Continuing Education

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COUNSELLING SKILLS LEVEL 2

海角社区app the Presenters

Barry McClatchey and Jill Ceccolini founded Halifax Brief Therapy in 2003. Since that time, they have been providing training, supervision, and consultation in solution focused practice to clinicians, supervisors, and organizations throughout the Maritimes.

Jill Ceccolini, MSW, RSW听is a social worker, educator and therapist utilizing a collaborative, strengths-based approach in her clinical practice and in her work as a supervisor and trainer. She has a private practice working with individuals and couples. Since 1996, Jill has been teaching various levels of counselling skills, through the School of Social Work degree programs and through the Continuing Education program.

Barry McClatchey, MSW, RSW听has many years of experience as a clinical therapist, counselor, and trainer. Barry completed his BSW degree at Ryerson Polytechnic University in Toronto, and received his MSW degree from the School of Social Work, 海角社区app University. Barry has utilized a solution focused approach in his work with individuals, couples and families for over twenty years and has completed training in a variety of locations in North America. He is also a certified trainer in Feedback Informed Treatment practices through the International Center for Clinical Excellence in Chicago, Illinois.

I really appreciated Jill and Barry's feedback. It was very informative, practical and helpful."听

Summary

Counselling Skills Level 2 builds on the skills obtained in Counselling Skills Level 1. Mini lectures, discussions, reflective exercises, skill building activities, role play, and case studies are used to guide participants in their learning.

Peer consultation, collaborations, the excellent course material and helpful feedback from instructors all combined to contribute to an excellent course."听

Objectives

• to introduce participants to counselling tools and techniques to enhance assessment, intervention, and evaluation
• to provide participants with the opportunity to practice intervention tools and techniques
• to assist participants in exploring their use of self within the counselling relationship
• to assist participants in articulating their own philosophy and approach to counselling

I was looking for the opportunity to put skills into practice and this course provided that opportunity."听

Format

An adult education learning approach is used in the delivery of the program. Since the course is intended to be an experiential program, the methodology includes activities to engage participation. Participants are invited to practice counselling skills by participating in various exercises and simulations. This is accomplished through online group discussions, posting in a discussion form, viewing and discussing of videos, participating in and recording role plays, assigned reading materials and creative reflective exercises.

There are 6 modules in the Counselling Skills Level 2 online program.听It is expected that participants will complete 1 module per week with a minimum of 5 hours of participation per week.听Modules are designed so that learning is incremental throughout the 6-week program.听It is further expected that participants will complete all tasks and assignments during the week devoted to each specific module.听This ensures that all participants are working on the same module at the same time. As such, it is important for participants to begin each module on Monday of each week, so they can plan their time in a way that ensures the module will be completed on time.

This program is designed to allow participants to fit their studies into their busy schedules. Participants may log onto the course site at any time to complete the course work.听Counselling Skills Level 2 includes some activities which require participants in small groups to log in at a specified time. The online meeting times are determined by the group members.There are no scheduled lecture times. There are no required textbooks. All course materials are provided within the course site. The course site is available 24/7.

Thank you for an amazing, educational, enriching learning experience!"

Prerequisite

Participants must have completed our Counselling Skills Level 1 Certificate Program听or听an equivalent and have direct counselling experience. A university background in social work, psychology, criminology, human ecology, nursing, or occupational therapy is preferred. Please contact Karla at听coned@dal.ca听with questions regarding prerequisites.听

Enrolment is limited to 30 participants.

30 continuing education credit hours.

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TRAUMA-INFORMED FORENSIC INTERVIEWING (FORENSIC SOCIAL WORK 3)听

海角社区app the Presenter

Shawna Paris, ONS, KC, MSW, RSW-CS, PhD (stud.)听is a dual-qualified lawyer and clinical social worker with over twenty-one years of experience at the intersection of mental health and law. Her expertise lies in forensic social work and mental health. She has extensive experience in hospital-based mental health and addiction services spanning sixteen years. She served as panel Chair under Nova Scotia鈥檚听Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act, adjudicating complex legal and psychiatric issues related to involuntary care.

With thirty years as a legal practitioner, Shawna has been a devoted advocate for individuals navigating the legal system, particularly through therapeutic and specialty courts like the Mental Health and Wellness Court. She is a certified assessor for the Province of Nova Scotia under the听Adult Capacity and Decision-Making Act听and a credentialed assessor of the听Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs), a vital mitigation tool increasingly utilised in criminal court cases across Canada.

Shawna is the Executive Director of the National Institute of Forensic Social Work (Canada). She serves on the Board of Directors of the Forensic Social Work Alliance (formerly the National Association of Forensic Social Work in the U.S.A.). Licensed as a clinical social worker in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and registered in Alberta, Shawna operates a small private clinical practice and works as a critical incident response counsellor for an international health services organisation.

Shawna, an experienced educator, is dedicated to training and mentoring the next generation of social workers, generalist forensic specialists, health navigators, and legal professionals. She regularly develops and delivers courses across Canada and internationally in both the public and private sectors. She also leads workshops, seminars, and continuing education programs focused on generalist forensic practice. Her teaching highlights the importance of generalist forensic social work practice and preparing practitioners to incorporate trauma-informed social and cultural aspects into effective advocacy and casework within the legal system.

Through her extensive experience and advanced interdisciplinary training, Shawna continues to make meaningful contributions to the field of forensic social work in Canada and beyond, advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations.

I can't say enough about Shawna. She gave feedback and answered all questions. She created a sense of community online."听

Overview

Join our dynamic and interactive three-week online course designed to equip professionals with essential skills in trauma-informed forensic interviewing. This course takes a broad approach to the term "forensic interviewing." It blends foundational knowledge with practical application, ensuring the learner can effectively and compassionately conduct interviews within the scope of many justice-related professional roles. This course is designed for people with different levels of social work skills and experience, as well as social services professionals and generalists involved in the justice system. It is also suitable for individuals who conduct interviews across all age groups to gather information about interactions with the justice system.

