Cultivating the Helping Workplace
Denise Perron M.S.W., R.S.W.

Helping professionals are often exposed to life events and trauma, which they may not have been prepared for, or have never themselves experienced. This exposure can change the way helpers think, feel and relate with life both within and outside of their professional role. 

Commonly referred to as Compassion Fatigue or Vicarious Trauma, this phenomenon affects all helping professionals and occurs at all levels of service from front line workers to managers and support staff. It affects every helping profession from Police Officers to Mental Health Workers, Teachers, Nurses, Military Personnel, Massage Therapists and Emergency Service Personnel.
Self Care involves transforming difficult helping situations into experiences that inspire and motivate growth. In doing this hope and health are cultivated, both for the helper and within the workplace.

WORKSHOP AGENDA
This workshop examines how helping others impacts service providers personally, professionally and organizationally. In an informative, playful and interactive session individuals are invited to explore their personal experiences, establish relevant interventions, and build relationships with other professionals around this issue.
 

Part One
The Literature and Facts on Working With Stress & Trauma in the Helping Workplace
Identifying the Impact of Helping: Personally, Professionally and Organizationally
Part Two 
Exploring Your Personal Style: An Experiential Exercise
Affirming Skills That Inspire Hope and Health in Your Professional Work 
Debriefing and Shared Experiences
 

THE FACILITATOR
Denise Perron has a Masters Degree in Social Work and has been working in the field since 1979. Her clinical background includes work in mental health, addictions, trauma and recovery, CISM, stress management, occupational or life transitions, couple work and work with children and families. Denise is also experienced in program development and evaluation. She has authored and published works from her research on addictions treatment, vicarious trauma and women's career choices.

Presently she is in private practice where she provides therapy, consultation and education to a wide range of individuals, couples and groups. She is a Certifed EMDR practitioner and provides EMDRIA Approved EMDR Consultation. 
Denise works from an experiential, creative and holistic perspective. Her ongoing professional development includes special interests in mindfulness based approaches, holistic  therapies and the relationship of emotions to the physical body. 

FURTHER INFORMATION
This workshop has been adapted to suit a variety of audiences and organizational needs. It can be delivered in a half-day to several day formats. For more information about this or other workshops or services please contact me.