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Vicarious trauma is a transformative change that can occur in helpers as they witness and identify with the painful experiences of others. Impact increases as we work to balance professional expectations and resource limitations with personal responsibilities. Losing hope, pulling away from others, and feeling physically and emotionally exhausted, are just a few examples of the impact we might experience. Often, we criticize our own capabilities rather than recognize this human response to trauma exposure. This session will build an understanding of vicarious trauma and provide strategies to support resilience so we can continue to do this important work.
Speakers:
Kari McCluskey is the coordinator of the Vicarious Trauma and Resilience Initiative at Aurora Family Therapy Centre in Winnipeg, MB. In this role, she advocates for integrated wellness practices in the workplace by providing training, consultation and support to those who witness the stories of Canadian newcomers. Since the program’s inception in April 2018, she has facilitated hundreds of workshops to participants across the country. Kari holds several certificates in trauma response including Harvard Medical School’s Global Mental Health: Trauma & Recovery and holds a MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Manitoba where she is also beginning her PhD journey.
Catherine Wafula works as a Vicarious Trauma & Resilience Facilitator for Aurora Family Therapy. She is a passionate human rights and mental health advocate for numerous organizations across Canada and East Africa. Being a Newcomer herself, she has always been interested in exploring ways to better help and support the mental health needs of the Newcomer Community in Canada. Her educational experience in Psychology, Peace & Conflict Studies, and Narrative Practices (Storytelling) further awakened her passion to explore better ways to provide cross-cultural mental health support to the community.