Intake conversations can be a critical juncture for individuals seeking services, often inducing significant stress as people are required to share their personal stories to access care. These conversations can profoundly shape the course of service and have effects on the individuals. Therefore, great responsibility lies with intake staff to assist people to experience safety ... Read more

Dr. Murphy is a physician, psychotherapist and hypnotherapist with more than 30 years of experience in the mental healthcare field. Clinicians who can benefit from this workshop, include physicians, surgeons, nurses, personal support workers, social workers, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, addiction counsellors and psychologists. The workshop is for any clinician who is interested in learning more about ... Read more

Anxiety represents our body’s natural alarm system, signalling the possibility of danger. When this response arises too frequently or intensely and doesn’t match actual situations of danger, it can interfere with life and cause great distress. While every person experiences anxiety, it is estimated that over a quarter of the population will experience anxiety at ... Read more

Family violence occurs in every community and culture, and it has profound effects on every person involved. This workshop examines different forms of violence within family relationships, including psychological, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Assessment areas will be reviewed to help understand the impact of violence on individuals, relationships, and communities. Intervention strategies for working ... Read more

In today’s complex world, most children and adolescents experience ups and downs and engage in challenging behaviours from time to time. However, these behaviours become problematic when they occur frequently and begin to impair daily functioning. The prevalence of emotional and behavioural issues in young individuals has surged, often without adequate support, leading to potential ... Read more

Stressed out? Overworked? In need of a fresh perspective? Welcome to your one-day creative cocoon; a place and time to experience the power of presence and intuitive artmaking. This retreat is designed for service providers and caregivers who feel called to reconnect with their sense of purpose through yoga, meditation, journalling, creative visualization, expressive artmaking, ... Read more

Critical incidents are situations that occur outside of our normal frame of reference and challenge us to understand and cope with what has happened. Critical Incident Group Debriefing (CIGD) is a short-term group intervention process that focuses on an immediate event. CIGD is one of several methods that may be utilized to lessen the likelihood ... Read more

Critical incidents are situations that occur outside of our normal frame of reference and challenge us to understand and cope with what has happened. Critical Incident Group Debriefing (CIGD) is a short-term group intervention process that focuses on an immediate event. CIGD is one of several methods that may be utilized to lessen the likelihood ... Read more

This workshop is designed to provide participants with a foundational understanding of recovery-oriented practice in community mental health and addiction settings. The assessment process is discussed using a recovery-oriented lens. The practical application of the framework is reinforced through large and small group discussions using various client studies.  Participants will:

The ability to thrive and manage life’s difficulties is greatly influenced by our mental wellbeing from an early age. Children and youth need supports in their lives to help navigate the challenges that come along with mental health, and to connect them with the necessary support and services. This workshop provides a general overview of ... Read more

Helpers regularly encounter stories and symptoms of trauma in their roles. There is growing evidence that the impact of directly supporting others through experiences of trauma goes beyond burnout or fatigue. The toll of witnessing intense human experiences and emotions can contribute to a negative transformation of a helper’s own sense of safety, and of ... Read more

Helping children work through adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is difficult but important work because they can have lifelong effects on mental, physical, and relationship health. This workshop provides a deeper understanding of trauma's effects on a child's brain and teaches practical strategies for supporting children and their caregivers. You will discover how to identify ACEs, ... Read more

Clear, concise, factual, and timely client documentation is foundational to the provision of quality human services. This workshop offers a framework for writing client documentation as a standard of practice required by most regulatory colleges in the Province of Ontario.   Participants will learn about the importance of: collecting and maintaining accurate client documentation to ... Read more

The workshop will review methods to conceptualise co-morbidity in mental health, prevalence, patterns and its impact on the outcomes of mental health conditions. A phenomenological approach to Cognitive behavioural therapy is useful to delineate and formulate co-morbidity. This goes beyond the formulation framework of most therapies and often goes unaddressed in teaching therapy approaches. The workshop also ... Read more

Dealing with issues related to mental health in the workplace can be challenging and difficult to navigate. It is essential that organizations have the capabilities to manage mental health because early identification and support typically leads to continued productivity and retention of employees. This workshop provides a roadmap to help managers participate in conversations with ... Read more

For those who work in an environment where there is potential for violence, it is important to develop the skills needed to defuse dangerous situations. This workshop is designed to teach people to de-escalate potentially violent situations through assertiveness and interpersonal communication. The training will explore how anger and violence interplay, including opportunities for self-assessment ... Read more

Youth who are struggling with an addiction often resist attempts at intervention. While some youth are merely experimenting, others may have larger unmet needs that can lead to a negative pattern of use. This workshop provides a framework for responding to a variety of addictions, including those related to substances, gaming, internet, and pornography. Participants ... Read more