many training topics
We train on various topics relevant to Seeking Safety, trauma-informed care, substance abuse, problem gambling, and gender-based recovery. Our most popular topics are listed here, with agendas and objectives. Any of the content below can be delivered in any format. We also customize training to fit your agency, such as focusing on special populations (criminal justice, veterans, men or women, adolescents, HIV, homeless, etc.). We also offer certification if desired. We can create a new training to fit your goals. So mix-and-match, and play with possibilities.
Who can attend? Our trainings are designed for a very broad audience including staff from addiction, mental health, medical, and other programs, including those who directly treat clients, but also other staff (e.g., administrators, mental health aides, counselors, nurses, advocates), as well as trainees, peers, and people in recovery. No prior training nor professional degree is required. However, you may decide to limit your audience based on the needs of your program.
Who can attend? Our trainings are designed for a very broad audience including staff from addiction, mental health, medical, and other programs, including those who directly treat clients, but also other staff (e.g., administrators, mental health aides, counselors, nurses, advocates), as well as trainees, peers, and people in recovery. No prior training nor professional degree is required. However, you may decide to limit your audience based on the needs of your program.
types of consultation
3 types of certification
We offer three levels of certification: conducting Seeking Safety, fidelity rater, and supervisor. Note: these are required if you plan to conduct research on Seeking Safety and publish the results but optional otherwise.
Creating Change (2024) Lisa's newest model
This presentation offers a description and implementation of Creating Change, a past-focused counseling model for trauma and addiction. The new model offers additional work beyond Seeking Safety, and can be conducted one after the other (Seeking Safety, then Creating Change) or at the same time. Where Seeking Safety teaches coping skills in the present, the new model focuses on processing past memories and emotions in both trauma and addiction. Similarities and differences with existing evidence-based trauma and substance abuse treatments are described. See the outline. Please email us for the handouts for this training.
finding your Best self (2019) for any provider, peers, family
This book can be used directly by clients as self-help or delivered by professionals of any type as well as peers, sponsors, and family members. Training on the model can be any length (e.g., 1 hour, half day, 1 day) and can also be combined with the regular Seeking Safety training described below. See the 2024 outline and objectives for this training. Handouts for a 1-day training are here or for a shorter training (half day or less) are here.
seeking safety training topics
Seeking Safety
Overview of the model, how to implement it, demonstration of a session, role-play practice of a session by attendees, with video clips and experiential exercises. This training also includes attention to trauma-informed care. The most popular length is 1 day, but it can be done in a shorter length or longer lengths such as 1.5 or 2 days to deepen the work. By the end of the training, anyone can conduct Seeking Safety if they choose to. See the Seeking Safety 2024 1-day outline, or 1.5 or 2 day outline, the short program outline, or the workshop outline. Handouts for this training are here. We also provide this training in Spanish and French (fluent speakers).
Seeking Safety for Adolescents
This is identical to the Seeking Safety training above but also includes elements specific to the developmental needs of adolescents. We cover ways to make Seeking Safety engaging for this age group (e.g., games and exercises); how to handle communication with parents, caregivers, and teachers; and language and examples relevant to adolescents. We also address family issues such as trauma and/or addiction in the family; and settings specific to adolescents such as juvenile justice. See the 1 day outline and objectives. or the short program outline and objectives. Handouts for this training are here (they are the same as for a regular Seeking Safety training). The Seeking Safety Adolescent Toolkit training may be added for an additional half or full day to focus more in depth on adolescent implementation and the optional use of the Seeking Safety Adolescent Toolkit.
Seeking Safety Adolescent Toolkit
Note: This training is for providers who work with adolescents and who have already attended a Seeking Safety training and/or have experience conducting the model.
