Trauma- and Violence-Informed Approaches to Completing Mental Health Assessments- GAD-7 and CSSRs

Name: Trauma- and Violence-Informed Approaches to Completing Mental Health Assessments- GAD-7 and CSSRs
Start: 2025-02-12T09:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-02-12T10:30:00-05:00

This is an archive of a past event.

In this session, the use of trauma- and violence-informed (TVIC) principles will be discussed in the administration of mental health assessment tools, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Scale and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Practical guidance will be provided as to how to introduce the tools to clients, how to explain the purpose of the questions, and how to discuss their findings. Strategies as to how to address situations where there may be a stressful or traumatic response during these assessments will be discussed. Finally, tips as to how to engage in these discussions while prioritizing emotional safety and fostering a therapeutic relationship will be shared.

By the end of this event, participants will be able to:

Discuss the use of trauma- and violence-informed (TVIC) principles in the administration of mental health assessment tools, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Scale and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).
Review strategies to introduce these tools to clients, explain their purpose and discuss their findings.
Explore ways to engage in these discussions while prioritizing emotional safety and fostering a therapeutic relationship

Presenter(s)

Jennifer Olarte-Godoy is a Nurse Educator for the Mental Health and Addictions Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and an Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University (Adjunct). Jennifer holds a Masters of Nursing Degree from the University of Toronto with a specialization in Addiction Studies. Jennifer has been a mental health nurse for the past 14 years and has clinical experience in psychiatric emergency services, acute psychiatry, and mood disorders.