60-minute, 90-minute, half-day, and full-day adaptations available.

Specialized versions of any training are available for many industries. Want a session that includes combination of topics for your event? Ask us! We love creating custom content just for you.

Training topics

The Cost of Caring? Strategies for Transforming Empathic Strain and Other Side Effects of Helping Work

In our roles as helping professionals, we often see other people’s suffering up close and personal. How do we stay present, compassionate, and useful in the long term? In this workshop we’ll discuss:

• Compassion Fatigue/ Empathic Strain - the gradual erosion of our capacity to care

• Vicarious Trauma/ Secondary Traumatic Stress - a shift in our worldview and sense of safety

• Moral Distress - when we can’t do what’s right

• Proven strategies to maintain (or regain) empathy and ethical practice, and more.

Participants say: “What stood out most for me was that successful change is often incremental change. Thank you for the positive, optimistic session.” Toronto District School Board Alternative Schools Staff

Bearing Witness and Being Well: Mitigating Secondary Traumatic Stress in Ourselves and Each Other

The details we hear or read about others’ traumatizing experiences, and our own limitations because of unjust systems, inevitably have an effect on us and can cause us to feel angry, drained, or helpless (or all of the above). In this workshop we’ll talk about:

• How exposure to trauma, directly or indirectly, can affect us

• How self-awareness and mutual support practices can help us cope

• Why boundaries are essential for staying engaged and healthy, and much more.

Participants say: “Sarah's workshops are indispensable and have become a standard part of our on-boarding process. Not only do the workshops provide our team members practical tips for staying safe through our line of work - they also contribute to building a safer, caring work culture for the entire company.” Takuto Shiota, Shiota Health Communications

First, Do No Harm: Trauma-Informed Practice Skills for Support and Safety

We don’t have to be trauma specialists to support people who’ve experienced trauma. In this workshop you’ll learn:

• How traumatic experiences can affect people’s wellbeing and behaviour 

• Simple practices that can help us support others who may have gone through life-altering events

• Tips for managing the impact on ourselves of the traumatic stories and events we are exposed to in our work.

Who is a helping professional? Who are these trainings for?

It’s anyone who works in a role (paid or as a volunteer) that brings them into contact with others’ struggles and suffering, and who seeks to help.

Open Minds has trained:

• healthcare workers

• educators and education workers

• HR professionals

• social services and non-profit workers

• first responders

• legal services staff

• community organizers

• family caregivers

• public servants

• library workers

• union representatives

• social media monitors, and many more.

Pricing

Contact us for a free consultation about your group’s needs and a detailed quote. Pricing depends on factors such as delivery format (online vs. virtual), venue, session length, and group size.

Discounts are available upon request for large groups as well as not-for-profit and community agencies.