Seeking Safety is an evidenced-based, present-focused counseling model to help people attain safety from trauma and/or substance use disorder. It can be conducted in either a group (any size) and/or individual modality. It is an extremely safe model as it directly addresses both trauma and addiction, but without requiring clients to delve into the trauma narrative (the detailed account of disturbing trauma memories), thus making it relevant to a very broad range of clients and easy to implement. Seeking Safety has also been delivered successfully by peers in addition to professionals of all kinds and in a wide variety of settings, including with youth and young adults. It can be conducted over any number of sessions available (although the more the better when possible). Seeking Safety began in 1992 under grant funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). It was developed by Lisa M. Najavits, Ph.D, at Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital. It has been used in many countries and has been translated into over 8 languages. Recently the Seeking Safety Adolescent Toolkit was developed as a supplement to the Seeking Safety treatment manual
This training will review the principles and components of the Seeking Safety model, in addition to how it can meet the unique needs of youth and young adults in recovery from trauma and addiction. We will discuss the structure, format, and expectations of each of Seeking Safety’s 25 sessions. The training will then focus on identifying best practices for facilitating Seeking Safety with youth and young adults to enhance safety, connection and skill-building around recovery from trauma and substance use. We will also identify resources for ongoing training and support to facilitate Seeking Safety sessions for youth and young adults in recovery from trauma and substance use disorder.
This training is intended for professionals (clinicians, social workers, school counselors or nurses, clergy, case managers, etc.), community members, parents, and anyone seeking to support youth and young adults in recovery from trauma and substance use disorder. Prior knowledge is not required.
Objectives: Participants will be able to...
- Understand how trauma and substance use intersect, and the key principles of the Seeking Safety model.
- Identify ways that the Seeking Safety Adolescent Toolkit meets the developmental needs of youth and young adults in recovery from trauma and addiction.
- Understand the format, expectations, and structure of each Seeking Safety session to enhance safety, connection and skill-building.
- Identify best practices for facilitating the 25 topics in the Seeking Safety curriculum for individual and/or group work.
- Identify key resources for ongoing training and support in order to facilitate Seeking Safety with youth and young adults in recovery from trauma and substance use disorder.
Sponsored by:
MA Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, Office of Youth and Young Adult Services, Institute for Health and Recovery, & AdCare Educational Institute, Inc
Accommodations:
If you are Deaf or hard of hearing, or are a person with a disability who requires accommodation, please contact Gina Colon at AdCare Educational Institute, Inc. at (508) 752-7313; Fax: (508) 752-8111; TTY: (508) 754-0039 or email: gina@adcare-educatoinal.org at least three weeks prior to secure accommodations.