Licensed Psychotherapist
The Tema Foundation
Presentation: PPE for the Mind
Day 1 - 11:15AM - 12:15PM
Presentation: Developing a Peer Support Program
Day 2 - 2:00PM - 3:00PM
Colleen is a licensed psychotherapist with over 40 years of clinical experience across a variety of settings including inpatient and outpatient mental health, crisis intervention, residential services, specialized trauma programs, education, and private practice.
Colleen is also a full time professor and coordinator at Centennial College in Toronto in the Child & Youth Care Practitioner Program, and teaches part time at both Ryerson University and Simon Fraser University. Additionally, Colleen also provides clinical consultation, training, and supervision to professionals and agencies in the helping field.
The loyalty and commitment of those working the frontlines is fierce. Which is why it is so important to find a healthy balance with work and life, especially with the many experiences/exposures one endures while at work. A healthy mind is what helps us function. We can learn better, play better, and we can understand the challenges we are faced with better. This workshop will focus on the cumulative stress of working the frontline, recognizing the impact of this work, and learning how to build resilience and improve ones overall mental health and wellbeing.
First responder and allied health organizations have a moral duty to support and care for their employee’s. One such way is to provide a workplace environment that is non-judgmental, supportive and safe with the assistance of trained and experienced peer support teams. The goal of peer support teams is to help initiate and maintain difficult conversations after difficult experiences, deal with acute stress management, help reduce stigma and other barriers, help build trust in the workplace, and provide emotional and social support. This workshop will highlight important components of developing peer support programs.
