Continuing Education Series
For Educators & Advocates of Healthy Workplaces
Stay up-to-date on the latest research and best practice recommendations.
The challenges faced by high-stress and trauma-exposed workplaces change quickly and unexpectedly. Our Continuing Education Series helps to meet these challenges by providing education and strategies to keep teams and organizations well.
Designed for past participants of our intensive programs and other advocates, each session takes a deep dive into topics such as secondary trauma, moral distress, trauma-informed practices, organizational health, and more.
What will I learn?
Strategies, tools, and best practice recommendations to build, maintain, and advocate for a healthy workplace.
Who should register?
Anyone who advocates for or educates others on the importance of sustainable, ethical, and trauma-informed practices within the workplace.
Priority registration is given to past participants of our Train the Trainer program. If spaces remain, general registration opens one week after.
How do I attend?
Sessions are hosted virtually Recordings will be available for 10-days following the live event.
Upcoming Sessions
All sessions are conducted virtually via Zoom. Once registered, participants will receive instructions for accessing the live event and recordings.
Trainers
Françoise Mathieu, MEd, RP is an educator, speaker, and trauma-trained therapist. She is the author of The Compassion Fatigue Workbook and the Executive Director of TEND. |
Marlene O'Neill Laberge, MSW, is a Child and Family Therapist and Organizational Health Specialist. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked in front-line, consultant and leadership roles across sectors, as well as within multi-disciplinary teams. |
Unstuck: Working with Intractable Problems
Strategies for Staying Well in Tough Situations
Thursday, January 16, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
“Intractable problems” refer to situations that are extremely challenging, feel impossible to resolve or not easily remedied. Working in high-stress, trauma-exposed work environments is uniquely challenging and system barriers that operate beyond the influence of front-line professionals can add an additional level of moral distress and internal conflict. In this session, we will explore tools and strategies for staying well within work environments that are constricted or impacted by intractable problems, including staffing shortages, client wait-times, resource limitations, and increasing client complexity.
In this session, we will discuss:
- How our mindset and perspective are relevant when working with intractable problems
- Tools and strategies that can enhance a sense of control and agency when faced with intractable problems
- How to empower supervisors and managers to effectively support their teams to stay well when working within these chronically challenging conditions
Registration is limited to 50 participants.
Cost: $250 CAD + applicable taxes
These sessions are limited to 50 individual participants. Each registration fee is for one person to participate in and/or view the session. If you would like to offer this session to a group in your organization, let us know and we would be happy to coordinate a group registration for you.
Trainers
Françoise Mathieu, MEd, RP is an educator, speaker, and trauma-trained therapist. She is the author of The Compassion Fatigue Workbook and the Executive Director of TEND. |
John Borthwick, BA, MDiv, is the Director of Lifelong Learning at Knox College, University of Toronto and an experienced teacher and facilitator, specializing in the areas of traumatology and moral distress. |
CISM Reimagined
Rethinking Critical Incident Stress Management
March 26, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
This session will explore the ongoing debate around Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and offer a balanced and respectful view of both its benefits and limitations. Participants will be introduced to an updated model that incorporates flexible and evidence-based practices for managing stress in high-trauma environments. This session is ideal for professionals seeking innovative strategies to support their teams’ mental health while navigating and responding to critical incidents.
In this session, we will discuss:
- Understanding the key arguments in the debate around CISM and its application in trauma-exposed professions.
- Learning how to integrate trauma-informed care and evidence-based stress management techniques into traditional debriefing models.
- Developing practical tools and strategies to foster ongoing team support and improve resilience post-incident.
Registration is limited to 50 participants.
Cost: $250 CAD + applicable taxes
These sessions are limited to 50 individual participants. Each registration fee is for one person to participate in and/or view the session. If you would like to offer this session to a group in your organization, let us know and we would be happy to coordinate a group registration for you.
Trainers
Françoise Mathieu, MEd, RP is an educator, speaker, and trauma-trained therapist. She is the author of The Compassion Fatigue Workbook and the Executive Director of TEND. |
Marlene O'Neill Laberge, MSW, is a Child and Family Therapist and Organizational Health Specialist. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked in front-line, consultant and leadership roles across sectors, as well as within multi-disciplinary teams. |
Wait, There’s More!
