Foster Care Training

Shame is a frequently experienced and expressed emotion in psychotherapy. Research has indicated that the experience of shame is associated with a number of maladaptive coping respones (i.e. – suicidual ideration, substance abuse, etc.). Shame is often commonly and foundationally a keystone impact in the exposure to developmentally overwhelming experiences. And yet, the term “shame” is often misunderstood and may be approached adversarily in the provisioning of mental health and personal growth. Shame has a neurobiological root, woven into the attachment system and the stress response system. Explore how In this training, participants will explore the complex nature of shame, identify its expression in youth navigating the foster system, distinguish between “healthy” and dysfunctional versions of shame, reduce inadvertently evoking shame in clients as a clinician, how to use attachment dynamics to melt shame freeze thereby leveraging its therapeutic value (i.e. – the energy trapped within shame) in efforts to support shame repair, resiliency and growth. This workshop, will involve a mix of theory and practice with an emphasis on somatic methods for increasing regulatory capacities and executive functioning in children. Participants will explore the impact of overwhelming experience (i.e. – trauma) on development and learning, and are invited to involve themselves in reflective case discussion, structured observations, exercises, and/or multi-media presentation.

How can participants utilize their new skills and knowledge after the training to reinforce their learning?

1. Caregivers (i.e. – biological, foster, adopt, professionals) will be able to demonstrate knowledge of how to identify the presence of shame in youth and specific strategies for supporting youth.
2. Caregivers (i.e. – biological, foster, adopt, professionals) will be equipped with developmentally appropriate resources (i.e. – handouts) such as may be a ongoing reference for supporting youth that they may access after the training.