What is Trauma-Informed Forensic Interviewing?

Trauma-informed forensic interviewing is a method of conducting structured interviews that considers the interviewee's trauma history and its potential impact on their behaviour, memory, and communication specific to legal matters. The trauma-informed approach creates a safe and supportive environment, ensuring the interview process does not re-traumatize the individual. By recognising and responding to trauma symptoms, professionals can gather accurate and comprehensive information while maintaining the dignity and well-being of the interviewee. This method is particularly crucial when working with Indigenous people, racialized people, newcomers to the country, and other vulnerable populations, such as children, survivors of abuse, or those who have experienced significant psychological distress.

Gain the knowledge and confidence to conduct interviews that respect and support those affected by trauma.

This course is absolutely ideal. The instructor's expertise, delivery, and support throughout makes learning a rewarding experience."

Goals & Objectives

The primary aim is to equip professionals with the skill and knowledge to conduct trauma-informed forensic interviews effectively. Learners will gain a deep understanding of trauma and its impact, learn how to implement trauma-informed care principles, recognize signs of trauma, master interview techniques, handle challenging scenarios with empathy, apply advanced skills, promote self-care and resilience, work across the life span, consider ethical issues, and integrate cultural competency into their practice. These goals and objectives are carefully designed to ensure that professionals can conduct interviews with integrity, sensitivity, and professionalism, ultimately positively impacting the justice system.

A trauma-informed cultural competency component is incorporated into each module so participants will develop a deeper understanding of how culture intersects with trauma and forensic interviewing, particularly concerning Indigenous peoples and those of other cultures, ethnicities and ancestry. This holistic approach to training will foster greater sensitivity, respect, and effectiveness in conducting trauma-informed interviews across diverse cultural contexts.听

I found the entire course incredibly beneficial. The video presentations were particularly captivating, and I thoroughly enjoyed delving into new terminology."

Course Structure

Module 1: Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care

• Explore trauma-informed care principles with a focus on cultural sensitivity, recognizing the diverse cultural backgrounds of interviewees, including Indigenous people, those from racialized communities, and age, ability and gender groups.
• Discuss how trauma manifests within different contexts, considering the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals from racialized communities.
• Engage in cultural competency exercises to develop skills in recognizing and respecting cultural differences during interviews, especially when working with individuals from racialized backgrounds.
• Understand trauma and its impact on behaviour and cognition.
• Learn the principles of trauma-informed practices, approaches and care.
• Recognize signs and symptoms of trauma through interactive exercises and case studies.

Module 2: Techniques for Trauma-Informed Interviewing

• Learn techniques for creating culturally safe interview environments that honour the values and traditions of interviewees, particularly those from Indigenous, racialized, ability and gender-based communities.
• Explore appropriate communication strategies and language use during interviews, focusing on effectively engaging with individuals from marginalized backgrounds.听
• Practice trauma-informed interviewing techniques through case scenarios that specifically address interviewing individuals from Indigenous, racialized and gender-identified communities, considering their cultural needs and perspectives.
• Master techniques for creating a safe interview environment.
• Develop cultural competency for trauma-informed practice in forensic interviewing.
• Develop practical communication skills and handle challenging scenarios using case studies.

Module 3: Application, Ethics and Skills

• Examine ethical considerations specific to interviewing individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, including those from racialized communities, and develop strategies to ensure culturally competent and ethical practices.
• Integrate trauma-informed principles into advanced questioning techniques and strategies for managing sensitive disclosures, recognising the importance of cultural understanding in fostering trust and rapport.
• Explore community engagement and collaboration approaches, emphasizing the importance of partnering with organizations serving racialized communities to ensure culturally responsive forensic interviewing practices.听
• Focus on self-care and resilience as a professional dealing with trauma.
• Explore follow-up and treatment services for individuals.
• Conduct a self-recorded 10- to 15-minute trauma-informed interview simulation.
• Develop a personal action plan for continuous improvement.

Key Features

Our course offers a range of key features designed to enhance your learning experience and ensure your mastery of trauma-informed forensic interviewing techniques. You will engage with high-quality video lectures, participate in case studies, and take several quizzes to test your knowledge. You will refine your skills through thought-provoking critical thinking exercises and engage with peers in discussion forums to exchange experiences and broaden perspectives. You will also have an option to leverage your learning with regular communications with the instructor for extra guidance.

This course also emphasizes ethical considerations integral to trauma-informed forensic interviewing. Learners will gain insight into ethical guidelines and principles governing professional conduct within the justice system. You will explore ethical dilemmas commonly encountered during interviews and learn strategies to navigate them with integrity and professionalism. Through the case studies and online discussions, learners will develop a nuanced understanding of moral responsibilities in interviewing vulnerable populations. By incorporating ethical considerations into your practice, you'll ensure that your interviews uphold the highest standards of fairness, confidentiality, and respect for individuals.

I gained valuable insights into the critical importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals, especially those who have experienced trauma."

Format

This course includes three weekly modules. Each module requires approximately 4 hours of online work.

Speed of learning and ease with technology will affect the time it takes to complete the course exercises. Basic technical and computer skills are required to watch online videos, post questions and comments, and navigate the website.

Participants are required to complete a minimum of 80% of the course content to receive a completion letter. Participants who complete the course will also receive a Certificate of Completion from the National Institute of Forensic Social Work.听

There are no scheduled lecture times. The course site is available 24/7.

12 continuing education credit hours.