Ten Things Your Child Wants You to Know Podcast
Episode Eight – Ten Things Your Child with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Wants You to Know
Children and youth who have been affected by prenatal alcohol exposure may have a variety of special needs. We believe these needs can all still be seen through an attachment lens. Join Laurie and Dr. Sayma Malik as they explore how caregivers can best support children with FASD.
Episode Seven – Ten Things Your Foster Child Wants You to Know
If you’re a foster parent, a child or youth care worker in a residential facility for children in care, or a kinship parent, this episode is specifically for you. Although we know that all children have the same basic needs – the need for connection especially – we know that being a child who has been separated from their family creates some special and complicated additional needs. Tune in as Laurie and Dr. Malik discuss some of those important special needs.
Episode Six – Ten Important Things to Know when You’re a Separated Parent
If you’ve joined the ranks of the many Canadian families who have become separated, this episode is a must-listen. Laurie and Dr. Malik have a sensitive discussion about the many challenges facing separated parents, and try to help those parents see their new world from their child’s perspective.
Episode Five – Ten Things Your Teenager Wants You to Know
This is it – adolescence, the developmental stage that sometimes scares and stymies us. Listen in as Laurie and Dr. Malik discuss the challenges and the joys of parenting a teen. Surprise! They need the exact same things from you that they needed as a baby – connection, and support as they explore this complicated world.
Episode Four – Ten Things You School-Aged Child Wants You to Know
That kid of yours is getting bigger, but from an attachment perspective their needs are the same. Join host Laurie McPherson and Dr. Malik as they discuss what your child needs you to know at this critical stage of development.
Episode Three – Ten Things Your Toddler Wants You to Know
Yikes! Now you’re walking and running and getting into everything! Laurie and Dr. Malik translate your toddler’s advice about what they need at this stage in order to keep growing and learning and having fun while staying safe.
Episode Two – Ten Things Your Baby Wants You to Know
Host Laurie McPherson and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Sayma Malik have an in-depth discussion about what babies need from their caregivers in order to thrive and feel secure. Spoiler alert – they don’t need ‘perfect’ parents!
In this first episode, host Laurie McPherson talks with Joanne Brown and Leslie Johnston, co-chairs of the Attachment Network of Manitoba. If you’re not familiar with the concept of Attachment, or with the Attachment Network itself, this episode will give you a good basic understanding of both, as preparation for the rest of the episodes. We start right from the ground up, with Laurie’s first question, “What is attachment?”
Lunch & Learn Series
Join Billy Brodovsky and Kate Kiernan, authors of the book “Big Feelings Come and Go” as they reflect on why and how they came to write the book. They will also talk about ways that you might use the book with the children. Big Feelings Come and Go is available in English, French, Cree, Ojibwe, Arabic, Swahili, Swedish, Finnish, Tigrinya, Estonian, Kinyarwanda, Ukrainian, ASL, and Russian. The book is a resource to help families and caregivers have conversations with kids about freeze, flight, and fight and learn some basic self- regulation skills. Understanding freeze, flight, and fight can allow for new conversations about how your child feels and what to do to help them manage their big feelings. At www.protectchildren.ca you can download the FREE PDF of the book in all languages or order a printed copy of Big Feelings Come and Go in English or French for $9.95 (free shipping).
Billy Brodovsky, M.S.W. & Kate Kiernan, M.Sc., each have over 30 years’ experience working with children, youth and adults who have experienced trauma. They are the creators of the Making Sense of Trauma Workshop and Webinar for New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families. They are the authors of Big Feelings Come and Go created in collaboration with The Canadian Center for Child Protections. Billy and Kate both worked for many years as Clinicians at the Families Affected by Sexual Assault Program Winnipeg. They both provide consultation to individuals in private practice and to community agencies. Billy is currently in private practice.
Inviting Sustainable Change in Communities
On Wednesday, March 8, we collaborated with the Attachment Networks of Connecticut and North Carolina to hear Laura Porter of Washington State present on her work with the Self-Healing Communities Model. Laura has been part of an initiative in Washington to look at the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) not just on people but on their communities throughout the state. This has significant relevance for us in Manitoba, if not all of Canada, as we have struggled with disconnection brought on through the pandemic, exacerbated by a profound rise in addictions, opiod death, unsheltered citizens, and people unable to access services despite their tremendous need. Let’s participate in the dialogue to create a societal solution to the crisis of disconnection.
