Hope & Healing Training Institute

December 2022 - Annual Conference

Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center Annual Conference
December 8th 2022 – 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM – 6 CEs - $50

Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Lisa Najavits, author of the acclaimed
Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse

Morning Plenary Session: When Trauma Meets Faith

Presented by Tia Payne, Executive Director Legacy 31

Tia Payne is the visionary behind Legacy31 founded on the scripture Proverbs 31:25. Tia brings 15yrs of advocating on behalf of victims and their children. With this experience, through Legacy31, she has the unique privilege of offering a variety of faith-based crisis intervention services to victims of intimate partner violence. Tia works with organizations such as Summit County Victims Assistance Program in Akron, Ohio as part of the Expert Training Team providing education on trauma response to the professional community. She is also a member of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network board of directors where she co-chairs the DEI committee and is a part of the finance committee. To date, Tia is a published author of “reflections of a PK” and a co-author in Bloom Vol. 2 where her chapter is titled “She Survived”. In March of 2021 Tia begin the “She Survived Movement” offering female survivors a way to share their stories loudly and with no shame. Tia facilitates support groups, offer trainings and workshops on a variety of topics centered around IPV survivors and those connected to them. Tia offers teen empowerment sessions focusing on “Healthy Relationships” as well as “What is Consent”. If you are looking for someone to empower your church or organization you can reach her by email at tiapayne@legacy31.org, legacy31_ on Instagram, and on Facebook @legacy31.25.

Morning Breakout Session Choice 1

The Effects of Dissociation on the Traumatic Healing Process

Presented by Jared Sparks, MA, LPCC

Dissociation is often defined as the separation of some aspects of mental functioning from conscious awareness. However, it is so much more than that. Dissociation is a word that is often used for many different symptoms, and at times, it is understood differently by various professionals. Understanding how to work with and treat individuals that are experiencing dissociative symptoms is vastly important in navigating trauma-informed care in a safe and therapeutic manner. Using the knowledge from this presentation can assist clinicians in understanding the effects of trauma on mental health as well as lead to increased dissociative symptoms. Being aware of how you interact with your clients that are experience trauma-related symptoms can help in achieving integration and improving mindfulness skills.

Morning Breakout Session Choice 2

Hospital Response for Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

Presented by Lily Holderbaum, MSN,RN,SANE-A, Jane Bryan and Jamie Saal, Forensic Nurses, RN, BSN, SANE-A

The Ohio Domestic Violence Network reported an increase in severity of violence and injuries during domestic violence incidents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as an increase in strangulation incidents. As survivors present to the hospital after a domestic violence incident, it is imperative to provide survivors with a trauma-informed response. This presentation will provide information on the medical response to survivors and will utilize a case study to identify appropriate responses to survivors in the medical setting.

Morning Breakout Session Choice 3

Boundaries and Community: Building Relationships in the Trauma Informed Care Setting

Presented by: Mandi Pierson, LISW-S

This presentation will identify the importance of the helping relationships when working with survivors of trauma and will introduce connections between long-term relationship building and relationships impacted by trauma. The presentation will provide connections between attachment style and attachment related trauma to present day relational skills. Participants will gain an understanding of relationship building as trauma-informed essential strategies. Participants will also learn how to Improve relationship building skills in the TIC setting and how trauma informs the helping alliance. This presentation will also review how to respond to misunderstandings and challenges within the helping relationship, while also identifying personal boundaries and self-care strategies within the trauma-informed care setting all in an effort to provide trauma survivors with high quality care.

Keynote Speaker Address – Dr. Lisa Najavits, author of the acclaimed Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse

Lisa M. Najavits, PhD is director of Treatment Innovations and adjunct professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School. She was on the faculty of Harvard Medical School for 25 years and was a research psychologist at Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Boston for 12 years. Her major clinical and research interests are substance abuse, trauma, co-morbidity, behavioral addictions, veterans' mental health, community-based care, development of new psychotherapies, and outcome research. She is author of over 200 professional publications, as well as the books Seeking Safety (a treatment manual for trauma and addiction); Finding Your Best Self (self-help for trauma and addiction); and A Woman's Addiction Workbook. She has served as president of the Society of Addiction Psychology of the American Psychological Association; and has consulted widely on public health efforts in addictions and trauma, both nationally and internationally, including to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Surgeon General, the United Nations, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. She is on various advisory boards and has received awards including the Betty Ford Award of the Addiction Medical Education and Research Association; the Young Professional Award of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies; the Early Career Contribution Award of the Society for Psychotherapy Research; and the Emerging Leadership Award of the American Psychological Association Committee on Women. She is a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts and conducts a psychotherapy practice. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from Vanderbilt University and her bachelor's degree with honors from Barnard College of Columbia University.

Afternoon Breakout Session Choice 1

Sexual Assault of Women of Color: Establishing an Equitable and Culturally Specific Response

Presented by Teresa Stafford, Chief Executive Officer, Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center

Sexual assault against Women of Color has historically been an attack not only against their identities as women but against their racial identity as well. Research indicates that Women of Color are often at elevated risks for sexual assault and that their experience of sexual assault is usually made more complex by factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and lack of culturally appropriate services. This presentation will connect the historical sexual assault of Women of Color and its implications for society's response to Women of Color survivors today. Learning objectives include: (1) Gaining an understanding of the history of Women of Color, its relation to sexual violence, and the anti-oppression/anti-violence movement (2) Recognizing the implications and present-day manifestations of historical trauma on Women of Color (3) Learning ways to be trauma-informed and engage with Women of Color survivors while incorporating cultural humility.

Afternoon Breakout Session Choice 2

4 C’s of Complex trauma: Cultivating Cooperative Cultural Care

Presented by Leela Karki, Samantha Salamon, Kellie Lockemer, Monicah Yonghang of Asian Services in Action (ASIA)

Culturally specific survivors may face additional complexities when trying to get help due to victimization. As a service provider there are additional considerations to be mindful of to make a culturally specific survivor feel more comfortable. The culture of the individual is vital to keep in mind when providing basic needs and referrals through advocacy or legal services. During this workshop you will be walked through a case study with the presenters of a survivor who received both advocacy and legal help throughout their victimization. As they walk through the case study, participants will explore best practices and practical ways to implement these practices at your organization. Learn how “minor” things can make a major difference for culturally specific survivors and explore ways to keep culture in mind throughout the process of working with the survivor.

Afternoon Breakout Session Choice 3

Somatic Trauma Responsive Strategies for Post Traumatic Growth: How our Nervous System Impacts Us

Presented by Amy Stenger-Sullivan, LPCC-S, Founder and Owner of Rooted Compassion Counseling and Consulting, Keri Perdrix, CT, Licensed School Counselor, and Kimber Andrews, CT

Trauma and its effects resulting from the pandemic, racism and increased socioeconomic divisions are being experienced at higher levels. Marginalized populations have felt the effects at very high levels. In this program we will explore the impacts on our nervous systems, which is where trauma is experienced first and often implicitly. Learners will gain practical knowledge and skills to deepen healing and recovery. Learning objectives include: (1) Participants will deepen their understanding of the somatic impacts of trauma, particularly what happens in the nervous system and brain as a result of trauma (2) Participants will learn the hand brain model, modified, to help understand and explain stressors and be able to explain it to others (3) Participants will learn basic responses to those who have experienced trauma and how to work with these to step into healing (4) Participants will create a plan of action from the knowledge gained.