Wellness Initiatives

A trauma-informed wellness unit is a peer-to-peer support program established within organizations whose employees work in trauma-impacted environments. Led by a qualified wellness director, the unit builds comprehensive wellness initiatives and trains a dedicated peer support team to recognize distress signals in colleagues. These peer supporters provide confidential psychological triage and facilitate appropriate referrals to professional therapists when necessary. What distinguishes this as "trauma-informed" is the year-long specialized training team members undergo, covering the neurobiological impacts of pain, stress, and trauma; effective regulation techniques; and the implementation of standard operating procedures designed to minimize trauma exposure. By equipping the unit to address psychological needs promptly and effectively, the program aims to diffuse trauma impact in real-time, potentially reducing the long-term need for extensive trauma care services.

The Wellness Unit/Peer to Peer Support Certification provides participants with essential knowledge and practical skills to effectively support others while maintaining their own well-being. The training explores the impact of trauma on the nervous system, helps participants distinguish between healthy and unhealthy helping, and fosters self-awareness to ensure safety in their roles. It also covers suicide intervention techniques and includes an orientation to the wellness unit’s structure, focusing on confidentiality and safe operation within the system. Using both didactic and experiential learning methods, the training incorporates visuals and practical exercises to ensure participants can apply what they’ve learned directly in their workplace, creating lasting impact. The training is offered over 2 days.

We believe that one-on-one consultation with a trauma specialist may be one of the most important services we offer. During this time, a Gap Relief consultant will meet with the leader regularly– continually assessing the operations and well-being of your organization. We will work together to identify gaps in functioning and develop strategic plans to address these areas, while simultaneously strengthening leadership capacity and prioritizing the leader’s well-being. The consultant will work closely with the leader to integrate trauma-informed practices throughout the organization, fostering a healthier, more resilient environment for all involved. Additionally, support will be provided in developing and advocating for trauma-informed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure best practices are in place to mitigate the systemic impacts of stress and trauma across teams. Ongoing executive and administrative consultation will offer a dedicated space to engage in real-time challenges, helping leaders incorporate new trauma-informed strategies and lead from a place of resilience.

The Debriefer Certification is a 24-hour training offered over 2.5 days. This training equips participants with trauma-informed debriefing skills, focusing on supporting regulation systems and addressing post-critical incident trauma. The training emphasizes safe listening, recognizing when to refer individuals for additional support, and normalizing trauma responses while maintaining safety for both participants and debriefers. It is important to note that this certification is limited to the organization and is not nationally recognized.

The two-day Trauma Informed Trainer training is designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to lead any training sessions in a trauma informed manner. It will focus on trainers understanding and regulating their own nervous systems, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in creating a safe and supportive environment. Participants will learn how to recognize and respond to stress and trauma responses in others, ensuring they foster safety throughout the training process. Participants will receive instruction on how to effectively deliver the following two trainings. By the end, the goal is to certify participants as trainers in these models so your organization can be self sustaining.