Why Selling Harder Won't Overcome Resistance to Change
May 28, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
In recent years, organizations with demanding and intense work environments have seen a marked increase in staff burnout, secondary traumatization, and empathic strain. Leaders and well-being champions understand that organizational health programs are essential, yet many of us struggle to gain traction when implementing initiatives: We may become frustrated with our colleagues, confused by the lack of engagement with evidence-based programs, and disheartened by the uphill battle to drive change. Join us to explore the four frictions that may be impacting your implementation success and discover tools and strategies for working with resistance to create organizational change that will endure.
In this session, we will discuss:
- The Four Key Frictions to Organizational Change.
- Strategies to Address and Reduce Resistance.
- How to integrate this into your personal plan.
Registration is limited to 50 participants.
Cost: $250 CAD + applicable taxes
These sessions are limited to 50 individual participants. Each registration fee is for one person to participate in and/or view the session. If you would like to offer this session to a group in your organization, let us know and we would be happy to coordinate a group registration for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should take this program?
Anyone who advocates for or educates others on the importance of sustainable, ethical, and trauma-informed practices within the workplace.
Priority registration is given to past participants of our Train the Trainer Program. If spaces remain, general registration opens one-week after.
Is there a prerequisite for enrolling in these sessions?
Yes. The instructor teaches each session with the assumption that participants are familiar with the concepts covered in our Train the Trainer Program such as secondary trauma, moral distress, organizational health, and how these concepts impact helping professions.
While we invite anyone who is passionate about the importance of sustainable, ethical, and trauma-informed practices within the workplace to attend these sessions, they are not intended as an introduction to these topics.
If these concepts are new to you, consider enrolling in our Train the Trainer Program.
If you are uncertain whether this series is right for you, contact Alison, Operations Manager. We can help you figure out if the education provided in this series is a good fit for you or your team,
Who is the Priority registration for?
These sessions are specifically designed to build on knowledge learned during our intensive programs (Train the Trainer, Debriefing & Mutual Support, Trauma-Informed Practice). Priority registration is given to past participants.
If spaces remain, general registration opens one-week after. The instructor teaches each session with the assumption that participants haves some familiarity with the concepts covered in the intensive programs such as secondary trauma, moral distress, organizational health, and how these concepts impact helping professions.
What technology do I need to participate?
You will need a reliable internet connection, a microphone, and webcam. All sessions are conducted virtually via Zoom and participants are invited to turn their camera and microphones on to participant in the sessions.
Participants may also be invited to use the online program Dropbox to access additional materials.
I’m unable to attend the live event. Will the session be recorded?
Yes. Recordings will be available for 10-days following the live event. Once registered, participants will receive emailed instructions for accessing the live event and recordings.
I registered but did not receive any confirmation. What should I do?
Upon registering, you will be redirected to a secure payment portal via PayPal. Note that your registration for this event is not confirmed if payment is incomplete. If you do not receive a receipt from PayPal, this means that your payment was not completed and you must register again.
Once payment has been received, our team will be in touch with instructions for accessing the live event and recordings. Please check your spam, junk, promotions, or other inboxes for this email.
If you do not receive this email, or require assistance with payment options, please contact Alison, our Operations Manager, at alison@tendacademy.ca or give us a call at (613) 270-5182
What is your cancellation policy?
These sessions are specifically designed to build on knowledge learned during our Train the Trainer program. Priority registration is given to past participants. If spaces remain, general registration opens one-week after.
The instructor teaches each session with the assumption that participants haves some familiarity with the concepts covered in the Train the Trainer Program such as secondary trauma, moral distress, organizational health, and how these concepts impact helping professions.
The session is full! What can I do?
Registration for each session is limited to 40 participants. If the session you would like to attend is full, please email Alison, our Operations Manager, to be placed on our waiting list.
Can I bring this training to my organization?
Yes. Contact us to learn more.
Will I receive accredited CEUS/CECS for this training?
These sessions are specifically designed to build upon knowledge learned during our Train the Trainer program.
If requested, we are able to provide participants with a certificate of registration following the session. However, please note that we do not provide accredited continuing education credits for any regulatory bodies.