Agenda and Speakers

Thank you for attending the 2019 Inviting Resilience Conference.
Agenda: May 21
8:00 a.m. – Arrival, Conference Registration and Networking
8:45 a.m. – Opening Plenary including Opening Remarks & Keynote: Dr. Katia Keefer, Conference Chair; Lead Researcher, Building Internal Resilience Through Horses; Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Trent University: “Resourceful Communities, Resilient Youth: Building Internal Resilience Through Horses”
10:30 a.m. – Networking Break and Poster Exhibition
10:45 a.m. – Concurrent Sessions
The Way We Live Now – Early Risk and Resilience Factors for Anxiety
Laura J. Summerfeldt, Ph.D., C.Psych. Department of Psychology, Trent University
Anxiety conditions and disorders, such as specific phobia and social anxiety disorder, are now considered the most common mental health problem in Canadian children and youth. This reflects a steady increase in their prevalence in the last decade or so, which is worrying given that most do not receive appropriate treatment and usually worsen without such. This talk will examine how contemporary trends in the experience of children and youth – the way our children live now – align with known risk factors for the development and perpetuation of problematic anxiety, according to a large body of psychological research and theory. A particular focus will be the wide-ranging direct and indirect effects of technology use. Also discussed will be protective factors, including as found in our team’s original research with both typical and clinical adult populations, which appear to aid resilience not only to anxiety
Laura J. Summerfeldt is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. She is also a registered Clinical Psychologist. She received her doctorate in Canada, from York University, and completed her postdoctoral training in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, where she then served on the clinical adjunct faculty for over a decade.
Promoting Resilience in Victims of Sexual Violence
This presentation will provide the audience with an overview of the research to date on sexual victimization among children and youth, examining the literature from an intersectional perspective. Findings from the largest study of child welfare-involved youth (The Maladaptive Adolescent Pathways Study) in relation to sexual victimization, coping, and resilience will be presented. An app created from research and youth feedback to bolster resilience in youth will be introduced: https://futurumcareers.com/dr-christine-wekerle-finding-joy-in-an-app
Savanah
The Reaching Out Through Yoga Project: What We’ve Learned So Far
Renee Turner, Research Coordinator, BC Society of Transition Houses
Niki Lacey, Volunteer Coordinator, Yoga Outreach
The workshop will be both theoretical and practical, summarizing what we’ve learned so far from this community –based research project. Workshop participants will be given tips on how to incorporate trauma-informed principles into their work and will be
Renee Turner, BC Society of Transition Houses
Renee is the Research Coordinator for the Reaching Out with Yoga (ROWY) project at the BC Society of Transition Houses. Renee is passionate about creating positive social change through community-based, community-focused research. Her background is in public health and she has worked on a number of projects both in Vancouver and Sydney, Australia, in the areas of Indigenous Health, Prison Health, HIV-prevention and Rural Maternal Health. She loves working on the ROWY project, as it merges her health research interests with one of her biggest passions: yoga. Renee has been teaching yoga for 10 years and loves bringing her two “worlds” together in this work. She has loved learning the ways to make her yoga teaching AND her research more trauma-informed as a result of what she has learned throughout the
Niki Lacey, Yoga Outreach
Niki is an authentic, creative professional who works on the Reaching Out with Yoga project as the Volunteer Coordinator. Niki holds a BA Degree in Child and Youth Care Counselling and is also certified in Outward Pursuits (Adventure-based Counselling) with over twelve years’ experience working with complex youth and families throughout BC and Alberta. She has a passion for identifying resilience and empowering others through strength-based, introspective practices. She regularly practices yoga, mindfulness, breath and bodywork and hopes that by introducing these healing modalities to others they too can find more balance, peace and strength from within. In addition to her work with Yoga Outreach, she also runs her own business facilitating Team Empowerment Sessions with
Fostering Resilience During Pregnancy, and Beyond: examining the implications of intergenerational trauma.
Tracey Wicks, Women’s Rural Resource Centre
Utilizing an anti-oppressive and feminist framework we will examine the impacts of domestic violence and past trauma, during the stages of pregnancy, childbirth and the post-partum period. Supporting Mothers in their birthing and caregiving journey enhances maternal health and decreases intergenerational cycles of trauma. Reviewing evidence-based research on attachment, parenting and
Tracey Wicks is a Child and Youth Worker who specializes in youth engagement, advocacy and crisis intervention support. Tracey utilizes an anti-oppressive and feminist approach when supporting youth and adults in trauma
12:15 p.m. – Lunch and Poster Exhibition, Experiential Opportunity: Trauma Informed Yoga
1:30 p.m. – Concurrent Sessions
Teaching Emotional Intelligence: Essential Steps for Achieving Success
James D. A. Parker, Ph.D., Professor and Canada Research Chair in Emotion and Health, Department of Psychology, Trent University
Over the past few
James D. A. Parker is Professor (Full) of Psychology at Trent University, where he is also director of the Emotion and Health Research Laboratory.