The Attachment Networks Of Connecticut, Manitoba, and North Carolina are proud to offer the follow program for the No One Eats Alone lunchtime series:
Inviting Sustainable Change in Communities
Presented by Laura Porter, ACE Interface
Dr. Amy Wendell is a registered clinical psychologist who resides in Inglis, Manitoba and operates a small private practice in Russell. A Kentucky woman, she and her MB-native-psychologist-turned beekeeper husband, along with their two boys, moved to the prairies in 2016 to pursue her husband’s dream of being a third generation honey farmer. This was a huge transition for Amy, who spent the majority of her life in the city of Louisville, KY and is very close with her family, friends and colleagues down there. But through lots of self reflection, her own personal therapy, and the support of loved ones, she made the leap and has come to settle into this part of the world where she has created a meaningful life, with work that feels very fulfilling.
Amy earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from Spalding University in Louisville, KY in 2005. She completed her internship and post-doctoral training in Bozeman, Montana at MSU’s Counselling Centre. Amy then served as the Assistant Director of Bellarmine University’s Counselling Centre from 2007-2016, where she oversaw the doctoral training of graduate-level practicum therapists, provided individual, couples, and group counselling, as well as crisis intervention and outreach services. Upon moving to Manitoba, she took several years to be home with her children, build a sense of community and connection, and then opened her private practice in 2019. She has since supervised two practicum therapists who have now gone on to open their own private practices in rural MB, and she is currently supervising her third practicum therapist. She finds this role to be rewarding and deeply meaningful.
In terms of therapy services, Amy provides individual therapy to adult clients, and also runs a Coping Skills Group (informed by DBT). She works with a broad range of presenting issues including mood and anxiety disorders (including perinatal difficulties), relationship and identity struggles, adjustment, attachment disorders, and trauma-related disorders. She uses a variety of therapeutic modalities including EMDR, interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic, CBT, motivational interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, person-centered therapy, DBT, and Internal Family Systems. Amy believes strongly in the power of the therapeutic alliance, and strives to create a sense of safety, connection and understanding for her clients so that they may gain greater self-awareness, self-compassion, learn tools to cope effectively and create a life that is meaningful and fulfilling.
Toward a Pedagogy of Belonging
Michael McKnight talks about the importance of building relationships with students in schools, the true meaning of a trauma-informed school, and the reminder that curriculum will not ever be absorbed unless connection and calm have been established.
Michael worked for the New Jersey Department of Education in the Cape May County office of education for 17 years. In those years he served as a resource for school districts in the county as well as throughout southern New Jersey. Beyond the work of the department of education he provided training to educators, parents, community members and school leaders. Prior to joining the department of education Michael had 24 years of experience working in schools. He was a special education teacher for 14 years working and learning with emotionally and behaviourally troubled adolescents. Michael also was an administrator at Atlantic County Special Services School District for 10 years and was responsible for the programming for troubled students, ages 5 through 21 years, removed from the local school district. Michael has a passion for creating and supporting Reclaiming Environments for “at-risk” children and youth as well as the adults who serve them. He currently provides professional development to practicing educators. He also is an adjunct instructor at Stockton University where he gets to teach and learn with future educators. He views himself not as an expert, but as a learner and a teacher who has always enjoyed building strength-based cultures with others.
This session will focus on the current state of children and youth in both Canada and the United States. We will be touching on topics that include adversity and trauma in our young and what that presents as in schools and classrooms. We will also touch on what we know about how the brain learns best and resiliency. We will then explore current best practice for schools that are moving toward becoming trauma responsive. It is important to note that those practices are positive for all kids.
The Impacts of Immigration and Re-settlement on Attachment
Heather Robertson is the Director of Mental Health Services at Aurora Family Therapy Centre and oversees the delivery of clinical services to a diverse range of individuals, couples and families across Manitoba. She has over 15 years of experience in the settlement sector including program development and delivery, psychosocial support, mental health, advocacy and clinical services. Heather believes strongly in the power of safe and genuine connections and works from a trauma-informed and attachment lens. She also runs a small private practice and aims to help build resilient individuals, families and communities. Heather completed her Bachelor of Social Work (2005) at University of Manitoba and her Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy (2018) at the University of Winnipeg. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
10 Things Your Child Wants you to Know Podcast
We are very excited to have with us that day Laurie McPherson, long time member of the Network and Dr. Sayma Malik, a local child psychologist. Together, they have been busy all summer creating a series of podcasts based on the 10Things Brochure series we created over the years.
Traditional Ways of Family Attachment with Dr. Jann Derrick
Jann trained first as a teacher then as a Counselling Psychologist with a specialty in Relationship and Family Therapy. She is a Registered Family Therapist and Supervisor in the Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, as well as a member of the Canadian Psychological Association. Jann is of Haudensaunee/Mohawk, Irish and English heritage. She is the mother of three children and the Dotah/grandmother of nine.
Raven and Ivana are relatives who share 30+ years of specialized services in working with children, youth, and families. Our collective work history ranges from program development and implementation (youth leadership and mentorship programming, etc.) employee training and work-shop(s) development and facilitation, case management (child welfare, social services, front-line), group and individual counselling, and more. Our work is applied through Indigenous frameworks, ceremonies and ways of knowing and care. Miteh atôskê was created to further our “heart work” to children, youth, and families; specifically towards young indigenous women and girls in care.
