Trauma-Informed Approach to Treatment: Creating Spaces to Pause, Connect, and Heal

3-Hour Professional Development Workshop

Recognizing Hidden Hurts: Creating Spaces to Pause Together is an interactive three-hour workshop designed for social workers and community partners. The program introduces participants to a trauma-informed approach grounded in the Living in the PAUSE philosophy: Learning to Practice the PAUSE—Authentic, Unapologetic, Self-Evolution.

Trauma is not always visible or openly expressed. Individuals may carry emotional pain, stress, fear, grief, loss, and other experiences that influence how they communicate, build relationships, respond to services, and engage with helping professionals. This workshop explores how professionals and community may recognize these “hidden hurts” while creating environments that promote safety, trust, dignity, choice, and connection.

Participants will explore the impact of trauma on the mind, body, relationships, and behavior and consider how trauma may present across clinical, community, educational, healthcare, and other service settings. Through discussion, reflection, experiential activities, and intentional listening exercises, participants will practice slowing down, becoming curious rather than making assumptions, recognizing signs of distress, and responding in ways that support psychological safety.

Consistent with the LTP approach, PAUSE is not simply about stopping—it is about creating intentional space to notice, understand, respond, and move forward. Participants will examine how practicing the PAUSE can strengthen professional relationships, support compassionate interactions, and create opportunities for individuals and communities to feel heard, respected, and understood.

The workshop will be interactive and focused on skill development, concluding with an exploration of how trauma-informed principles can be integrated into everyday professional practice, including communication, boundaries, collaboration, and client engagement. Participants will consider practical strategies for creating safe, supportive spaces where individuals can pause, reflect, share their experiences, and actively participate in their own healing and growth.

Location (in-person): 2483 S Linden Rd, Suite 130B, Flint, MI 48532