V-STEP: Lisa Ferentz - Trauma Informed Assessments (Session I of 4)

This V-STEP session is a four part training by Lisa Ferentz that explores the elements of trauma and its victims as well as victim service professionals. Each trainings and its summary is outlined below.

TITLE: V-STEP: Lisa Ferentz - Trauma Informed Assessments (Session 1 of 4)

DATE and TIME: Monday January 6, 2025 ~ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

SUMMARY:

Session I: Trauma Informed Assessments

Although many mental health agencies and organizations are legitimately expressing the need for clinicians to be “trauma informed,” the reality is, the definition of that phrase is open to much interpretation. In this workshop we will explore what “trauma informed” really means, and we will address the importance of applying trauma informed concepts in the earliest phases of treatment. This includes doing an intake without doing harm as well as understanding the safest way to gather important historical and family or origin information throughout the fluid assessment phase of treatment. We will also explore the necessity of weaving strengths-based questions into the assessment process, what to do when inadvertent triggering occurs, and how to re-ground and resource clients thus increasing the likelihood that they commit to staying in treatment.

OBJECTIVES:

• Identify and implement at least six questions that offer an indirect, safer, and less triggering approach to gathering trauma-based information
• Identify and implement at least four clinical questions designed to focus on clients’ strengths while heightening safety and trust in the therapeutic relationship.
• Identify and implement at least four clinical questions designed to focus on clients’ strengths while heightening safety and trust in the therapeutic relationship.
• Describe how to slow down and safely pace the gathering of trauma material when clients don’t have the ability to pace themselves.
• Implement strategies to enhance safety and grounding when clients become dysregulated during assessment and throughout the course of trauma treatment.

TRAINER BIO:

Lisa Ferentz, LCSW-C DAPA

The Ferentz Institute [email protected]

Lisa is a recognized expert in the strengths-based, de-pathologized treatment of trauma and has been in private practice for over 38 years. She presents workshops and keynote addresses nationally and internationally, and is a clinical consultant to practitioners and mental health agencies in the United States, Canada, the UK and Ireland. She has been an Adjunct Faculty member at several Universities, and is the Founder of “The Ferentz Institute,” now in its fifteenth year of providing continuing education to mental health professionals and graduating several thousand clinicians from her two Certificate Programs in Advanced Trauma Treatment. In 2009 she was voted the “Social Worker of Year” by the Maryland Society for Clinical Social Work. Lisa is the author of “Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Traumatized Clients: A Clinician’s Guide,” now in its second edition, “Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors: A Workbook of Hope and Healing,” and “Finding Your Ruby Slippers: Transformative Life Lessons From the Therapist’s Couch.” Lisa also hosted a weekly radio talk show, writes blogs and articles for websites on trauma, attachment, self-destructive behaviors, and self-care, teaches on many webinars, and is a contributor to Psychologytoday.com. You can follow Lisa’s work on her website, theferentzinstitute.com, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Training Contact:

Anne Milun (Litecky), VASIII, Program Coordinator, 410-837-5055, [email protected], Nicole Feldhaus-Litecky, [email protected], 410-274-4655, Cherie Peay, [email protected], 443-600-1621

ROPER VICTIM ASSISTANCE ACADEMY OF MARYLAND (RVAAM) University of Baltimore

Victim Services Training Enhancement Program (V-STEP)…Bringing Crime Victim Training and Certification to Maryland Communities

RVAAM selected curriculum has been approved for specific professions (e.g. social work, law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole) Participants will receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and are welcome to ask for academic credits. All participants will receive a Certificate of Training (1 credit per hour).

2023V-STEP: Regional Victim Services Advanced Trainings are held in 5 regional locations across Maryland. Please contact Anne Litecky, V-STEP Program Coordinator for information or to schedule a training at your agency or organization.

Event Venue

Online