Capacity Building Program

Train the Trainer

Champion organizational health in your workplace

What makes trauma-exposed work so uniquely challenging compared to other high-stress jobs?

This question is at the heart of this program. The TEND Train the Trainer is a professional development program designed for those who want to deepen their understanding of the costs of caring: secondary traumatic stress and empathic strain (also known as compassion fatigue).

This is not a traditional “train the trainer” program. Rather than offering a plug-and-play script, we help you build confidence and capacity to support your team’s wellbeing.

What do graduates gain from this program?

After completing this course, participants leave equipped with:

Skills and resources to deliver workshops on empathic strain and secondary trauma.

A deep understanding of why traditional wellness efforts fall short.

Tool and strategies to build a secondary-trauma informed culture.

Personal insight and a passion for this work.

What past participants are saying about this program

You will have a deeper understanding of yourself and how to help others by taking this. This is essential learning for managers to effectively support staff.

Pamela Robichaud, Zonal Manager Cancer Care

Nova Scotia Health

It was one of the most informative and rewarding trainings I’ve ever been a part of. The training not only allowed me to look at my own signs and symptoms but recognize it in my peers as well. I would recommend this course to anyone in a caring profession.

Sergeant Mike Bolme, Investigations Section

Bismarck Police Department

This was one of the most unique education experiences I’ve had the privilege of participating in. The materials provided, the discussion and nuggets that I have come away with have been so healing and not only help me in my own practice, but I know they are having a positive impact as I share them with colleagues and
clients/caregivers alike. I highly recommend this course

Blaire MacMillan, Occupational Therapist

Be prepared for 2 days of a great experience. Being in the field of Social Work, I truly feel that this workshop is a necessity for our survival in our day to day work life. Nothing else like this out there. Go in it with an open heart and open mind and soak it all in!

Richard Laurente, Youth Outreach Worker

Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre

I have observed how meaningful and empowering this learning experience has on individuals and organizations. I strongly believe in the value of this work and its capacity to create positive change. I am grateful for the opportunity to incorporate it into my own toolkit and share it with others.

Danielle Mink, Director, Glenn Crombie Centre for Accessibility, Counselling and Wellness

Cambrian College

I would encourage you to take this course!

Monique Hogan, Unit Resource Nurse

Nova Scotia Health

I found the information in the course very insightful and up to date. The training was presented in a way that did not overwhelm – but rather, supported learning. I was treated professionally, and all aspects of the course modeled what was being taught. This has been the best adult learning course I have experienced to date. 🙂

Leila, Integrated Program Planning Specialist

Spring 2021

The science-informed content of the Train the Trainer Program is combined with real-world examples and practical exercises and is brought in an adult-learning style. Sprinkled with stories and taught with a degree of lightness inspirational to any trainer working with challenging topics and environments, the program expands on your ability to care for and tend to the people you connect with in a compassionate and kind manner.

Sabrina, Researcher & Trainer

Winter 2023

I have attended a number of training and TEND’s Train the Trainer Program is by far one of my favourite experiences. Each session was engaging, full of information and examples allowing me to feel prepared to offer training on my own.

Samantha, Mental Health Nutrition Consultant

Winter 2023

It was so helpful to have a wide range of participants to engage with and get to know the different strengths and areas of challenge that varied for everyone. In having so many discussions, and examples to discuss as a group and smaller break-out groups, it really made the learning so engaging. It was also huge to come away with seeing how we could co-facilitate to make teaching even stronger to our departments and staff.

Tammie Riggs, Workplace Health Promotion Coordinator

Nova Scotia Health

This training allowed me to reflect on my own experiences from a different lens and to use that information to inform what an effective workshop might look like for others. Francoise brings a wealth of knowledge and her unique ability to speak in relatable and compassionate ways.

Naomi, D.

You will definitely walk away learning something that you can not only apply during your training session but in your personal life as well!

RayAnn Ceres

Very informative and inspiring! I was so engaged throughout the course!

Jennifer Van Linthout

CMHA Halton

The instructors depth of knowledge and ability to keep the learning ‘real’ was very engaging. The interesting combination of participants in my cohort from various cities and workplaces, made for intriguing conversation, while normalizing that the challenges being experienced in health service areas are also being experienced in other high stress and trauma-exposed work environments. Perhaps a troublesome thought that so many are hurting across so many fields of work, but the strength of many coming together to find alternate resolutions was reinforcing.

Past Participant, Mental Health and Substance Use Director

Summer 2025

This training allowed me to think about the work I do on a daily basis, and how I can better support employees and myself. I think this training was valuable for me in a lot of ways and did get me thinking about my HR colleagues, especially those in healthcare and social services.

Lisa Reddy, People and Culture Manager

CMHA Peel Dufferin

Highly recommended! If you want to become a leader, or grow in your field of work, this course should be a mandatory training. Leaders/managers, and supervisors.

Past Participant, Community Justice Specialist

Winter 2025

I would encourage anyone in a leadership role to take the opportunity. It provides you with language, evidence-based research and strategies to increase protective factors.

Erin Jolly, Director Intervention Services

Nova Scotia Early Childhood Development Intervention Services

This is a fantastic start to keeping your staff and other agencies healthy. The toolbox is great for resources. It sets you up well to go out and train.

Past Participant

Dakota Children's Advocacy Center

This program is one of the best training programs I’ve attended. It really opens up your perspective and teaches you not only the knowledge but the skills/tools you can use or incorporate into your training. Highly recommend to anyone who is trying to make a change or difference in their workplace but do not understand where or how to start.

Past Participant

Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre

As a member of leadership, this also helped me to understand my teams responses and provided strategies for educating them and checking in that are authentic and actually work! (not just a bubble bath, no matter how nice those are).

Past Participant

Absolutely do this course – it is something you may not realize that you need in your life.

Past Participant

Understand why your workplace is so complex

Using traditional mental health models, many workplaces struggle to explain the distress their staff are facing. By taking this program you will learn to recognize the underlying factors that are silently shaping your workplace culture.

Bring practical strategies for well-being back to your team

One of the greatest challenges in addressing secondary traumatic stress and empathic strain is knowing what to do. You will learn practical, evidence-informed strategies to help your people do their jobs well. You will also learn how best to deliver these strategies to your team, whether that is through training and workshops, or designing workplace practices.

Join a community of leaders and advocates

Leading, teaching, and advocating for change is difficult work. This program brings you together with people who are navigating similar challenges in diverse fields. Together, we will build a community of practice to share ideas, strategies, and support one another.

Developed by Françoise Mathieu

MEd, RP
Educator, Trauma-Trained Therapist, Author of the “Compassion Fatigue Workbook,” Executive Director of TEND

“From day one, TEND’s mission has been to give organizations of every size the tools they need to build healthy, resilient workplaces. While we love coming in to deliver training, we know the most sustainable change happens when you or your staff have the skills and confidence to carry this work forward. I created this program nearly 20 years ago with that vision in mind and the goal is still the same today: to equip helping professionals with the tools, language, and confidence to thrive in trauma-exposed work.”

Who is this program for?

This program is designed for people working in high-stress, trauma-exposed environments who want to take a formal or informal leadership role in supporting well-being. Whether that is through delivering workshops or supporting the development of better policies and procedures, you will learn how to address secondary traumatic stress and related challenges within complex workplaces.

You don’t need to be a professional trainer or have a background in mental health to benefit. What matters most is your commitment to creating healthier, more resilient workplaces.