Trauma-Informed Practice

Online, Intensive | Winter 2026

Overview

What does it mean to be a trauma-informed workplace? Simply put, it means understanding how stress and adversity affect people, and then using that understanding to create workplaces where staff can do their best work.

The Trauma-Informed Practice Program is a professional development program that helps you put this understanding into action.

Hosted on Zoom, our online, intensive format offers focused learning over two and a half days. Participants are also invited to attend two follow-up Q&A sessions where they can ask questions and share about their progress implementing learnings from the course. You will gain the same depth of knowledge and practical tools as the 4-week program, but in a condensed, interactive format that fits into a busy schedule.

Join our wait list if you would like to be notified about the next available session.

Format

Online, Intensive

Dates

February 24, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

February 25, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

February 26, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

March 31, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM

April 28, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM

Instructor

Marlene O’Neill Laberge

Cost

$2,950 CAD + tax

Learning Objectives

By taking this course, you will:

Understand trauma and trauma-informed practice as it applies to your unique workplace

What if implementing trauma-informed practice wasn’t as complicated as you imagined? This program helps you identify the day-to-day practices, policies, and cultural norms that either support or hinder your staff’s ability to provide safe, compassionate, and effective care. You will:

  • Assess where your workplace currently stands in implementing trauma-informed practices.
  • Identify barriers (both external and internal to your workplace).
  • Work through case studies to apply your ideas to real world scenarios.

Move from abstract concepts to actionable steps

It is often easier to understand the “why” of trauma-informed practice than the “how.” In this program, you will learn the guiding principles of trauma-informed practice with a focus on how to implement these principles into your specific workplace. You will learn practices that can be applied on multiple levels:

  • Individual practices that support trauma awareness and compassion.
  • Leadership strategies that foster safety, trust, and clarity.
  • Organizational approaches that align culture, policy, and systems with trauma-informed values.

Overcome barriers and roadblocks to making change

Implementation is at the heart of this program. Our goal is for you to leave not only with new insight, but with a clear, grounded plan for change. Together, we will:
Examine common challenges and practical constraints.

  • Explore real-world examples of trauma-informed practice in action.
  • Workshop solutions that fit your workplace’s realities.
  • Identify next steps that feel achievable, sustainable, and aligned with your organizational goals.

By the end of the program, you will have a deeper understanding of trauma-informed practice and a roadmap for making meaningful, lasting change in your workplace.

Materials

Hard-copy books

You will receive two books: The Trauma-Informed Practice Workbook and The Human Element: Overcoming the Resistance that Awaits New Ideas. These books provide supplementary content, practical exercises, and ready-to-use tools that reinforce and expand on what you will learn during the program.

1-Year Subscription to the TEND Toolkit

You will receive full access to the TEND Toolkit, which includes videos, recorded CARE4YOU conference sessions, webinars, strategies, and articles.

On-Demand Courses

Your registration includes enrollment in three of our on-demand courses: Secondary Traumatic Stress 101, How Challenging Work Changes Us, and Staying Grounded in Stressful Work.

Assessment tools, inventories, manuals, webinars, and more

You will be given everything you need to understand and implement trauma-informed practices in you workplace.

Access to our Online Learning Portal

This resource will be your hub for accessing Zoom links, recordings, prerequisite training, and additional materials.

  • Hard-copy books

    You will receive two books: The Trauma-Informed Practice Workbook and The Human Element: Overcoming the Resistance that Awaits New Ideas. These books provide supplementary content, practical exercises, and ready-to-use tools that reinforce and expand on what you will learn during the program.

  • 1-Year Subscription to the TEND Toolkit

    You will receive full access to the TEND Toolkit, which includes videos, recorded CARE4YOU conference sessions, webinars, strategies, and articles.

  • On-Demand Courses

    Your registration includes enrollment in three of our on-demand courses: Secondary Traumatic Stress 101, How Challenging Work Changes Us, and Staying Grounded in Stressful Work.

  • Assessment tools, inventories, manuals, webinars, and more

    You will be given everything you need to understand and implement trauma-informed practices in you workplace.

  • Access to our Online Learning Portal

    This resource will be your hub for accessing Zoom links, recordings, prerequisite training, and additional materials.

Instructor

Marlene O’Neill Laberge Organizational Health Specialist

Marlene is an Organizational Health Specialist and lead of the TEND Working Well, Together Program where she works collaboratively with leaders to create the best possible work environments for their teams.

Marlene is a skilled trainer teaching on the topic of secondary traumatic stress, organizational health, trauma-informed practices, debriefing, and intractable problems. She taps into her years of experience by using stories and case examples to illustrate concepts in a tangible and engaging way.