This training focuses on engaging adolescents to participate in Seeking Safety using the new Seeking Safety Adolescent Toolkit (2023). The training offers a brief refresher on the model and opportunities to share successes and challenges; as well as therapeutic Seeking Safety games and activities; developmentally relevant examples; discussion of challenging adolescent and caregiver scenarios; and how to make best use of the Seeking Safety Adolescent Toolkit in combination with the Seeking Safety book. If participants are not yet trained in or experienced with the Seeking Safety model, this Toolkit training may be combined with any other Seeking Safety training (either as a half or full day add-on). See the 2024 1 day outline and objectives. Handouts for this training are here and please note: it is required to have a Seeking Safety book (either e-book or paperback) in hand during the training as the trainer will refer to it during the training. It is not necessary to obtain the Adolescent Toolkit for the training but if desired is available here.
Seeking Safety with a Criminal Justice focus
This is identical to the Seeking Safety training above but includes a special emphasis on criminal justice settings of all kinds, such as drug courts, probation, jails, prisons; and different security levels such as minimum and maximum. See the 1 day outline and objectives. Handouts for this training are here (they are the same as for a regular Seeking Safety training except for this additional handout which does not need to be printed out, but you may forward to attendees to read if they're interested).
Peer-Led Seeking Safety
This is identical to the training above but also includes elements specific to peer-led Seeking Safety. We define terms that may be unfamiliar to peers; and cover how to handle emergencies, self-disclosure, scope of 'practice,' and options for co-leading groups, for example. We review the evidence on peer-led Seeking Safety and describe ways that peers can evaluate fidelity. Note: if you have a mixed audience of some professionals and some peers, you can do a regular training and have peers attend; or you can do a regular training and then have an extra half day for the peers. We have found that either method works. If your audience is solely peers, you may want to do 1.5 days to allow more practice time but the training can also be done as a 1-day training. See the outline and objectives for this training. Handouts for this training are here (they are the same as for a regular Seeking Safety training).
Advanced Seeking Safety: Deepening the work
Note: This training is for participants who have already attended a Seeking Safety training and/or have experience conducting the model.
This training goes beyond the basic Seeking Safety training. It focuses on implementation methods to improve engagement and high-quality delivery of the model. It offers a brief refresher on the model; adaptation of Seeking Safety for different populations; deepening the approach to trauma; therapeutic Seeking Safety games; responding to challenging clients; fidelity; and how to sustain the model. In addition, there is ample opportunity for attendees to share their successes, obstacles and case examples. If desired, an attendee can conduct a mini-roleplay of a session and obtain constructive feedback based on the Seeking Safety fidelity scale (if you would like to volunteer for this excellent learning opportunity email [email protected]). The webinar is highly interactive with a variety of clinical exercises. Attendees can also email in advance specific questions and clinical scenarios they would like to discuss. Handouts for this training are the session format worksheet, Safety Seeking Adherence Scale (brief version), Seeking Safety Fidelity Scale, Long Version, plus each attendee needs to have the Seeking Safety book. See the 2024 outline.
Theme Based Consultation via Zoom or phone (on adults and/or adolescents)
This series of Zoom or phone consultations provides ample time for question/answer consultation and discussion related to conducting Seeking Safety, while also focusing on one theme per call to help guide discussion. Examples of themes are “Getting started with Seeking Safety,” “Role-play a session,” “Working with Unsafe Behavior,” “Focusing on Trauma,” ”Engaging Activities," etc. See our list of 15 consultation topics and 5 adolescent-specific consultations (see also our section on Adolescents). You can do as many as you choose, with any number of staff, on any schedule such as monthly or bi-monthly. Ideal for staff who attended a Seeking Safety training and/or are implementing the model. Theme-based calls offer the best of both worlds: time to discuss any issues desired, yet anchored to a useful focus-- which is parallel process with Seeking Safety itself. Theme-based calls are 1 hour each and can be done via Zoom or phone.
A Focus on Quality: Seeking Safety Fidelity Rater Training (with option for certification)
Some agencies want to assure that their clinicians are conducting Seeking Safety model with fidelity, consistent with the model. This is required for any formal research study on Seeking Safety that will be published, such as a randomized controlled trial. It can also be helpful for clinical use, to improve the quality of the work. We provide several options, including having our expert train one or more people in your agency to conduct fidelity rating. See our information page on certification. See also the outline and objectives for a live training (onsite or webinar) or see the outline and objectives for the virtual/phone version of the training. Please email us for the handouts for this training.
