CTRI ACHIEVE
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Chances are you work with someone who’s been impacted by trauma.

When you consider how trauma might be influencing someone who’s emotionally charged, everything changes. You’re not just defusing tension – you’re meeting the person with empathy and building trust.

Learn how to take a trauma-informed approach to de-escalation at our FREE 45 minute live virtual community event on June 10th at 1 PM CT.

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70% of people have experienced a traumatic event.

And trauma changes how people interact, respond, and engage with others.

Empathy in Action: A Trauma-Informed Approach to De-escalation

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What you’ll learn

It’s critical to take a trauma-informed approach to de-escalation – how you respond can make all the difference.

But with the wrong approach, the risk of violence increases.

So many emotionally heightened interactions happen with people we know, and there’s an ongoing relationship to consider. By responding to the need behind the behaviour, you’re increasing connection, respecting the relationship, and preventing further harm.

Join our free community event to explore why trauma-informed de-escalation matters. You’ll leave with a practical strategy you can start using right away, and there’ll be time at the end to ask questions and engage directly with the trainers.

We’ll discuss:

  • The importance of a trauma-informed approach to de-escalation
  • Common trauma responses and your role in escalation
  • The importance of emotion regulation in successful de-escalation
  • A new skill you can add to your de-escalation toolbox
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Meet the Trainers

Photo of Nathan Gerbrandt, managing director of CTRI Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute

Nathan Gerbrandt, MSW, RSW

Nathan is the Managing Director of CTRI. He is passionate about promoting trauma-informed practices that support individuals, organizations and communities.

Prior to working with CTRI, Nathan coordinated service delivery and rehabilitation planning for people with co-occurring disorders and complex trauma in conflict with the law. He has refined skills in violence prevention, risk management, and collaborative treatment planning for vulnerable people. In addition, Nathan possesses speciality in the areas of disability services, case management, and working with people with FASD. He holds a Master of Social Work degree and is a Registered Social Worker.

Nathan believes that the key to improving people’s lives through training is to find the right fit. When this connection is made it inspires a ripple effect that can extend to everyone we meet. He is co-author of A Little Book About Trauma-Informed Workplaces and the editor of many of CTRI’s training materials including Trauma-Informed Care, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations. Nathan is an engaging presenter who uses an interactive style to find real-life meaning in his workshops.

Circle photo of trainer Sheri Coburn

Sheri Coburn, MSW, RSW

Sheri is a Registered Social Worker who holds a Master of Social Work degree and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology. She has a diverse professional background with experience as a correctional officer, addictions counsellor, and developer and coordinator of a domestic violence outreach program.

Sheri is a contributing author of our Counselling Insights and Counselling in Relationships books. In addition to her work with CTRI, She is also a counsellor in a private practice setting, providing individual and family support in the areas of mental health, addiction, recovering after relationship breakdown, and trauma. Sheri believes humour, self-acceptance, and social connection is the best framework for successful healing and meaningful learning. She works to reflect this in her facilitation style and is a knowledgeable, passionate, and engaging presenter.

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What People Are Saying

“Working with CTRI ensured that we were using reputable trainers with professionally accredited backgrounds that could support our staff through this work, which can be emotionally or trauma-triggering.”
Aislinn Gentles, Saulteau First Nations

“The trainer was able to connect her previous career experience and demonstrated her understanding of the work we do each day. The training was well-timed, and the breakout discussions were very engaging and well-paced.”
Trina Washington, Niagara College

“CTRI was very flexible and worked hard to find trainers to work with us on the only four days we had available for our staff to attend training.”
Jessica Tait, Nine Circles Community Health Centre

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Take the next step.

Register now to learn more about traumatic events and the benefits of critical incident group debriefing.

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Free Resources

Blog

Discover 7 tops for defusing violent situations

Printable Resource

Learn more about 7 ways to defuse violent situations.

Podcast

Listen to a discussion about the process of de-escalating potentially violent situations.

Printable Resource

Dealing with Chronic Passive-Aggression

Help us create a
trauma-informed world.

Register now!

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