Transforming Care for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome at Peterborough Regional Health Centre
This presentation will provide a review of how we have transformed care at PRHC for mothers and babies with possible Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome; and helped mothers be knowledgeable about, and insightful towards, the care of their infant. With our current approach, we have reduced infant length of stay and attempt to keep mom and baby dyads together even if treatment is required. This presentation will answer the following questions: What is Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome?
What is the current approach for possible NAS at Peterborough Regional Health Centre?
How has the current approach improved care for mothers and babies?
What is available to help mothers and babies who have needed to use medications or recreational drugs during pregnancy?
How Hiphop dance and Movement play a part in trauma therapy for children and youth
As a Trent Alumni from 2011, Rachael Edge, also known within the community arts, Spoken Word, and dance scene as
Sound intriguing? Come take part in her participatory and experiential presentation on “How
(She/Her, They/Them)
Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence on College & University Campuses: Process and Practice
Mandy Bonisteel, Counsellor and Advocate, Faculty Member Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Counsellor/Advocate Program at George Brown College
Barb MacQuarrie, Community Director, Centre for Research and Education on Violence against Women & Children at Western University
This presentation will demonstrate the ways that a new free, accessible, online training can teach those employed in a wide range of campus roles and positions the skills needed to respond to disclosures of sexual violence using a trauma and violence informed approach. The presentation will also discuss Relational Practice as a framework for implementing an empowerment and resilience focussed approach in any organization.
Mandy Bonisteel has been a counsellor, advocate and consultant in the anti-violence movement for over 30 years. She has worked with both survivors and perpetrators of gendered violence. Her international and local work includes sexual violence survivor support development, NGO capacity building; curriculum development for government and post-secondary programs, and anti-oppression/harassment and relational practice training for various organizations and businesses. Mandy is a faculty member in the Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Counsellor/Advocate Program at George Brown College and a recipient of the Ontario Medal of Citizenship.
Barb MacQuarrie is the Community Director of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence against Women & Children at Western University. She conducts research and develops evidence-based education and prevention initiatives involving both community-based and university-based partners. She has published in numerous journals and produced films on topics related to violence and abuse. Barb has presented to a wide variety of audiences locally, nationally and internationally about gendered violence, its impacts and strategies to address it. She is a recipient of the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest official honour, recognizing individual excellence.
3:00 p.m. – Networking Break and Poster Exhibition
3:20 p.m. – Concurrent Sessions
Reducing Vulnerabilities and Fostering Resilience for Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence
Cathy Vine MSW, RSW writer, and researcher
Findings of a four year mixed method study, Make Resilience Matter, investigating resilience factors and processes with children and youth exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) are translated into practice approaches for work with this population. Application of resilience concepts and fostering resilience are illustrated through case examples, practical tools and discussion.
Cathy Vine MSW, RSW engages in research, writing, and action projects to advance the well-being and rights of children and youth and other marginalized groups. Highlights include supporting the SSHRC-funded research project, Make Resilience Matter for Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence; working with urban-based Indigenous peoples and organizations to advance their aspirations through the Red Road Report; working with the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth supporting young people to plan and hold the Youth Leaving Care Hearings at Queen’s Park; co-editing the book, Cruel but not Unusual: Violence in Canadian Families, 2nd edition, 2012; and, managing the project and co-authoring the report, Resilience: Successful Navigation through Significant Threat, 2010.
A Neuroscientific Approach to Stress Resilience Evaluation and Treatment
Guillaume Durand M.Sc.,
This presentation reviews recent scientific advancements in the field of stress resilience for individuals working in high-stress environments. It provides a summary of the impact of repeated stress exposure on psychological, physiological, biological, and epigenetic mechanisms. Current models and frameworks to evaluate stress resilience and cognitive abilities in individuals prone to work-related stress are explored. Lastly, an overview of potential treatments to increase stress resiliency in said individuals is discussed.
Guillaume Durand has obtained a Master’s degree in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience from Maastricht University and is currently completing the final year of his
Nato' we ho win (the art of self-healing): Ancestral Processes Receptive to Knowing
Barb Frazer M.Ed, BA is an Indigenous Knowledge Systems researcher, cultural educator, botanist, and writer
Crystal Giesbrecht MSW, Director of Research and Communications at the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS)
Nato’ we ho win (the art of self-healing) is a trauma-informed, arts-based healing program for Indigenous women who have experienced violence. The presentation will cover the development and design of the program and some preliminary findings from the intervention research.