Promoting Sustainability of Seeking Safety: Champions and Supervisors (with option for certification)
This presentation provides detailed training to help staff become skilled at Seeking Safety supervision, for both individual and group supervision. We teach a supervision method that mirrors Seeking Safety in tone and process. We focus on sustainability and keeping staff energized and inspired in the work. Exercises include: providing feedback to supervisees, how to bring new staff on board in Seeking Safety, the structure of supervisory sessions (parallel process to Seeking Safety), ongoing monitoring using fidelity procedures, trouble-shooting, and optimal characteristics of the Seeking Safety supervisor. Prerequisite: participants need to have already completed the fidelity rater training listed above. See our information page on certification. See also the outline and objectives for a live training (onsite or webinar) or see the outline and objectives for the webinar/telephone version of the training.Please email us for the handouts for this training.
Trauma-Informed Care (or The Link Between Trauma and Addiction)
This presentation explores general principles of treating traumatized clients in a variety of contexts (e.g., substance abuse, mental health, medical, etc). Basic information on trauma, posttraumatlc stress disorder, trauma counseling. The workshop is highly practical and offers opportunity to role-play client scenarios. Real-world challenges are emphasized, including power struggles, threatened harm self or others, reenactment of classic trauma roles, etc. Assessment and resources will also be provided. Read the 2024 trauma-informed care outline and objectives and handouts for this training are here but for a training that is 1 day or longer you will also need an additional one that needs to be requested by email (please request the "toolkit" handout).
Three levels of certification
We offer three levels of certification: conducting Seeking Safety, fidelity rater, and supervisor. Note that these are required if you plan to conduct research on Seeking Safety and publish the results.
Overview of the model, how to implement it, demonstration of a session, role-play practice of a session by attendees, with video clips and experiential exercises. This training also includes attention to trauma-informed care. The most popular length is 1 day, but it can be done in a shorter length or longer lengths such as 1.5 or 2 days to deepen the work. By the end of the training, anyone can conduct Seeking Safety if they choose to. See the Seeking Safety 2024 1-day outline, or 1.5 or 2 day outline, the short program outline, or the workshop outline. Handouts for this training are here. We also provide this training in Spanish and French (fluent speakers).
Seeking Safety for Adolescents
This is identical to the Seeking Safety training above but also includes elements specific to the developmental needs of adolescents. We cover ways to make Seeking Safety engaging for this age group (e.g., games and exercises); how to handle communication with parents, caregivers, and teachers; and language and examples relevant to adolescents. We also address family issues such as trauma and/or addiction in the family; and settings specific to adolescents such as juvenile justice. See the 1 day outline and objectives. or the short program outline and objectives. Handouts for this training are here (they are the same as for a regular Seeking Safety training). The Seeking Safety Adolescent Toolkit training may be added for an additional half or full day to focus more in depth on adolescent implementation and the optional use of the Seeking Safety Adolescent Toolkit.
Seeking Safety Adolescent Toolkit
Note: This training is for providers who work with adolescents and who have already attended a Seeking Safety training and/or have experience conducting the model.
This training focuses on engaging adolescents to participate in Seeking Safety using the new Seeking Safety Adolescent Toolkit (2023). The training offers a brief refresher on the model and opportunities to share successes and challenges; as well as therapeutic Seeking Safety games and activities; developmentally relevant examples; discussion of challenging adolescent and caregiver scenarios; and how to make best use of the Seeking Safety Adolescent Toolkit in combination with the Seeking Safety book. If participants are not yet trained in or experienced with the Seeking Safety model, this Toolkit training may be combined with any other Seeking Safety training (either as a half or full day add-on). See the 2024 1 day outline and objectives. Handouts for this training are here and please note: it is required to have a Seeking Safety book (either e-book or paperback) in hand during the training as the trainer will refer to it during the training. It is not necessary to obtain the Adolescent Toolkit for the training but if desired is available here.
