You’re not alone! – Trauma-informed education and the prevention of relationship violence
Élmény Tár has announced a 4-day training course for social workers. The aim of the course is for participants to develop a trauma-informed approach, which will help them create a safe and supportive environment for people affected by trauma. The training combines the transfer of theoretical knowledge with the development of practical skills, placing particular emphasis on self-awareness, respect for personal boundaries, and the acquisition of specific support tools. Written by Ramszesz.
We always work with great enthusiasm alongside professionals who consider continuous development in their work to be important. During our training, we provide a forum for professionals from various fields to share their experiences. Everyone can take part in the practical sessions with a focus on the area in which they can best apply the knowledge gained here, whether they are psychologists or social workers.
The training always begins with us working together to establish the framework for our collaboration; everyone is welcome to suggest rules that will make working together a comfortable experience for them.
We begin each day with an opening circle and end it with a closing circle. It is important to be mindful of our presence and to create an opportunity to share our feelings and thoughts. These two moments create a safe, supportive framework in which everyone’s voice counts.
The first day focuses on getting to know one another, settling in and building trust.
Through playful yet thought-provoking exercises that encourage deeper self-reflection, we connect with one another and with ourselves. The role of empathy is explored through a short film and a group discussion. During the afternoon, the focus will be on social gender roles and intimate partner violence: we will examine the various forms of violence through video material and structured discussions.
The main theme of the second day is trauma and its effects, with particular reference to children.
Taking the concept of PTSD as our starting point, we explore children’s needs in a visual, interactive format. Marcsi’s drawing sensitively illustrates the scars that abuse leaves on a child’s soul. In the afternoon, the focus shifts to self-awareness exercises and coping strategies: relaxation, grounding and breathing exercises help participants to find a deeper state of focus.
This day is based on supportive conversation and the techniques involved.
We try out the communication tools in an ‘aquarium’ exercise, where we reflect on real-life, challenging situations. In the afternoon, in the Empathy Lab, we delve deeper into our roles in groups of three: we can try our hand at being a helper, a client and an observer.
At the end of the day, during a group brainstorming session, we also discuss our own cases and dilemmas.
The focus of the final day is on self-awareness and boundaries.
We use a card game to explore the personalities of victims and perpetrators in greater depth, and then work through a simulation based on Kati’s story that fosters deep empathy. The focus is on the practical application of trauma-informed care – particularly in child care.
In the final session, we’ll learn about stopping techniques, setting boundaries and self-defence, and then, looking back on the four days, we’ll bring the experience to a close together.