Learning Opportunities
Risking Connection^® provides an operating philosophy that supports the transformation to trauma-informed care in all settings (including mental health and addiction services, crime victim assistance, veteran and military family support, schools and child serving agencies, faith communities, and corrections). Risking Connection^® creates a robust contextual foundation for many of the most-used interventions and processes for helping people heal, whether it’s CBT, DBT, EMDR, or any other trauma-informed intervention.

Here’s how the RC curriculum works! Everyone must begin his or her training by acquiring the Risking Connections^® Essentials. This 20-hour course is currently available in an instructor-led workshop format.

In addition to teaching Essential and Applications Trainings, RC facilitators are available to provide an overview on RICH^® relationships and to consult with organizations who wish to examine their practices and make them more trauma-informed.

Risking Connection^® Essentials
Identification of RC principles, practices, and philosophy occurs through interaction, activity, and review with intermittent quizzes to help ensure knowledge retention. After you complete RC Essentials, you will be able to

• Utilize the Risking Connection^® framework when supporting trauma survivors
• Recognize the impact of traumatic events on people who survive them
• Share the role and function of RICH^® relationships
• Notice your own reactions and use your self-awareness to help yourself and others
• Provide better care for yourself in the area of managing vicarious traumatization

The Essentials training is a 20-hour program that can be broken into modules.

Risking Connection^® Application Trainings
These highly specialized trainings are currently available for individuals who have successfully completed RC Essentials training and are working in the following fields:

• Residential Child and Adolescent Treatment Programs
• Mental Health Service Delivery Programs
• Domestic Violence Programs
• Faith-Based and Ministry Programs

Additional applications are in development.

Application trainings offer instruction specific to the given work setting and teach use of the RC Essentials for

• Managing trauma-related crises without re-traumatization
• Preventing trauma-related crises without re-traumatization
• Managing trauma-related symptoms such as dissociation and flashbacks
• Working in the context (that is, applying cases specific to the faith community, DV shelter/program, etc.)

Application training sessions can range from 6-20 hours, depending on the needs of the audience, organization, or work setting. Contact us to develop a follow-up training that is right for you.

RICH^® Relationships 101
An excellent addition to your conference, association meeting, or as a value-added in-service training, this program brings the highlights of the Risking Connection^® relational frame in focus. Available as a one-day event or two 3-hour sessions, this program covers these topics and more:

• What people in emotional pain need
• How RICH^® relationships help
• Attachment, distress, and the nervous system
• How punishing feelings affects attachment

View a sample guide to the content and topics presented.

Organizational Consulting
Risking Connection’s^® organizational consulting process facilitates systemic change in environments where trauma survivors seek help:

• Primary Care Practices
• Human Resource Departments
• Human Services Agencies
• Faith-Based Organizations
• Disaster Relief Services

We will work with your staff to review the relational aspects of the workplace and how they might be improved using RICH^® relationships and the Risking Connection^® model.

Custom Training or Conference Presentations
Sidran Institute’s new full-service speaker’s bureau, www.SidranSpeakers.com, can bring professional speakers and presenters on many topics related to trauma, recovery, and healing to you for in-house education or conference presentations—keynotes, plenaries, panel discussions, and workshops.

Our respected speakers hail from many backgrounds. Whatever your need, we’d like to help you make your event the best ever. Click here for more information, or contact us to book your event now.

Reviews From Users

“It really offered an empathetic training that helped the practitioner to understand the attempts clients make (sometimes [with] symptomatology) to deal with trauma.”

“It gives the health care professional a comprehensive tool to provide a therapeutic environment that does not completely deplete the provider.”

“It taught me a great deal about looking at myself and the importance of self-care in order to care for others. I learned so much about trauma, crisis response, and the importance of strong client relationships.”

“[It made it possible for me to] make a palpable connection to clients—which is what helps as much as anything.”

“It utilizes an empathic, non-judgmental frame in which to talk about and work on client’s trauma and all of their relationships….”

“[This training included] many valuable concepts which are not necessarily included in other trainings I’ve been to, i.e., emphasis on self-care for therapists and understanding VT.”

“[This training made it possible for me to] quite simply, become a better counselor and very importantly, learn how to protect myself from vicarious traumatization and subsequent burnout. I know how to empathize with myself so I can do a better job of it with my clients.”