Introduction to CE-CERT: Skills for Reducing Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress

Ms. Lauren Garder is very familiar with the stressors inherent in abuse-prevention work. Drawing on her experience in domestic violence and fatality review, she offers this introduction to CE-CERT out of a continuing commitment to supporting the wellbeing of professionals in this field.

CE-CERT (Components for Enhancing Career Experience and Reducing Trauma) was originally developed by Brian C. Miller, PhD. It provides a framework of concrete skills and practices designed to reduce job-related stress and enhance the satisfaction of helping work. The goal of CE-CERT is not merely to survive one’s vocation, but to find it deeply rewarding and sustainable.

Trauma-Informed Care for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Trauma-specific treatments for experiences such as domestic violence are often conflated with trauma-informed care, though they are distinct. Trauma-informed care is not a specific service, treatment model, or protocol; rather, it is an overarching approach to understanding and supporting others. Lauren Garder developed this training to help professionals understand how trauma and adversity shape how we think, communicate, and engage with survivors.

Our Safe Haven: Advancing Allyship and Support Services for People with Marginalized Sexual Orientation and/or Gender Identity (MOGI)

We invite those supporting MOGI-diverse individuals and members of their communities to join us for this series of professional dialogues moderated by Jimmy Widdifield, Jr., and David Prescott. Created to foster meaningful and respectful conversations, these sessions provide a space for professionals to openly explore the challenges faced by individuals with diverse MOGIE. Through shared experiences, expert insights, and practical guidance, attendees will gain strategies to strengthen advocacy, promote inclusive practices, and build effective allyship—helping to foster environments where all people can live authentically and thrive.

Navigating the Darker Elements of the Manosphere: Helping Young Men to Be “Good Dudes”

Dr. Alex Rodrigues developed this training to help professionals understand the manosphere and support clients exposed to its damaging narratives. Through an overview of key figures, historical context, and underlying psychological drivers, Dr. Rodrigues explores why young men are drawn to these online spaces and how these beliefs take hold. The training concludes with evidence-based strategies for fostering healthier conceptions of masculinity, centered on accountability, empathy, emotional expression, and respect across all genders.

Building Healthier Workplace Cultures Through Empathic Leadership

Empathic workplace leadership is fundamental to effective treatment and supervision, especially when the work can cause trauma in the professionals doing that work. When staff work in high-pressure environments, a leadership approach grounded in empathy can inspire professionals to be their best. However, the results of a recent Safer Society survey on workplace stressors and motivators highlight a critical issue: professionals working to prevent abuse often view management as a greater source of stress than of support.

Presenters Anette Birgersson and Christin Santiago—professionals with extensive experience in all aspects of leadership—developed this training to address this challenge directly. Their work underscores that empathic, trauma-informed leadership is essential not only for supporting professionals but also for enhancing staff retention, building trust and resilience throughout an organization, and delivering consistent, effective services to clients.

Working with Adult Men Involved in Domestic Sex Trafficking: Practical Guidance for Assessment, Treatment, and Management

Katie Gotch developed this training to provide an overview of human trafficking and the elements of trafficking, a comprehensive overview of the current research, and practical knowledge about adult men convicted of sex trafficking crimes in the United States, and to provide guidance and strategies for assessing, treating, and managing of adult men involved in domestic sex trafficking.

Ms. Gotch also reviews relevant topics such as the cultural/historical context of sex trafficking, psychopathy, and emphasizes trauma-informed approaches in assessment, treatment, and supervision.