Marlene has worked in a variety of settings, including health care, child welfare, child advocacy and community mental health. 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.

She holds a Master of Social Work and is a Certified Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator, a Certified Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, and trained in DBT Skills for Adolescents.

Agenda

Note that this course runs in Eastern Time (ET). Please adjust your schedule accordingly.

All sessions will be recorded and can be viewed on your own schedule. Participants will be responsible for reviewing any missed materials throughout the course.

Day 1 | February 24, 2026

AMThe Foundations of Trauma-Informed Practice
PMTrauma-Informed Practices on an Individual Level

Day 2 | February 25, 2026

AMTrauma-Informed Practices on an Organizational Level
PMCreating Your Action Plan

Day 3 | February 26, 2026

AMImplementation Support and Overcoming Frictions

Follow-Up Q&A Sessions

  • March 31, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
  • April 28, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM

Contact

Questions? Reach out to Alison Goodfellow, our Operations Manager, at alison@tendacademy.ca

FAQs

Payment & Tuition
What are my payment options?

Our website accepts payment made by credit card (via Stripe). If you require an invoice, please contact our Operations Manager, Alison (alison@tendacademy.ca), before registering.

What is your cancellation policy?

We reserve the right to cancel this course should the number of registrations be insufficient. We are not responsible for any costs that may be incurred by the cancellation of this course.

In the event that TEND cancels this program, all course fees including deposits will be returned to participants.

  • If you choose to cancel your registration on or before Monday, February 16, 2026, you will receive a refund of your course fee minus the registration deposit of $500.00 CAD. This deposit can be put towards a future program.
  • If you have already received the materials for this course prior to cancelling, you will be responsible for this cost ($250.00 CAD + tax)
  • No refunds will be issued on or after Tuesday, February 17, 2026. A colleague may attend in your place.
What is included in my registration fee?

The program registration fee includes all prerequisites, live virtual training and Q&A sessions, online resources, hard copy resources, and a one-year subscription to the TEND Toolkit.

I need time before paying for the full tuition. Can I still reserve a spot?

Yes. Each participant must submit a non-refundable deposit of $500.00 CAD to reserve their spot in the program. If paying the deposit only, the balance of the registration fee is due before the program begins.

If you cancel your registration after submitting your non-refundable deposit, this amount ($500 CAD) may be put towards a future training with TEND.

Can I register a group?

Yes. Please contact our Operations Manager, Alison (alison@tendacademy.ca), to learn more.

Enrollment & Time Commitments
Are there prerequisites for this program?

Yes. The instructor teaches this program with the assumption that participants are familiar with the concepts of trauma and have some level of trauma awareness.

If this concept is new to you, not to worry. You will receive access to prerequisite learning to help you prepare.

All prerequisite training is included in your registration fee. You will receive access upon receipt of the deposit or full program fee a minimum of one month before the program begins.

How much time should I protect to fully participate in this program?

We recommend setting aside 2 hours to complete the prerequisites before the program begins.

The program itself is 20.5 hours (total). The first two days of the online intensive format are 7.5 hours (9 AM – 4:30 PM ET) each. The third day is 3 hours (9 AM – 12 PM ET). The two follow-up Q&A sessions are 1 hour 15 minutes each.

We also recommend that you protect sometime after each day of training to consider the content and complete any reflection assignments.

I can't attend one of the sessions. Can I still enroll?

We ask that participants attend all sessions live. Each session will be recorded and shared with participants for review or for use in cases of unforeseen conflicts. If the scheduled times do not work for you, please join our waitlist to be notified about upcoming course offerings.

Program Content
Is the content in this program evidence-based?

This program was designed by Cambria Rose Walsh, LCSW, and is continuously reviewed to ensure the most up to date information is shared with participants. The content of the program is evidence-based where the research exists, and, when there is a gap in the research, it is evidence-informed (expert consensus guidelines are used).

I don’t have a background in therapy or mental health. Should I still participate?

Yes. You do not need to be a therapist or have a background in mental health to benefit.

This program is designed for people working in complex, high-pressure workplaces which provide services to the public. The content of this program will be most valuable to those who play in role in shaping the policies, programs, and culture of their workplace.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. After completing the program, you will receive a certificate of attendance indicating the date and length of training.

Technology & Materials
What technology do I need to participate?

You will require a reliable internet connection, a microphone, and webcam. Participants will also need to be able to access Zoom and Dropbox.

How do I get my hard-copy materials?

Hard copy materials will be shipped to the address you indicate on your registration form, in advance of the first day of training. Please note that the non-refundable deposit or full payment must be received before materials will be shipped.

Downloadable PDFs

PDFs Coming soon.

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