One of the most difficult tasks for staff in human services work is to successfully respond and react to agitated clients. While many trainings teach de-escalation approaches, few are explicitly grounded in an understanding of how trauma and stress affect the brain. And even fewer acknowledge that responding to an escalation requires the professional to override their natural “fight-flight-freeze” instincts. This full-day workshop uses lecture, discussion, case studies, and scenarios to build skills and confidence in effectively and appropriately responding and calming upset clients. Guided by frameworks of Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Behavioral Change Theories, the training will educate, inform, and inspire service providers to improve practices and approaches.
