Triggers and Boundary Crossings

When we work with other human beings, it is inevitable that we will be triggered at one time or another. A trigger has been likened to “emotional shrapnel,” and can serve as a guidepost to what still needs healing within us. They are our personal “check engine light.” Being triggered also leaves us more vulnerable to crossing professional boundaries. It is important for helping professionals to recognize when they are being triggered in order to be effective in the therapeutic relationship with clients and to become clear when self-care is required. This webinar will review how triggers are activated and why, will provide a list of somatic clues that will help to identify when we are being triggered and a set of resources to use when we have identified we are triggered to ensure that we stay attuned to our clients. Participants will be given the opportunity to practice some of these techniques. A discussion of common boundary crossings and techniques to stay in boundaries will also be included.

*This webinar does not qualify for NBCC clock hours in ethics for Licensed Professional Counselors.

Fee: $60.00
Continuing Ed. Hours (CEH): 3.00 Ethical

Click Here to Enroll

Instructor: Lori Schlosser, PhD, MSW Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Time: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm ET Location: Zoom (Interactive Webinar) Online Live Webinar, Online, NJ

Webinar Objectives

At the conclusion of the webinar, participants will be able to:
• Define what a trigger is in a therapeutic context
• Describe how triggers are activated and identify situations that provoke triggers
• Explain how being triggered can affect the therapeutic relationship and the well-being of the practitioner
• Practice techniques to reduce the effects of triggers
• Describe the importance of professional boundaries and the various complicating issues regarding boundaries and social work practice
• Identify situations that are high risk for crossing boundaries
• List indicators that identify that boundaries are becoming blurred

Webinar Outline

9:30 am Welcome/Introduction/Overview
11:15 am Presentation
• Understanding triggers, how they are activated and common situations when practitioners are triggered
• Checking in with the body: clues that help us identify when we are triggered
• The Effects of being triggered on the therapeutic relationship and techniques to use when triggered
• Experiential practices of techniques
12:00 pm Discussion of Professional Boundaries and Types of Boundary Crossings: Sharing our Own Experiences
12:20 pm Conclusion/Q&A

Target Audience

Social Workers and Allied Health Professionals

Content Level

Beginner - Advanced

Webinar Completion Requirements

To earn CE credit, social workers must log in at the scheduled time, attend the entire course and complete an online course evaluation. Certificates of completion will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.

System Requirements

• Operating Systems: Windows XP or higher, MacOS 9 or higher, Android 4.0 or higher
• Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 9.0 or higher, Google Chrome, Firefox 10.0 or higher
• Broadband Internet connection: Cable, High-speed DSL & any other medium that is internet accessible.

About the Instructor

Lori R. Schlosser, PhD, MSW, has over 25 years of administrative and policy related experience in the public mental health field. In 2008, she retired from the position of Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of State Hospital Management in the NJ Division of Mental Health Services. During her years in the Division of Mental Health Services, Lori was intimately involved in the areas of quality improvement, program evaluation, risk management, supervision, and team building. Since 2008, Dr. Schlosser has created and conducted a variety of lively, experiential continuing education programs for helping professionals for many human service organizations. Lori has a doctorate and Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University. She is a part-time lecturer at the Rutgers School of Social Work, teaching courses in mental health policy, health care and aging and social welfare policy. Dr. Schlosser has a certificate of specialization in gerontology and special expertise in wellness, recovery, self-care and resilience. She is a Certified Rubenfeld Synergist, owner of Touch Talk Transform LLC.