Reconciliation in the Workplace

Vicki and Shelly Qualtieri return to the topic of AI and counselling. Shelly describes how she and her team have embraced using AI on both the administrative side of their business, as well as part of clinical work. Shelly offers examples of creative ways to use it carefully to enhance engagement and meet clients where they are already exploring AI. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki returns to the topic of AI and counselling with Holly Jamieson. They explore the grey area between excitement and caution when considering using AI in clinical work. Holly offers grounded, thoughtful questions to find an approach that fits with her values and allows change as learning continues. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

To celebrate the podcast's 50th episode, Vicki revisits four of her favourite conversations from the show's first four years. Galya Chatterton (episode 6) shares a moving example of slowing down in session, helping a client uncover the belief that she is a burden and offering her a felt experience of being cared for instead. Tom Walker (episode 21) describes how his background as a street fighter and professional boxer shapes his practice of high-intensity self-care, using movement and his body's own signals to release stored trauma. Patricia Haberman (episode 35) reflects on carrying both a toolbox and a bundle, blending Western counselling training with Indigenous teachings, and shares the moment a training participant helped her find the words for that journey. And Angella Murdoch (episode 28) returns as her therapeutic clown alter ego, Mabel, sharing tender, client-led moments from her work in palliative care, including a wordless five-minute mirroring dance with a man who spoke no English. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

This month, Vicki sits down with Melanie Bazin and Heather Woodward to explore the new CTRI workshop, Reconciliation in the Workplace – Meaningful Actions for Teams. Melanie and Heather share about the ongoing process and historical impact of colonization as well as tangible steps for reconciliation. They share examples of memorable moments of important connection and change that they have already experienced with diverse participants in the first offerings of this exciting new training. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and MaryClaire Decker explore the significant link between menstrual cycles and emotional and mental health. MaryClaire describes using curiosity and mindfulness to support awareness and greater self-understanding, offering suggestions for intentionally planning counselling strategies to coincide with where a person is at in their cycle for greater growth and effectiveness. For more info on this topic, check out this free webinar and MaryClaire's training on empowering clients to reclaim their cycling bodies. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

In this episode, Vicki gets into the details about AI and counselling with Candice Alder. They explore ways AI can be a positive resource and unpack some common missteps counsellors may take without AI literacy. Candice outlines some practical steps every counsellor should take to ensure their AI use is ethical and effective. This is part one of two conversations with Candice, and you can find the guidelines Candice has written here. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and Wilma Schroeder discuss a new CTRI workshop, De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations for Health Care Workers. They review de-escalation as primarily verbal intervention aimed at calming escalation before it becomes physical, and note violence in health care has increased dramatically since the pandemic. Wilma outlines challenges specific to health care, including patients arriving with already elevated stress baselines (especially in emergency rooms), family distress, system and environmental “enablers”, and cognitive impairment factors such as dementia, ICU psychosis, or substance effects. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Once again, Vicki and Joddie sit down to explore a topic together. This time it’s the familiar concept of the wounded healer. They explore some variations of this idea, from Carl Jung’s archetype to psychological links to vicarious trauma, and consider whether this is a strength or a hurdle to counsellor development. They also discuss an Indigenous authors’ view of interconnection with healing of the land and the reciprocal role of healing in a helping role. Inviting listeners to muse about their own connections to this topic, Vicki and Joddie find common ground in embracing the strengths from acknowledging and honouring our own wounds. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

For something a little different, Vicki and Joddie put their heads together to explore a topic new to each of them: place attachment. They unpack the links with relationship attachment, building a sense of belonging, and identity formation. They each share strategies they found helpful that listeners can use for strengthening their overall wellness. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com

Vicki and Hayley explore the magical world of Community and Social Circus. Hayley describes the unique opportunities that “circusing” provides for growing confidence, connection, and strength – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Through stories of her own transformation alongside her peers, Hayley offers a creative peek into many parallels with counselling. These include increasing safety to increase risk-taking, exploring meaningful consent, and the power of mentorship. For more resources in the areas of trauma, mental health, counselling skills, and violence prevention visit ctrinstitute.com