“Nato’ we ho win is a way of life, a process in resilience. Embedded in
Barb Frazer is an Indigenous Knowledge Systems researcher, cultural educator, botanist, and writer. In her role and responsibility as an Elder’s helper, Barb lived and worked within Indigenous Knowledge (Kiskēýihtamowin) teachings and learned Traditional Medicines (Maskihkiya) ways. Barb holds
Crystal Giesbrecht is the Director of Research and Communications at the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS), the member association for 21 domestic violence shelters and counselling centres. Crystal is a Registered Social Worker and holds a BA (Hons. in Psychology), BSW, and MSW, and Graduate Certificate in Forensic Practice. She has worked as a Domestic Violence Counsellor (casual) and is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Regina and a member of the Expert Advisory Panel for Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability.
I’ve Looked at Resilience From Both Sides Now Practical Lessons From One Man’s Journey
Tom Regehr, Executive Director, The CAST Projects
Becca Partington, BA
Professionals often question the best method to help another person gain resilience. This workshop explores the essence of resilience in real-time, in real situations, exploring the best methods for communicating, assuring, supporting and stepping back from an individual. Participants will become more confident in making choices around inviting resilience.
Tom Regehr is a successful consultant and motivational public speaker who speaks directly to the professional mind about issues of the heart. He talks about suffering, processes and activities towards bringing about positive change, progressive healing and the opportunity to embrace life with all
Regehr has been self-employed since the age of 14 and has sat on numerous advisory councils and boards in the social service sector. He is the founder of CAST Canada and has engaged professionals and corporations to better understand the roles of trauma and unresolved grief in, addictions, homelessness, chronic unemployment, mental illness and other concerns through the coordination of workshops,
Tom connects human level activity to business and encourages the investment of employers to promote a healthy balance within their staff and their people.
In 2011 Becca joined CAST Canada as coordinator and works alongside founder Tom Regehr in the strategic planning of CAST’s goals, meshing her own passions for creating meaning and improving quality of life with Regehr’s original mandate to reduce suffering in our communities. With a combined history of front line work as a health and helping professional and a family
Through a blend of networking, community engagement, workshop facilitation and marketing, Becca keeps busy at the CAST office. As the Director of Operations for their new
5:00 p.m. – Day 1 Adjourns
Agenda: May 22
8:00 a.m. – Arrival, Conference Registration and Networking
8:45 a.m. – Opening Plenary
Indigenous Resurgence as Resilience: Promising Pathways for Resilience and Healing in Indigenous Contexts
In this presentation, I explore how issues of trauma, resilience, healing and reconciliation can be reconsidered through Indigenous lenses. Canada is a settler state, meaning that colonialism cannot be thought of as an event in the past from which we are now recovering; rather, settler states are those where “the settler never left” (Tuck and Yang, 2012:5). In a settler state,
In this climate of persistent structural inequities, the experiences of Indigenous children, youth and families are too often reduced to pathologizing labels and measurements of PTSD, non-compliance, complex and inter-generational trauma, self-harm, loss of culture, and substance use. Indigenous families represent a flourishing industry for services and interventions focused on promoting their resilience and healing them from trauma. Yet, their trauma is too often produced by these very systems. Given that Indigenous communities already demonstrate expansive resilience in the face of hundreds of years of intersecting colonial policies, our resilience-building interventions should also focus on the systems that have created and perpetuate trauma.
Understanding how Indigenous children, families and communities embody healing, dignity and self-determination invites us to move beyond Eurowestern psycho-social notions of resilience. Indigenous concepts of resilience instead foreground the political, historical, economic, and sociocultural inequities that produce ongoing colonial violence. Beyond a bio-psycho-social model of individual functioning and aptitudes, they uphold practices of kinship-making,
Sandrina de Finney is an associate professor whose primary focus of scholarship is Indigenous and minoritized populations, particularly youth in care and girls/young women. Drawing on over two decades of experience as a community activist, researcher, trainer and youth worker, Sandrina’s academic work documents the impact of (neo)colonial practices and policies and how racialized communities negotiate and disrupt their effects. Her scholarship is rooted in participatory, action-oriented, and arts-based methods and draws on Indigenous, queer, anti-racist, anti/postcolonial and transnational feminist theories and perspectives.
