Debriefing & Mutual Support
Creating & Implementing an Organizational Strategy
INTENSIVE PROGRAM
Does your organization have a plan to support the needs of your staff?
In the event of a critical incident, every organization requires a plan for providing immediate support. However, for trauma-exposed workplaces, it is equally important to address the ongoing “wear and tear” of daily trauma exposure, which is often overlooked.
The TEND Debriefing & Mutual Support (D/MS) program gives you the tools and resources to build a program uniquely adapted to your workplace.
Broaden Your Understanding of Support Practices
Providing opportunities to receive integrated support at work is a key component of a healthy workplace.
However, research shows that some commonly used methods of debriefing may be more harmful than helpful. This program will provide you with an overview of current literature to identify best-practices.
Craft a Values-Driven Strategy
Using the Continuum of Mutual Support Practices, you will learn which elements and practices are essential for an effective D/MS program.
You will also explore the unique qualities and values that, once embedded in your program, will elevate it from ‘just another policy’ to an integrated practice.
Complete Your Program Checklist
Getting from ‘good idea’ to practical change is the greatest challenge to sustainable implementation.
Finish this program with a plan on where and how to start, including tips on overcoming challenges and pushback.
Upcoming Sessions
Date: January 23 & 24, 2025
Format: Two days of training + two online Q&A sessions
Investment: $3,600 CAD + applicable taxes
Start Date: TBD
Format: Four weeks of training (two sessions a week) + one follow-up Q&A session
Investment: $2,950 CAD + applicable taxes
Registration for the Debriefing & Mutual Support Program for Spring 2025 is coming soon.
Please email alison@tendacademy.ca for more information or to be placed on our waiting list.
Contact us to bring this training to your organization.
Program Instructor
Diana Tikasz
MSW, RSW
Diana Tikasz, MSW, RSW, has worked in the teaching and health care sector for over 30 years and specializes in trauma-focused work. Over the course of her career, she has worked as a member of emergency department crisis teams and coordinated hospital-based sexual assault and domestic violence treatment programs which included assisting individuals experiencing a crisis, counselling those who have been traumatized by violence, and teaching a variety of other professionals how to do this work effectively while staying healthy themselves.
Debriefing & Mutual Support Program Learning Programs
Widening the Lens on Debriefing & Mutual Support (D/MS)
- What is Debriefing? Gain an understanding of why some debriefing practices may be more harmful than helpful.
- The “I’m Fine” Phenomenon: Examine the impact of potentially traumatic events and common responses to trauma exposure.
- Immediate vs. On-Going Support: Discover four trauma-informed approaches to providing on-going support to teams.
Building the Scaffolding
- Foundational Elements: Review four fundamental elements necessary for an effective D/MS program.
- Triaging Potentially Traumatic Events: Apply a trauma-informed lens to your own workplace and identify which situations require debriefing and support.
- The Continuum of D/MS Models: Undertake an extensive exploration of tertiary, secondary, and primary support practices to identify which models will be best suited to your unique workplace.
Animating the Structure
- The Human Element: Determine the qualities and values essential to obtaining buy-in from staff.
- Tips for Facilitation: Access resources and recommendations for facilitating D/MS practices in groups, including scripts, agendas, and guidelines.
- Your Unique Recipe: Select the tools, strategies, and models that best fit your organization’s needs.
Checklist to Building Your D/MS Program
- Putting It All Together: Synthesize your lessons learned with an eight step checklist.
- “Yes, But…”: Identify common challenges and barriers to implementation including stigma and busyness.
- A Community of Practice: Troubleshoot issues with your peers during two follow-up reflection opportunities.
Plus, exercises, assessments, tools, and checklists to help you create and implement your D/MS program.
- Workbooks: Each participant will receive a copy of The Debriefing & Mutual Support Program workbook as well as a copy of a ‘must read’ book recommended by the instructor.
- One-Year Subscription to the TEND Toolkit: Access to our library of resources with 100+ videos, articles, book recommendations, and strategies.
- Scripts, Agendas, Audio Recordings & More: Essential resources to both plan and facilitate your D/MS program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should take this program?
Anyone who is interested in learning more about debriefing and mutual support practices. This program is designed for facilitators as well as those responsible for creating and implementing support practices in their workplace.
Past participants of our programs include professionals from healthcare, education, legal fields, policing, military, government agencies, public health, advocacy, animal welfare, and many others.
Is there a prerequisite for enrolling in this program?
Yes. All participants of the Debriefing & Mutual Support program will be given access to three of our on-demand webinars that cover the basics of secondary traumatic stress, grounding practices, and psychological first aid. These sessions provide the fundamental knowledge necessary to fully engage in this training. These materials will be made available to you upon receipt of your course fee or non-refundable deposit.
We encourage all participants to set aside 3-hours of protected time prior to the beginning of the program to review the introductory material.
What is your cancellation policy?
We reserve the right to cancel this program should the number of registrations be insufficient. We are not responsible for any costs that may be incurred by the cancellation of this program.
In the event that TEND cancels this program, all program fees including deposits will be returned to participants.
For Online Offerings
- If you choose to cancel your registration on or before 8 days prior to the beginning of the program, you will receive a refund of your course fee minus the registration deposit of $500.00 CAD + Tax. This deposit can be put towards a future program.
- If you have already received the materials for this course prior to cancelling, you will be responsible for this cost ($250.00 CAD + Tax).
- No refunds will be issued on or after 7 days prior to the beginning of the program. A colleague may attend in your place.
For In-Person Offerings
- If you choose to cancel your registration on or before 15 days prior to the beginning of the program, you will receive a refund of your course fee minus the registration deposit of $500.00 CAD + Tax. This deposit can be put towards a future program.
- If you have already received the materials for this course prior to cancelling, you will be responsible for this cost ($250.00 CAD + Tax).
- No refunds will be issued on or after 14 days prior to the beginning of the program. A colleague may attend in your place.
What technology do I need to participate?
You will require a reliable internet connection, a microphone, and webcam. Participants will also need to be comfortable using the online program Dropbox to access materials for this program.
I’m unable to attend all of the sessions. Can I still take the course?
For Online Offerings
Yes, all of the Zoom sessions will be recorded and can be viewed on your own schedule. Participants will be responsible for reviewing any missed materials throughout the course.
For In-Person Offerings
Participants must attend the full two days of in-person training. The follow-up Q&A sessions will be recorded and can be viewed on your own schedule.
The program is full! What can I do?
In order to ensure a personalized experience for all participants, registration for this program is limited. If the current session is full, please email Alison, our Operations Manager, to be placed on our waiting list.
Can I bring this training to my organization?
Yes. We offer our Debriefing & Mutual Support Training Program as an in-house training to organizations. Contact Alison, Operations Manager, to learn more.
Graduates of the TEND Debriefing & Mutual Support program include leaders, managers, and facilitators.
The style in which TEND presenters show up and share is engaging and digestible and well researched. I feel confident in bringing back this information to my organization as we continue to create a culture of support.”
SPRING 2024
TAKE THIS COURSE! If you are invested in supporting your workplace through debriefing and mutual support, this course will give you the tools to build that foundation.”
The cost is completely worth it because of the instructors, content, and the professionalism of the group. The data driven work of TEND is made consumable for any employee group wanting to do better. You walk away with materials, assessments, and plans to put in to action for your organization.”
SPRING 2024