Professional Trainings
Prior to Covid, I delivered professional trauma-informed continuing ed trainings for healthcare professionals, providers and lay health people (doulas) centered on how past sexual trauma impacts people in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.
My two most popular talks, available as webinars, are here.
When Breast Isn’t Best is a 60 minute talk that I have presented for organizations like La Leche League, GOLD Lactation, the ICEA, DONA and at The Art of Breastfeeding Conference. There is nothing else like it out there. Real science, memorable stories and concrete practices that you can take use right away with your clients or patients.
"Spoke to my heart as a woman, survivor, nurse, breastfeeding educator, LLL leader, mother and grandmother! Rarely do I feel so excited about something that I have learned and know I can immediately improve my practice! Thank you."
-GOLD Lactation 2019 attendee
Objectives:
Identify the facts of sexual trauma including prevalence of trauma and risk factors for abuse;
Understand how (and why) sexual abuse can impact ability and desire to breastfeed including “red flags”;
Define a trauma-informed approach and understand how it relates to supporting new families who want to breastfeed.
"Thank you so much for your thought-provoking, extremely insightful and helpful presentation. I'm an abuse survivor but until now, have lacked the insight and tools as a lactation professional to be able to provide trauma informed care to my families. You've given me several different tools and approaches to try - thank you! Your presentation has been one of my favorites (and the most helpful) of GOLD so far." - Anonymous participant GOLD Lactation, IBCLC
I have been trained and am certified by Penny Simkin and Phyllis Klaus, authors of the book When Survivors Give Birth, to deliver programs using this name. In addition I have also been trained as a childbirth educator through Lamaze and a postpartum doula through DONA. This training is the 60 minute version that I’ve done as a keynote, breakout session and workshop for professionals who work with pregnant people. My trainings are trauma-informed and LGBTQ+ affirming.
"The information was very relevant to the (doula) work that I do and the inclusiveness of the teaching made the program a safe place to be. I liked very much how personalized this was!"
- Gloria Maria Llanser CD (DONA), PCD (CAPPA)
The objectives of this talk are as follows:
Objective 1: Understand the facts of abuse including prevalence and risk factors;
Objective 2: Learn how and why a patient’s trauma history can surface during the vulnerable time of childbirth by recognizing relevant red flags;
Objective 3: Define a trauma-informed approach and identify appropriate strategies to more sensitively and effectively support patients.
"Elizabeth is a dynamic teacher and her teachings are so important for us to understand as doulas and birth workers. What really surprised me was learning the underlying hidden impact of sexual abuse and how it is expressed. I am so grateful that Elizabeth has given me the tools to become a more insightful and compassionate doula." - Kallyn Boerner, CD, PCD
Past clients include: GOLD Learning, Granville Vance Health Department, La Leche League, DONA, Nurse Family Partnership - Greensboro and Duke University School of Medicine.
“Our obstetrics and gynecology department at Duke was very fortunate to invite Elizabeth to give a talk regarding trauma-informed care. As health care providers, having the knowledge of how to navigate these past experiences and give our patients the kindest care possible is so important. Elizabeth started this conversation and gave us practical tools and advice to improve the care we provide, knowing that everyone has experienced some degree of trauma. Her talks are engaging and insightful and she has unique training that will improve the patient experience. Our audience was grateful for her thoughtful talk and expertise.”