Secondary Trauma & Self Care: A Workshop for Nonprofit Workers

Posted by Blue Door Group on October 19, 2015

“The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk through water without getting wet.” – Rachel Remen

Working with and around people who have been impacted by violence and trauma can take a toll.

In order to protect ourselves against the effects of secondary trauma*, we must recognize the signs and learn to practice self-care inside and outside of the workplace.

(*Secondary trauma is the stress that results from being exposed to trauma through hearing a firsthand account of a traumatic event. Secondary trauma often occurs during a helping relationship with a traumatized or suffering person.)

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• name the symptoms and signs of secondary trauma
• identify skills and strategies to use in practicing self-care inside and outside of the workplace
• create a personalized self-care plan for use in preventing secondary trauma

Where: The Cedar Works, 4919 Pentridge St., 19143.

When: November 4, 6:30-8:30pm

Cost: $30/person, or $125/year-of-service program for up to 6 people

Facilitator: Susanna Gilbertson, MSW of The Blue Door Group will be facilitating this workshop. Susanna has worked as a social worker in diverse settings including in domestic violence and homeless shelters, on a crisis hotline, in a school, and in people’s homes. Susanna now teaches at Community College of Philadelphia and the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

To register: Registration form here. Deadline to register is October 26, 2015.

http://www.thebluedoorgroup.net/#!about1/c916