This 5-day intensive training course prepares experienced human service professionals to understand effects of trauma and critical incidents on staff and clients in high stress human service environments. Theory and skills to safely conduct psychological first aid, immediate clinical support, defusing and debriefing sessions following critical and traumatic incidents are covered, together with limits of these techniques. It introduces principles of clinical treatment of trauma.

Course notes and a certificate of attendance are provided. The course consists of:

• Theory of critical incident stress, traumatic stress and crisis;

• Information about stress responses and symptoms of stress and trauma;

• Discussions of work-related hazards and stresses;

• Theory and practice in psychological first aid;

• Principles of management and support for affected staff;

• Demonstrations of Defusing and Debriefing technique;

• Techniques of early trauma intervention;

• Opportunities to develop skills through role-play and observation;

• Discussion of participants’ experiences and workplace issues.

Course Dates: 15 – 19 April 2024

Venue: Police Association Training room, 70 Jolimont Street, East Melbourne 3002

Time: 9-5

Cost: $1,375 (incl GST; Payable at the commencement of the course)

Trainer: Dr Rob Gordon

Registration: Please return the registration form in the brochure here as soon as possible or by 3 weeks before the starting date of the course (Places are limited).

Training manual, morning and afternoon tea and lunch are provided.

About Dr Rob Gordon

Dr Rob Gordon is a clinical psychologist who was Clinical Director of the Victorian Department of Human Services CISM Service for 18 years. He is consultant to the Victorian Depts of Education and Training and Families, Fairness and Housing for Emergency Recovery and Australian Red Cross Emergency Services and consults to a range of health, welfare, judicial and emergency services. He is an experienced trainer and has been an associate of Monash, Melbourne, Swinburne and New England Universities. He is

President of the Australian Confederation of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapies, and Director of Training for the Australian Association of Group Psychotherapists; he conducts a private practice in group and individual psychotherapy and organisational consulting.

WORKSHOP PROGRAM

DAY 1

• The work role and work attachment in critical incident stress;

• Normal assimilation of experience and its disturbance by stress critical incident stress and traumatic stress

• Theory and technique of Immediate response to stress - defusing.

• Demonstration 1: Defusing by RG to scenario provided by participants

DAY 2

• The social context of critical incidents; the Life Continuum. The role of social support and management in recovery from traumatic incidents.

• The structure and technique of Debriefing sessions

• Demonstration 2: Debriefing by RG to scenario provided by participants

DAY 3

• Contrasting degrees of critical and traumatic stress. Processes, symptoms and treatments Assumptions and limitations for conducting debriefing sessions. Other treatments and strategies

• Role Play 1: Defusing by Participants to scenario provided by RG

• Role Play 2: Debriefing by Participants to scenario provided by RG

DAY 4

• Theory and technique of individual trauma intervention
  Identifying clinical needs in working with trauma. Strategies for referral and management

• Development and maintenance of trauma response teams.

• Role Play 3: Debriefing by Participants to scenario provided by RG

DAY 5

• Priorities and methods of providing immediate intervention after severe trauma; preparing treatment Clinical treatment of early trauma reactions (Acute Stress Disorder).

• Self care and support for working with trauma

• Role Play 4: Debriefing by Participants to scenario provided by RG

For enquiries get in touch with Roberta at cima_office@cima.org.au