Seeking Safety with a Criminal Justice focus
This is identical to the Seeking Safety training above but includes a special emphasis on criminal justice settings of all kinds, such as drug courts, probation, jails, prisons; and different security levels such as minimum and maximum. See the 1 day outline and objectives. Handouts for this training are here (they are the same as for a regular Seeking Safety training except for this additional handout which does not need to be printed out, but you may forward to attendees to read if they're interested).
Peer-Led Seeking Safety
This is identical to the training above but also includes elements specific to peer-led Seeking Safety. We define terms that may be unfamiliar to peers; and cover how to handle emergencies, self-disclosure, scope of 'practice,' and options for co-leading groups, for example. We review the evidence on peer-led Seeking Safety and describe ways that peers can evaluate fidelity. Note: if you have a mixed audience of some professionals and some peers, you can do a regular training and have peers attend; or you can do a regular training and then have an extra half day for the peers. We have found that either method works. If your audience is solely peers, you may want to do 1.5 days to allow more practice time but the training can also be done as a 1-day training. See the outline and objectives for this training. Handouts for this training are here (they are the same as for a regular Seeking Safety training).
Advanced Seeking Safety: Deepening the work
Note: This training is for participants who have already attended a Seeking Safety training and/or have experience conducting the model.
This training goes beyond the basic Seeking Safety training. It focuses on implementation methods to improve engagement and high-quality delivery of the model. It offers a brief refresher on the model; adaptation of Seeking Safety for different populations; deepening the approach to trauma; therapeutic Seeking Safety games; responding to challenging clients; fidelity; and how to sustain the model. In addition, there is ample opportunity for attendees to share their successes, obstacles and case examples. If desired, an attendee can conduct a mini-roleplay of a session and obtain constructive feedback based on the Seeking Safety fidelity scale (if you would like to volunteer for this excellent learning opportunity email [email protected]). The webinar is highly interactive with a variety of clinical exercises. Attendees can also email in advance specific questions and clinical scenarios they would like to discuss. Handouts for this training are the session format worksheet, Safety Seeking Adherence Scale (brief version), Seeking Safety Fidelity Scale, Long Version, plus each attendee needs to have the Seeking Safety book. See the 2024 outline.
Theme Based Consultation via Zoom or phone (on adults and/or adolescents)
This series of Zoom or phone consultations provides ample time for question/answer consultation and discussion related to conducting Seeking Safety, while also focusing on one theme per call to help guide discussion. Examples of themes are “Getting started with Seeking Safety,” “Role-play a session,” “Working with Unsafe Behavior,” “Focusing on Trauma,” ”Engaging Activities," etc. See our list of 15 consultation topics and 5 adolescent-specific consultations (see also our section on Adolescents). You can do as many as you choose, with any number of staff, on any schedule such as monthly or bi-monthly. Ideal for staff who attended a Seeking Safety training and/or are implementing the model. Theme-based calls offer the best of both worlds: time to discuss any issues desired, yet anchored to a useful focus-- which is parallel process with Seeking Safety itself. Theme-based calls are 1 hour each and can be done via Zoom or phone.
A Focus on Quality: Seeking Safety Fidelity Rater Training (with option for certification)
Some agencies want to assure that their clinicians are conducting Seeking Safety model with fidelity, consistent with the model. This is required for any formal research study on Seeking Safety that will be published, such as a randomized controlled trial. It can also be helpful for clinical use, to improve the quality of the work. We provide several options, including having our expert train one or more people in your agency to conduct fidelity rating. See our information page on certification. See also the outline and objectives for a live training (onsite or webinar) or see the outline and objectives for the virtual/phone version of the training. Please email us for the handouts for this training.
