The Institute Provides Training in Kenya
 In April, Dr. Laurie Anne Pearlman and Dr. Luann Warren-Sohlberg travelled to Nairobi to facilitate a 2 day workshop, “Understanding and Addressing Vicarious Trauma and Burnout.” Dr. Luann Warren Sohlberg (psychologist and Board Member, Headington Institute) shares her thoughts on the significance and meaning of the experience, both for her and the participants:
MY TRIP TO KENYA…
Since coming on the board of the Headington Institute, I’ve been excited about accompanying staff on a training trip to see the Institute “in action.” My opportunity arrived this spring. Mental health professionals and caregivers in Kenya had been asking for training specific to their needs. Following the post-election violence of 2008, many helpers had been suffering from burnout and vicarious trauma. Dr. Laurie Pearlman is not only the world’s expert on vicarious trauma, she is an engaging speaker, an insightful clinician, and a fantastic traveling companion.
116 psychologists, counselors, clergy, and social workers gathered for two days in Nairobi for presentations, group discussions, and networking. I loved meeting them, and was humbled by their wisdom, faith, and service. Many were working in challenging jobs, responding to needs from throughout East Africa. Laurie and I were overwhelmed by the outpouring of gratitude for the donors who made it possible for us to be there and for them to be renewed in their work. I felt proud to represent the Headington Institute, and was profoundly blessed by the experience.
- Dr. Luann Warren–Sohlberg
FEEDBACK FROM KENYA…
“The training was very helpful to me and the people that I serve. Am back ...more energetic and ready to work. I had a great opportunity to debrief, and meet more other people who assisted me to work through the burnout that I have been going through”
So Far in 2010 ...
Here’s a snapshot of where Headington staff have been and where we’re headed to next:
- Alicia and Lisa traveled to Cambodia to research a partnership initiative and provide resilience training for humanitarian workers.
- Linda and Brent traveled to Dubai in late April to debrief an international development team affected by recent bombings in Afghanistan.
- Don traveled to Jordan in late April to provide training and counseling support at a security training event.
- Brent traveled to Haiti in May to provide training and consultations for 45 managers.
- Brent, Don, and Linda will head to Guatemala in June to facilitate team meetings for a large humanitarian organization.
- Don, Brent, and Linda will take 3 additional service trips to Haiti this summer.
From the President & Founder
 People are our product. This is true in any helping profession. The effectiveness of our training, counseling, consulting, online resources, and programmatic research depends on the talent and commitment of our staff.
When humanitarian organizations sign or renew their contracts and refer partner organizations to us, it is because they respect and value someone on our team. And we do have an outstanding group of professionals here. I have great respect and affection for each one. That makes saying “good-bye” to Lisa McKay, who leaves soon for Laos, so difficult.
The impact she has had on the hundreds who have attended her training workshops, and the tens of thousands who have read her online self-care materials, is beyond our ability to measure. Lisa’s passion, talent, and commitment have set the bar high for all of us who remain at the institute. Although we will continue to recruit the finest people to be part of our team, there is only one Lisa McKay. We’re grateful for the time she invested here and wish her the very best. Jim Guy
The Institute Heads to Haiti
 Dr. Brent Stenberg recently traveled to Haiti to provide consultation and training services for 45 field managers. This trip is one of four we will be taking this summer, working to strengthen and support the staff-care initiatives of two large humanitarian organizations in the aftermath of the January earthquake. Many humanitarian staff are still grieving tremendous personal losses while simultaneously responding to needs and challenges around them.
The Headington Institute Bids Farewell to Lisa McKay
 In May, we said good-bye to Lisa McKay, Director of Training and Education Services at the Institute. Lisa will be moving to Laos with her husband Mike. During her 7 years at the Institute, Lisa greatly influenced the development and accessibility of free resources through the online training program. In addition to writing many of the online training modules, Lisa was the lead trainer for numerous workshops, participated in research projects, directed our regional training program, and initiated the CARD directory. Although we are excited about her next season in life, she will be greatly missed, both as a colleague and friend.
 Welcoming Fara Choi
In April, Ms. Fara Choi joined the Headington Institute staff team as an Administrative Assistant. Fara recently completed her MA degree at Fuller’s Graduate School of Intercultural Studies and has experience mentoring cross-cultural service teams in the Philippines.
Also in the News ...
-
This spring, Dr. Laurie Anne Pearlman presented a series of papers on trauma-related topics at professional conferences in Massachusetts, Illinois, Delaware, and Israel.
-
Dr. Don Bosch will join panelists invited by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative & the Harvard Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research in a webinar series titled: Health and Safety on Mission. The event will air online, June 23, 2010. To listen, visit http://www.hpcrresearch.org/events -
Website traffic hit a new high in March with over 37,000 visitors and over 10,000 downloads of our online training modules.
-
Coming soon...our ninth online training module: Spirituality and Humanitarian Work: Maintaining your Vitality, by Lisa McKay.
 Click here for latest Headington eNews in PDF format.
The Headington Institute ...
caring for caregivers worldwide
by providing training, counseling and consulting
The Headington Institute is a federally recognized nonprofit public charity corporation with 501.C.3 status. All contributions are fully tax deductible. Please contact us for more information on how to become a partner in this important work.
|