Toronto

In this lively and interactive workshop we will: Define compassion fatigue and discuss how it looks and feels Explore risk factors for compassion fatigue Utilize an individual self-assessment tool to reflect on our own compassion satisfaction, stress and fatigue Explore some of the challenges to self-care Share and discuss a variety of self-care strategies Consider supplementary resources locally and online Learning opportunities includes: videos, practice exercises (breathing, grounding),small group discussion, large group discussion, individual reflection, facilitator sharing and humour. If…

For those who work with youth, managing challenging behaviours that interfere with development, learning, or success can be both frustrating and exhausting. This workshop will review challenging behaviours related to aggression, non-compliance, and attention-seeking, and will provide a framework for intervening with these behaviours. Participants will analyze the effectiveness of their current approach and develop insights into what is happening when attempts at intervention do not work. Guidelines for structuring interactions for positive outcomes will be given, and a coaching…

Many people who struggle with mental illness also struggle with an addiction. Recovery from both of these issues is complicated because they affect each other and are intertwined. Helpers may often be at a loss for where to start – did the addiction cause the mental illness, did the mental illness cause the addiction, or is there something else leading to both? This workshop provides a framework for working systemically with both issues at the same time. Participants will explore…

Adolescents presenting with explosive and violent, highly oppositional, school disruptive, serious eating-distressed, heavy substance abuse and self-injury, and delinquent behaviors can be a nightmare to work with even for the most seasoned of therapists. Often, these youth come from families characterized by emotional disconnection, invalidation, and other destructive interactions. The adolescents’ extreme and provocative behaviors attract helping professionals and concerned members from their social networks like a magnet. To further complicate matters, the larger systems professionals often are divided regarding…

Please join us for an important panel discussion on the Human Trafficking Crisis in Ontario: A Community Event to Help Educate the Public on HT Prevention and Awareness Our guest speakers include: Shelley Gilbert, Social Work Services, Legal Assistance of WindsorJennifer Richardson, Director of Ontario Provincial Anti-Human Trafficking Coordination Office, Ministry of Children, Community and Social ServicesDetective Staff Sergeant Coyer Yateman, Anti-Human Trafficking Investigation Unit, Ontario Provincial PoliceJulie Neubauer, Toronto Anti-Human Trafficking Services, Covenant House Toronto

The introduction of Ontario Health Teams brings significant new opportunities and challenges for the community mental health and addiction sector. Our Leadership Forum will focus on how we can work together to shape the new healthcare agenda, and ensure mental health and addiction are part of the solution. Join executive directors and CEOs from Ontario’s community mental health and addiction sector on November 18 for a robust conversation. The Leadership Forum is open to members in good standing of Addictions…

The community of practice meetings are conducted twice a year (May, after the conference & November) and provide an opportunity for colleagues to meet and share information around innovative program delivery, challenges in program delivery, current trends and much more. The break-out meetings are currently divided into residential treatment, community treatment, withdrawal management services, supportive housing, and youth services.

Due to limited resources and time, brief counselling interventions that are effective and efficient are becoming more in demand. This workshop is designed to move beyond general counselling skills and offer increased capacity and confidence to those wanting to expand their existing knowledge base and current skill set. Participants will acquire a deeper understanding of Cognitive Behavioural, Strengths-Based, Narrative, and Solution-Focused counselling frameworks. Practical strategies and techniques from each of these frameworks will be explored, accompanied with experiential opportunities to…

This training will provide guidance to those providing mental health care to young people and their families around providing culturally competent care for diverse young people. The training will discuss various ways that young people and their families may have felt unheard or uncomfortable in mental health settings due to their racial and/or ethnic identity and will discuss approaches that practitioners can use to help decrease barriers to care for such young people and their families. This training will discuss…

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 of personal communication styles. Participants will develop a clear understanding of how to assess the potential for violence and respond with a diverse set of…

Trauma is prevalent in our world and has an impact on many of the people we interact with, including our clients and colleagues. Compassionate and trauma-informed care is essential to providing effective support and building sustainable services. This workshop explores how to build a trauma-informed culture in a workplace setting that integrates knowledge throughout the organization. Participants will develop an understanding of the pervasive impact of trauma on individual health and relationships. Guiding principles will be explored for increasing emotional…