Promoting Sustainability of Seeking Safety: Champions and Supervisors (with option for certification)
This presentation provides detailed training to help staff become skilled at Seeking Safety supervision, for both individual and group supervision. We teach a supervision method that mirrors Seeking Safety in tone and process. We focus on sustainability and keeping staff energized and inspired in the work. Exercises include: providing feedback to supervisees, how to bring new staff on board in Seeking Safety, the structure of supervisory sessions (parallel process to Seeking Safety), ongoing monitoring using fidelity procedures, trouble-shooting, and optimal characteristics of the Seeking Safety supervisor. Prerequisite: participants need to have already completed the fidelity rater training listed above. See our information page on certification. See also the outline and objectives for a live training (onsite or webinar) or see the outline and objectives for the webinar/telephone version of the training.Please email us for the handouts for this training.
Trauma-Informed Care (or The Link Between Trauma and Addiction)
This presentation explores general principles of treating traumatized clients in a variety of contexts (e.g., substance abuse, mental health, medical, etc). Basic information on trauma, posttraumatlc stress disorder, trauma counseling. The workshop is highly practical and offers opportunity to role-play client scenarios. Real-world challenges are emphasized, including power struggles, threatened harm self or others, reenactment of classic trauma roles, etc. Assessment and resources will also be provided. Read the 2024 trauma-informed care outline and objectives and handouts for this training are here but for a training that is 1 day or longer you will also need an additional one that needs to be requested by email (please request the "toolkit" handout).
Three levels of certification
We offer three levels of certification: conducting Seeking Safety, fidelity rater, and supervisor. Note that these are required if you plan to conduct research on Seeking Safety and publish the results.
additional training topics
The Link Between Trauma and Addiction
This workshop focuses on how trauma and addiction co-occur, with emphasis on clinically-relevant principles and treatment techniques. We address rates, clinical presentation, and reasons for using substances in the context of trauma. We also focus on how increased understanding of trauma/addiction has improved care for these vulnerable clients—including the development of integrated treatments, stage-based treatment, trauma-informed care, and assessment screening tools. See the outline.
Women and Addiction: Listening to Themes
This workshop focuses on women’s addiction. The goal is to deepen understanding of how gender impacts both the addiction process and recovery. Topics include: rates; pathways to addiction; treatment issues; and subgroups who are especially vulnerable to addiction. A major focus will be trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder, which are central for many women in recovery. The workshop will focus on supportive and specific tools to aid recovery, including experiential exercises, video clips, self-tests, and workbook materials. Read the
outline.
Trauma and Problem Gambling
This presentation addresses the link between trauma and problem gambling (as well as the formal diagnoses related to these, posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD, and pathological gambling). We address background, rates, clinical presentation, and treatment challenges, as well as Seeking Safety, an evidence-based counseling model for trauma and/or addiction. The model has been implemented with problem gamblers and a pilot study (Najavits et al., 2013) evidences positive outcomes in a sample of men and women with current PTSD and current pathological gambling. See the outline. Please email us for the handouts for this training.
This workshop focuses on how trauma and addiction co-occur, with emphasis on clinically-relevant principles and treatment techniques. We address rates, clinical presentation, and reasons for using substances in the context of trauma. We also focus on how increased understanding of trauma/addiction has improved care for these vulnerable clients—including the development of integrated treatments, stage-based treatment, trauma-informed care, and assessment screening tools. See the outline.
Women and Addiction: Listening to Themes
This workshop focuses on women’s addiction. The goal is to deepen understanding of how gender impacts both the addiction process and recovery. Topics include: rates; pathways to addiction; treatment issues; and subgroups who are especially vulnerable to addiction. A major focus will be trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder, which are central for many women in recovery. The workshop will focus on supportive and specific tools to aid recovery, including experiential exercises, video clips, self-tests, and workbook materials. Read the
outline.
Trauma and Problem Gambling
This presentation addresses the link between trauma and problem gambling (as well as the formal diagnoses related to these, posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD, and pathological gambling). We address background, rates, clinical presentation, and treatment challenges, as well as Seeking Safety, an evidence-based counseling model for trauma and/or addiction. The model has been implemented with problem gamblers and a pilot study (Najavits et al., 2013) evidences positive outcomes in a sample of men and women with current PTSD and current pathological gambling. See the outline. Please email us for the handouts for this training.