ACCIDENTAL COUNSELLOR

Many people find it difficult to engage with a family member, friend or colleague who is going through a crisis due to mental health, domestic violence, drug and alcohol or other issues.

This comprehensive program will give participants the confidence and the skills necessary to support someone in their moment of need, and to be able to refer them to the most appropriate support.
The workshop focuses on the basic skills required to support an individual experiencing, or affected by, domestic violence, substance abuse, anger, suicide or other mental health concerns.

Is this training for you:

Whether your main interactions are with colleagues or students, family or friends, it is likely that you will come across others who are struggling with one of the many challenges that people face in life. One in 5 Australians each year will be diagnosed with a mental illness and the statistics surrounding domestic and family violence are such that this issue is may be viewed as a national emergency. No matter what is at the heart of another person’s struggles, often we are at a loss as to know how to respond and how to engage with that person in a way that is compassionate and appropriate, respectful and empowering, without violating boundaries and potentially creating additional stress. This training is aimed at Raising Awareness, Reducing Stigma and Increasing Safety.

Accidental Counselling Skills:

You will learn how to Recognise when another person is in crisis, how to Respond in an appropriate, compassionate and empowering way and how to Refer for ongoing support. You will NOT be expected to be a counsellor, but instead will be equipped with:

a model within which to respond,
a framework for difficult conversations, and
the specific conversational micro skills that are most effective

In addition, we discuss;

various causes of crisis including Mental Illness and Domestic Violence
boundaries – of your response, organisational and personal
Suicide – how to ask, what to do, and
Self-Care

Topics

causes of a crisis
a model within which to respond,
a framework for difficult conversations, and
the specific conversational micro skills that are most effective
self care

Member Testimonials

"I have learnt how to support someone in crisis, gained skills to maintain boundaries, be-non judgemental and ask the hard questions."
"Cutty was very engaging, she used examples that can be applied in the workplace to help me to help others."
"Very worthwhile training that is useful for everyone particularly those that deal with students."

Who should attend?

Recommended for all university staff who; find themselves as ‘a counsellor by chance’ including: People managers and leaders, student facing staff. Human resources staff

Times

Face to Face - 9.30 am to 1.30 pm

Zoom Virtual Workshop - 11.00 am to 3.00 pm AEST

Please note on registering you will receive a confirmation of registration email. Approximately 48 hours prior to the training you will receive another email including Zoom access details and participant workbook (pdf).

Facilitator

Cutty Felton is the Corporate and Community Training Manager for Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury (H2H). By profession, Cutty is a qualified Solicitor and practised for approximately ten years. Over time, however, she felt the need to contribute more directly to the community. In 2013 she joined Lifeline, initially as a trained volunteer Telephone Crisis Supporter (TCS) on Lifeline’s 13 11 14 service, and subsequently as a trainer of student TCSs and as a Corporate and Community trainer. She continues to volunteer on the 13 11 14 crisis line. She delivers various skills-based courses to workplace and community groups, large and small, across Australia including: ‘Accidental Counsellor’, ‘DV-Alert’, ‘DV Aware’, ‘Skills Based DFV Awareness’ and ‘Dare to Ask’.

Cutty developed Lifeline H2H’s highly acclaimed version of Accidental Counsellor - including a unique ‘5 E’s framework’ for difficult conversations - and recently produced and launched a new suicide-specific program, 'Dare To Ask'.

Cutty’s overarching goal is to raise awareness, reduce stigma and increase safety around issues impacting communities, such as Domestic Violence, Mental Illness and Suicide. She is a firm believer that awareness should be underpinned by skills, and the training conducted is specifically aimed at equipping participants with the ability to respond to someone in crisis in a way that is appropriate, compassionate, respectful and empowering, whilst always being within clearly defined boundaries.

Cutty also regularly addresses larger audiences as a keynote speaker and has been privileged to deliver training workshops and briefings to staff at the House of Representatives in Canberra.

Investment

Member - $145 excl GST

Non Member - $290 excl GST

AHEIA is pleased to provide this training to members at a substantially discounted rate supporting Australians experiencing mental health concerns.

Times

Face to Face - 9.30 am to 1.30 pm

Virtual - 11.00 am to 3.00 pm (AEST)

Like to know more

Contact Annemarie Comerford, Training Administrator, direct (03) 8611 0504 email; training@aheia.edu.au