About this webinar
Date: October 15, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET
Facilitator: Karine Silverwoman, MSW, RSW.
CE hours: 6
This training is suitable for:
- Mental Health Professionals: psychotherapists, counsellors, psychologists, social workers.
- Medical Professionals: nurses, psychiatrists, pediatricians, family doctors.
- Direct Service Workers: drop in workers, shelter and hostel workers, child and youth workers, youth justice workers.
- Educators: teachers, ECE, school administration, support staff.
- First Responders: police, firefighters, paramedics.
Level of training: Introductory/Intermediate
Client age category: For professionals who work with clients of all ages.
Trigger warning: Participating in our programming may evoke powerful feelings and can trigger participants who have experienced personal trauma.
Description: In high-stress and complex work environments, those who provide care and support to others need intentional support, skills and care to sustain themselves in the work. Learning and using different types of debriefing is one of the leading mitigating factors to vicarious trauma and isolation and can help create high-functioning, connected, and emotionally aware teams. This full-day workshop is designed for frontline workers, managers, and helping professionals who navigate complex, trauma-exposed environments and who want to build or strengthen their skills in debriefing and support.
Participants will explore practical tools, models, and trauma-informed strategies for navigating both acute critical incidents and the ongoing emotional toll of supporting others. This workshop blends theory, reflection, and applied practice, offering a collaborative space for learning, connection, and skill-building. The workshop is also informed by a social justice, strength-based, anti-colonial, and queer and trans affirming lens.
“Trauma pulls people toward isolation, and connection is one of our most powerful antidotes. This course focuses on intentional debriefing practices that foster brave conversations, curiosity, and resilience—helping people feel less alone and more able to stay in this work.” - Karine Silverwoman, MSW, RSW.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the purpose and power of debriefing, including the different types (immediate, informal, ongoing, critical incidents, and support around grief and losses).
- Explore models and debriefing skills to mitigate vicarious trauma and embody trauma-informed practice.
- Learn to support individuals and teams with high-risk and complex situations.
- Deepen emotional literacy, connection, and embodied resilience as individuals and as teams.
Continuing Education (CE) Information: SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) to offer continuing education (CE) hours. Full-day programs equal six CE hours; half-day programs equal three CE hours; for less than half-day programs, one hour of programming equals one CE hour. SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute maintains responsibility for the programs.
Other licensing boards and professional organizations will grant continuing education credits for attendance at their own discretion; participants will need to submit the course outline and Certificate of Participation for their consideration.
Registration closes
If registration has closed and you're still interested in joining this course, please contact Mary Anne at mvanrooyen@sickkidscmhlearning.ca
Accessibility
We strive to ensure our online learning programs are easy for everyone, everywhere. If you have any accessibility requirements (automatic transcripts, closed-captioning, ASL interpreters, advanced access to program materials), please email Mary Anne Van Rooyen at mvanrooyen@sickkidscmhlearning.ca to let us know how we can best support your learning experience.
Photography is being used for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted in the content is a model, except where indicated.