10:30 a.m. – Networking Break and Poster Exhibition
10:45 a.m. – Concurrent Sessions
A Suicide Prevention Curriculum for First Nations Youth
Harvey McCue, MA, BA, founding faculty member of the Native Studies Department at Trent University, Chair of the Ontario Heritage Trust
Brent Angell PhD, Professor Emeritus at the University of Windsor
Amy Alberton MSW PhD Candidate
First Nations youth are proportionately at a higher risk for attempting and completing suicide than their non-indigenous counterparts. Understanding that fostering protective factors and reducing risk factors will ultimately reduce youth suicide attempts and self-harm, the purpose of this curriculum is to promote resilience and
Harvey McCue was educated at McMaster University (MA) and Trent University (BA). Working as a consultant on Indigenous matters related to health, education, self-government, public relations and economic development. Significantly, he was a founding faculty member of the Native Studies Department at Trent University and has provided consultation to numerous Indigenous organizations and government departments, including the Assembly of First Nations, the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, and Indigenous Services Canada. He also worked as the first Chief Executive Officer and founder of the
Brent Angell was educated at Case Western Reserve University (PhD), Wilfrid Laurier University (MSW), and Trent University (BA). As a Professor Emeritus at the University of Windsor, his scholarly interests focus on redefining critical perspectives related to diversity and community practice. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the online periodical Critical Social Work: An Interdisciplinary Journal Dedicated to Social Justice and provides consultation to a broad constituency on topics
Amy Alberton was educated at the University of Windsor (MSW, BA) and is a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Windsor’s School of Social Work. She received an
Contextualizing and Facilitating Resilience: thinking outside the box based on the 4-H Equine Resilience Research Project
Heather Sansom, Diploma Rec Therapy, BA, MA, PhD, NCCP Equestrian Coach, PTS
The 4-H resilience study initially focused on youth participants in equine clubs as an extension of sport for youth development in rural contexts. Like many other sub-populations, rural communities experience lower wellbeing with less access to mental and physical health support, while also having many resilience assets. Occurring in a community-based recreational program, not staffed by education, sport or mental health professionals, the 4-H activity actually sat at the intersection of outdoor experiential learning, positive youth development, therapeutic recreation, mental health promotion, and
Heather Sansom, PhD, is a consultant and teaches community college courses in fitness and health promotion. She is also a recreation therapist, life and fitness coach, and internationally certified equestrian coach. Following careers in management and coaching, she returned to school to research the mental health promotion possibilities of community-based equine programming. She is currently completing a post-PhD Master’s in Counselling Psychology with the goal of incorporating equine, dog and nature therapy into a psychotherapy practice. Further information about Heather, as well as a link to download the 4-H Resilience Research doctoral thesis is available at www.heathersansom.ca.
TransFormed: Addressing Partner Violence from Two-Spirit, Nonbinary and Trans perspectives
Tatiana Ferguson, Program Coordinator, METRAC
Details to come…
These are Horizon Days: trauma-informed theatrics examining resilience across the lifespan
Wes Ryan, BA, SSW Arts Accessibility Educator, Performer, Public Speaker
Their presentation, These Are Horizon Days: trauma-informed theatrics examining resilience across the lifespan (TAHD) is an interactive performance staged as a rehearsal wherein audiences have the opportunity to contribute creatively to the production. Attendees will learn the principals of combining trauma-informed practice and narrative approach as creative tools for building individual and community resilience. They will come to understand the key benefits and risks associated with verbatim narrative art practices for trauma survivors and develop skills to engage people in arts-based practices with an emphasis on building resiliency at different life-stages. TAHD employs dance and poetry to discuss the neurobiological impacts of repeated childhood sexual assault and the witnessing of domestic violence and invites attendees to question how we represent and use survivors’ stories in academia and the arts. By engaging the audience at various intervals to talk about self-care and social change while creating a group poem, the presentation ultimately teaches participants two community building arts exercises.
“Through our shared narratives we stitch together bits of resilience into tapestries for change.”
Wes Ryan is an award-winning performance artist who combines verbatim dance, poetry, and comedy with abstracts, statistics, and experiential knowledge. In 2007, Wes encountered a sudden attack of gravity resulting in a traumatic brain injury. Since then they have earned an SSW diploma from Fleming College and a Trent University Cultural Studies B.A. focusing on trauma-informed performance. They are currently a member of the province’s Human Trafficking Survivor’s Roundtable and the Peer Support Worker for the John Howard Society of Peterborough’s Healing From Within Program. Wes also co-facilitates Healthy Relationship workshops with Rediscovering Counselling for various autism service providers. They have presented at the Autism Ontario Conference and Trent’s Sexual Consent Conference (among others) and currently uses his ODSP cheque as a perpetual art grant to host free integrated and inclusive dance workshops.
12:15 p.m. – Lunch and Poster Exhibition, Experiential Opportunity: Mood Walks, Therapy Dogs
1:30 p.m. – Closing Plenary:
Nurturing Community Resilience: Strategies to Build Social Cohesion and Community Engagement
Michael Ungar,
Throughout this fast-paced, story-filled presentation,
3:00 p.m. – Networking Break and Poster Exhibition
3:20 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Panel Discussion
5:00 p.m. – Day 2 Adjourns
About
Dr. Katia Keefer, Conference Chair; Lead Researcher, Building Internal Resilience Through Horses; Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Trent University: As an emerging scholar,
About
About
