NSCSW Workshop: Trauma & social justice informed anger management

This course is designed to help persons looking to link their client's experiences of trauma, and oppression, as well as their mental health challenges, to the larger social and political forces at play in their behavioural responses. We will explore how clients' unique identities (shaped by factors such as race, class, gender and ability) influence their experiences and expression of trauma and anger. All too often, both in public systems, private practice and non-profit agencies, service providers feel they have to choose between the individual's experience of suffering, or the political and social context in which that individual experience is located. Particularly in regarding anger behaviours which can be self-defeating or anti-social, we struggle with how to apply intersectionality in practice.

This workshop will suggest a methodology and conceptual framework suitable for intervention with persons exhibiting a wide variety of both victim and perpetrator behaviours – that is, clients who have been harmed and have also harmed others – and who have externalized and internalized their anger in ineffective ways. Through the analysis and techniques that will be presented, participants will gain skill and ideas to challenge their clients, support their clients and encourage both agency and accountability. Those who have worked especially with persons who have personality disorders, or come through child protection, addiction or mandated systems, recognize the challenge in trying to empower and critique at the same time, while avoiding compartmentalization. These issues are difficult with both adult and adolescent populations.

Testimonials

"Jackie brought a unique perspective on anger that our staff found incredibly useful. Framing anger as a response to personal and structural failings offered clinicians a way to navigate the delicate balance between acknowledging victimization and co-signing harmful behaviours. The workshop would be powerful for anyone working in mainstream intimate partner violence intervention, child welfare, or other forensic settings where intersecting oppressions are experienced."
People's Counseling Clinic Director: James Dube

"Jacqueline's workshop with us on anger management was transformational. I really appreciated her methodology-her blending of academic rigour with practical, real-world experience was particularly effective for someone who is new to this type of work. It is clear that she has been working in this space for a long time and has given her topic a lot of thoughtful consideration. In addition, she is an excellent communicator-her combination of humour and insight kept us deeply engaged throughout."
Shelter Nova Scotia: Chris Cotton

Format

The workshop will be delivered in person, for 6.5 hours. It will involve presentation of the history, context and conceptual framework guiding the process. This will be followed by detailed explanation of each of the six tools.

There will be discussion, practice, role play, feedback and demonstration of the positive engagement of clients in moving through the steps, as well as the challenges and resistance that can be anticipated.

As well, there will be discussion of radical questioning, humility and engagement of the intellect and experience of clients who often see themselves only in their emotions, or whose experiences have led them to lack confidence in their ideas because they lack formal education.

Participants are asked to attend with readiness to engage actively, with authentic use of self, humour, and encouraged to both give and receive feedback with respect and kindness.

Venue

Accessibility

The North End Memorial Library is accessible to people using wheelchairs and mobility devices. If you have specific accessibility/accommodation concerns not covered here, please contact us as soon as possible.

Parking

There is limited parking at the Halifax North Memorial Public Library, but there are a number of on-street and for-pay parking sites in the nearby area. Attendees are encouraged to review central Halifax parking options prior to the day of the event.

Transit

There is a bus stop in front of the library on Gottingen St that serves many routes. If disembarking from a bus on Barrington St instead, please check the weather and be prepared for a walk uphill.

Eligibility

Seats in this workshop are reserved for members of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) until May 26. All active, associate, retired associate, and student members are encouraged to attend; our professional development programming is part of our member services funded by annual registration fees. There are no other prerequisites for this session.

If any seats are still available at noon on May 26, sales will open to non-members. The content may be helpful for allied professionals in many practice contexts.

Learning objectives

The primary goal is to teach service providers a six-part process suitable for use in group or individual interventions to address problematic anger. This will include not only addressing externalized anger, but also passivity and difficulty expressing anger.

Both the why and how of anger will be examined in detail, and be located in a social, historical, cultural and intersectional analysis of oppression and trauma.

We will discuss methods of breaking down the isolation and medicalization which often accompany anger management strategies.

Upon completion of the day-long presentation, participants will have tools to utilize the methodology and techniques in their own practice settings with a wide variety of populations.

Facilitator

Jacqueline (Jackie) Barkley, MSW, RSW is a social worker with over 40 years experience in a variety of social work and community organizing areas. She has worked in non-profit agencies, in child welfare, on the IWK Child Abuse Team, on the IWK Mental Health Crisis Team, at Choices Adolescent Treatment Program, at the Nova Scotia Hospital and on the Geriatric Assessment Unit. Jackie has provided clinical therapy to a wide range of client populations, including for child protection clients, persons involved with Victim Services, conducted Parental Capacity Assessments and assessments for Family Court, and with members of the Canadian Armed Forces. She has supervised work placements for both BSW and MSW students, as well as completed supervision for NSCSW candidates. Jackie has also been asked to provide expert testimony in family court proceedings.

Over the course of her career Jackie has been involved in a number of community based voluntary organizations. She was a founding member of the Children's Cooperative Day Care, the 17 year advocacy group the Metro Coalition for a Non Racist Society, a member of Housing for People Coalition, a founding member of Solidarity Kjipuktuk (Halifax), a founding member of the Child Welfare Advocacy Coalition, and a founding member of the a capella singing group Four the Moment. She also volunteered with the Friends of Dalhousie Legal Aid, the Community Justice Society, and the Model School Committee.

Jackie has written and lectured widely on issues of racism and white supremacy, contemporary parenting, anger management, and the important relationship between activist solidarity and clinical practice. She has presented at clinical and educational rounds at the IWK and Nova Scotia Hospitals, and has been a frequent guest speaker to classes at the Dalhousie School of Social Work, the Dalhousie Department of Psychology and Schulich School of Law, in numerous high schools, as well as a guest speaker for the National Institute for Forensic Social Work and the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. In 2014 she was awarded the Ronald Stratford Memorial Award for “outstanding contribution to the field of social service in Nova Scotia.”

Professional development tracking

Members of NSCSW, may choose to track this as formal professional development, and use the registration confirmation email or PDF ticket as a verification document. Members are also welcome to break the content of this event up into separate PD activity subcategories such as the mandated topics of social justice and the prevention of vicarious trauma and secondary stress.

Visit nscsw.org/pd for more information about the updated professional development requirements for Nova Scotia social workers.