Recent Travels

On the first of October I presented a Keynote speech and a workshop to the Midwest Regional Conference of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. It has been interesting and rewarding to get to know these programs, which include both therapeutic residential school and Wilderness Adventure programs. They are beginning to utilize trauma informed care in their treatment approaches in unique ways.

I then travelled to Hawaii with my colleague Steve Brown to provide Risking Connection and Restorative Approach training to an agency there, Child and Family Service. It was a wonderful experience. It is certainly the only training at which I have been presented with two leis, one at the beginning and one at the end. I loved the Aloha spirit of the people in our training- they were so welcoming and helpful. The emphasis on multi cultural awareness was very moving. We can all learn from the way Hawaii incorporates all cultures into daily life. We had both agency personnel and representatives of the State Department of Mental Health in attendance. With four separate trauma related national grants, Hawaii is working hard to change their practice and offer more trauma informed services. We look forward to our ongoing work there. And of course exploring the island was wonderful- those beaches, turquoise water and waves! I snorkeled with bright colored fish and sea turtles.

This week I will be presenting two guest lectures: one at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA and one at St. Joseph’s College in West Hartford, CT. I am looking forward to the interaction with the students. It is encouraging to see information about trauma being included in college curricula.

Then I move on to upcoming trips to Chicago, Syracuse and the Yukon territory of Canada.

It’s a busy fall!