Trauma-Informed Care Essentials

Issues of mental health and trauma are increasingly prevalent and significantly impact interactions with service users and colleagues in the shelter system. Adopting a trauma-informed lens is essential to providing effective, compassionate, and sustainable support. This training workshop is a condensed version of Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care and Advanced Trauma-Informed Care, designed to provide the essential knowledge […]

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Cognitive Behavioural Techniques (CBT) in Social Services

Chris Rouse

This workshop serves as an introduction to evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Techniques (CBT) applicable in various community-based social service settings. Participants will gain insight into how thoughts influence behaviour and how cognitive-behavioural interventions can be powerful tools for helping clients address issues such as addiction, depression, and anxiety. Through active learning, case examples, and role play,

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Advanced Harm Reduction

Chris Rouse

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of harm reduction as a person-centred, trauma-informed philosophy and practical framework for supporting individuals who use substances within shelter, supportive housing, and outreach settings. Participants will examine how harm reduction promotes dignity, safety, autonomy, and inclusion while aligning with Toronto Shelter Standards and supportive housing requirements. Through interactive discussions,

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Introduction to Substance Use and Addictions

Chris Rouse

This workshop provides social service professionals with a foundational understanding of substance use and addiction, with a focus on current issues and trends affecting individuals and communities. Participants will explore the complex nature of substance use, the impact of addiction on physical and mental health, and the broader social determinants influencing addiction patterns. The workshop

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Advanced Motivational Interviewing

Chris Rouse

This session builds on the strategies covered in the “Introduction to Motivational Interviewing” workshop. While Motivational Interviewing can be “simple but not easy” to integrate into your regular counselling style, this highly interactive workshop offers an opportunity to develop and practice these skills more extensively. The session will emphasize case discussions and hands-on practice, so

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Trauma and Substance Use (Formerly Seeking Safety)

Chris Rouse

This workshop offers an in-depth exploration of the Seeking Safety model, a highly effective and evidence-based approach for the concurrent treatment of trauma and substance use. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the model’s core principles—safety, integrated treatment, and empowerment—and learn how to apply them in diverse clinical settings. The workshop provides practical tools

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Introduction to Motivational Interviewing

Tracy Murdoch

Do you feel restricted in helping clients and shelter residents with questionable motivation? Are the concepts of motivation, resistance, ambivalence, and compliance confusing? This training course explores motivation as an interactive process between clients/residents and counselors, offering practical tools to address key issues in counseling and support situations. Special emphasis will be placed on working

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Introduction to Case Management

Tracy Murdoch

Case management plays a vital role in the helping professions, ensuring that service users receive the necessary services and access to the right resources to meet their unique needs and overcome challenges. This training workshop is designed to equip people who work in the social services sector with essential skills and knowledge to effectively support

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Cognitive Behavioural Techniques

Tracy Murdoch

This training workshop serves as an introduction to evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Techniques (CBT) applicable in various community-based social service settings. Participants will gain insight into how thoughts influence behaviour and how cognitive-behavioural interventions can be powerful tools for helping clients address issues such as addiction, depression, and anxiety. Through active learning, case examples, and role

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Addiction Support Workers