Private Training

De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations for Health Care Workers

1 day
Private training available April 2026

De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations for Health Care Workers

About this Workshop

Violence is a growing concern in health care settings. That’s why it’s critical to take a trauma-informed approach to de-escalation – one that combines assertiveness, empathy, and strong interpersonal communication to defuse tension before the situation turns violent.

In this workshop, you’ll use a trauma-informed lens to examine how anger, violence, and the health care environment intersect. You’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your own communication style, explore legal and ethical considerations, and build awareness of how trauma impacts behaviour.

By the end of this training, you’ll have the skills to assess the risk of violence and respond confidently, using a diverse set of practical tools and strategies designed to prevent escalation and promote safety – both for yourself and those in your care.

Note: We do not teach any physical restraints in this workshop. Our goal is to give you the tools to prevent violence before it occurs.

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Bring this Training to You

Target Audience

This workshop is for anyone working in a health care environment, including hospitals, clinics, personal care homes, and private home care. Whether you’re a health care professional or part of the support staff, you’ll gain practical skills that are valuable to everyone.

Method of Delivery

Presentation, video, case studies, experiential practice, personal reflection, and small group discussions.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

  • Express how the health care context can contribute to the risk of violence
  • Explain how the stress response system influences escalation
  • Apply trauma-informed principles to manage potentially violent situations
  • Summarize key legal and ethical considerations in potentially violent situations
  • Use a structured approach to safely defuse escalating behaviour

Topics Included

  • Violence in Health Care
  • A Trauma-Informed Approach to De-escalation
  • Emotion Regulation
  • The Anger Escalation Process
  • Enablers and Inhibitors of Violence
  • Cognitive Impairment and Aggression
  • Communicating With Upset People
  • A Four-Step De-escalation Process
  • Preventing Violence in Health Care
  • Legal and Ethical Considerations

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