourcing is considered the first step in preparing someone to face the difficult challenges of revisiting the trauma of their past and will be the focus of the two sessions. Part A will involve an introduction to trauma and resourcing from a conceptual point of view, laying a foundation of understanding for Part B in which participants will be coached to learn several resourcing techniques. In part B, resourcing techniques will be introduced, taught and coached using a micro-skills model, providing participants with experiential learning and training in the techniques. Participants of both sessions will leave with a greater understanding of the important role that resourcing plays not only in doing future trauma work, but of the role that it can play in providing clients with real-life skills to cope with their current situations. Participants will leave with several applied “tools” for using with their clients including the chance to have practiced them with feedback from Dr. Black.  

*Participation in Workshop 13 is a pre-requisite for participation in Workshop 18.

Workshop 14

Dealing With Anxiety Disorders in School Settings (Part A)

Lynn Miller, Associate Professor in the Education and Counseling Psychology and Special Education Department, University of British Columbia (bio)

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of psychological distress reported by children and adolescents, and can interfere significantly in the lives of children. An anxiety disorder is a level of anxiety that interferes with daily functioning, either with peer relationships, academic performance, or in family routines. Children with anxiety disorders are shy, inhibited, and avoidant: school personnel are typically very good at identifying anxiety in children but may not use the most effective interventions to support students.

This workshop will help participants to:

Workshop 15

Remembering YOU: Self-Care for Caregivers

Lynda Monk, Registered Social Worker, Certified Professional Life Coach and Founder of Creative Wellness (bio)

Does most of your energy and focus go towards caring for others including your clients, colleagues, family and friends? Do you ever feel your own self-care needs get neglected in the midst of it all? This workshop is a mini retreat where you will creatively explore what it means to care for yourself in mind, body, heart and spirit for the purpose of renewal and well-being as a caregiver and/or helping professional. Self-care is foundational to maintaining health, wellness, career satisfaction and quality practice for those who give a lot themselves in service to the learning, growth and well-being of others.

During this two-hour interactive session, participants will have the opportunity to:

This is not just another talk on the importance of self-care but rather an inspiring, holistic, compassionate invitation to look closely into the heart of self-care as a pathway to both personal and professional satisfaction and well-being through mindfully Remembering YOU.

Workshop 16

Linking Discovery & Job Development: A Customized Approach
(Part B)

Cary Griffin, Senior Partner at Griffin-Hammis Associates (bio)

This presentation uses numerous examples from urban, suburban and rural settings to illustrate how the Discovering Personal Genius assessment approach is used to develop solid vocational themes that drive targeted, individualized, and creative job development. Customized Employment techniques will be examined, and an emerging structure resulting in the development of at least 3 overarching vocational themes supported by 20 local work environments for each theme “where the career makes sense” combine to form a solid career plan. This session includes discussion of business ownership as a viable option; the use of amalgamated funded sources; and team roles. The session includes specific actions that participants can take back to their communities and begin using immediately. Further, this session will detail how the non-comparative approaches to job development used in Customized Employment, as opposed to traditional competitive and charity models, benefit people with disabilities and others facing employment barriers, and how negotiated jobs demand attention to social capital, economic development, and shared interests between applicant and employer.

Workshop 17

safeTALK: Suicide Alertness for Everyone

Sue Eastgard, Senior Trainer, LivingWorks Education Inc

The safeTALK three-hour suicide alertness training program will take place on Wednesday, May 2, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm (note that this is one hour longer than other concurrent workshops that afternoon). This program alerts community members to signs that a person may be considering suicide. It acknowledges that while most people at risk of suicide signal their distress and invite help, these intervention opportunities are often overlooked. Participants learn to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and to respond in ways that link them with further suicide intervention help. Powerful videos illustrate both non-alert and alert responses to persons with thoughts of suicide. Discussion, questions and practice stimulate learning. Basic steps that contribute to saving lives are provided. A wallet card/smart phone app help recall the suicide alert steps when needed.

Workshop 18

Trauma Resourcing for Mental Health Practitioners (Part B)

Timothy Black, Trauma Specialist and Group Training Expert, Associate Professor, Counselling Psychology, University of Victoria (bio)

More and more mental health workers are working with impact of trauma in the lives of their clients. A crucial aspect of doing trauma work is the preparatory phase of “resourcing” in which clients are taught how to draw on positives in their lives and/or how to create positives when none are present. Resourcing is considered the first step in preparing someone to face the difficult challenges of revisiting the trauma of their past and will be the focus of the two sessions. Part A will involve an introduction to trauma and resourcing from a conceptual point of view, laying a foundation of understanding for Part B in which participants will be coached to learn several resourcing techniques. In part B, resourcing techniques will be introduced, taught and coached using a micro-skills model, providing participants with experiential learning and training in the techniques. Participants of both sessions will leave with a greater understanding of the important role that resourcing plays not only in doing future trauma work, but of the role that it can play in providing clients with real-life skills to cope with their current situations. Participants will leave with several applied “tools” for using with their clients including the chance to have practiced them with feedback from Dr. Black.

*Participants in Workshop 18 must have taken Workshop 13 on Wednesday morning.

Workshop 19

Dealing With Anxiety Disorders in School Settings (Part B)

Lynn Miller, Associate Professor in the Education and Counseling Psychology and Special Education Department, University of British Columbia (bio)

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of psychological distress reported by children and adolescents, and can interfere significantly in the lives of children. An anxiety disorder is a level of anxiety that interferes with daily functioning, either with peer relationships, academic performance, or in family routines. Children with anxiety disorders are shy, inhibited, and avoidant: school personnel are typically very good at identifying anxiety in children but may not use the most effective interventions to support students.

This workshop will help participants to:

Workshop 20

Life Source Writing™: A Reflective Journaling Practice for Caregiver Well-Being

Lynda Monk, Registered Social Worker, Certified Professional Life Coach and Founder of Creative Wellness (bio)

Did you know that you can improve your health, reduce stress and enhance balance through regular reflective journal writing? If you are someone who writes, journals, or are interested in the transformational power of reflective writing as a tool for self-care and well-being - this session is for you. During this workshop, participants will:

Life Source Writing™ is informed by the healing and expressive arts, mind/body wellness, and mindfulness practices. Lynda developed this journaling method flowing from her 25 years as a journal writer combined with her many years working within the health, wellness, and personal growth fields as a social worker, healer, writer and life coach. Join this experiential workshop session to discover how Life Source Writing™ can support your growth and well-being as a caregiver.