Where’s Dad? Working with High Risk Fathers in Treatment with Dr. Carla Stover
Dr. Carla Stover presents on a fathering program for men involved with intimate partner violence, which includes concepts from Circle of Security, and when appropriate, involves their partners
Holding the Line (HTL) with Michelle MacIsaac
Michelle MacIsaac MSW, RSW from CLANNAD Counseling and Consulting INC discusses Holding the Line (HTL) model. HTL is a model for change and healing in our organizations. HTL was created from Michelles own experience as a Social Work Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), her experience and work with Circle of Security and, most recently her training in Somatic Experiencing. During the podcast Michelle explores a new way to think about our work environment, some simple and key components that can change, and consider your potential contribution in leading change within your own organization.
Reframing Addiction: The Crisis of Disconnection
This podcast series explores addiction through the lens of trauma, disconnection and healing. As our communities have become more and more disconnected from healthy relationships with family, friends, and community itself, addictions too have become more widespread in our communities.
We define trauma here, as the lack of safety, connection and healthy relationships. The crisis of disconnection is a trauma that we are facing in our communities, families and friendships.
We will be exploring how the trauma of disconnection impacts addictions.
How can we reconnect in ways to assist those individuals, families and communities struggling with addictions?
Episode One: Michael Redhead Champagne is joined by Marion Cooper (RSW) to discuss The Crisis of Disconnection.
Marion Cooper is Chief Executive Officer of CMHA for Manitoba and Winnipeg. Marion also served as the Executive Lead for Strategic Partnerships with CMHA National supporting partnerships with Indigenous organizations and communities from January 2018 -2020. She is a clinical social worker and mental health and addictions leader who has worked in the community sector in various positions since 1992. She was instrumental in establishing the mental health promotion and prevention team at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority from 2003 till 2014. Marion is passionate about recovery, system transformation and innovation to advance mental health and well-being for the entire population.
Episode Two: Michael Redhead Champagne is joined by Tim Fletcher to discuss The Crisis of Disconnection.
Tim Fletcher is President and Director of Finding Freedom, President and Founder of Tim Fletcher Co., RE/ACT and LIFT Online Learning. Pastor for 30+ years, and a counsellor at Tamarack Recovery Centre in Winnipeg for 15 years. As an addictions counsellor at Tamarack Recovery Centre in Winnipeg, he found the work of Gabor Mate which showed research stating that 97% of addicts he worked with also struggled from Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). Tim began researching C-PTSD extensively and he concluded that this was the missing link between people struggling with mental health issues and addictions and finding freedom from the effects of it. Tim began hosting Finding Freedom on Friday nights, which grew to a weekly attendance of over 1,000 people in person and online. From there, clients were searching and asking for more, so Tim developed the RE/ACT program. Today, the RE/ACT program runs in-person across Canada and online worldwide, helping those who are struggling with the consequences of Complex Trauma. Over 5 years of data shows 68% addiction recovery rates for clients who have graduated from the RE/ACT program. Finding Freedom has over 1.2 Million views collectively on YouTube. Together with his team and partners, Tim’s vision is to help shift the addiction recovery landscape by continuing to be a front runner in helping people on their journeys of Thriving Beyond Complex Trauma.
Episode Three: Michael Redhead Champagne is joined by Marion Willis to discuss The Crisis of Disconnection.
Marion Willis M.S.M. (Meritorious Service Medal) is the Founder & Executive Director of St. Boniface Street Links and its’ flagship long-term recovery program, Morberg House. 2021 recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal from the Orders Chancellery of Honours, Governor General of Canada Morberg House Recovery Program producing successful outcomes many times the national average for addictions recovery.
Episode Four: Michael Redhead Champagne is joined by Eldon Dueck to discuss The Crisis of Disconnection.
Eldon Dueck is an educator from Steinbach, Manitoba. Eldon began his teaching career in 1984, previously he worked with young people as a youth pastor. The last 13 years of Eldon’s career as an educator, he was in the role of school principal and enjoyed his work as a school leader. Eldon took it as an opportunity to influence school culture with a mindset of inclusion and deep caring for all students, especially any at-risk or marginalized students. A few years into being a school principal, he recognized the need to attain his M. Ed. to help do his work better. After retirement, Eldon has been working half-time as a teacher liaison for students with attendance issues and other complicating factors. After 41 years of working with young people, Eldon considers it a privilege to still make connections with students and build meaningful and lasting relationships. Eldon’s two favorite personal quotes are: “I will help you until you can help yourself” and “RPR – Relentless Pursuit of Relationship!”