It is essential that practitioners and care givers have an understanding of trauma, including the body’s response to trauma, basic brain anatomy, trauma’s effects on the brain’s functions, development, behaviours. Implications of intergenerational trauma, and epigenetic’s. The neurobiology of trauma and offending behaviour, the brain and addiction, understanding suicidality, risk assessment, safety planning and intervention.

Understanding the brain mechanisms underlying addiction, including reward processing, neurotransmitter systems, and neural circuitry. Recognising the role of genetics, generational trauma, and developmental factors in predisposing individuals to addiction. Exploring the impact of trauma on brain development and functioning, including alterations in stress response systems and emotion regulation. Examining the bio-psychosocial model of addiction, which integrates biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding addictive behaviour.

Educating practitioners/caregivers on recognising signs and symptoms of trauma and abuse in youth clients, and providing guidance on appropriate interventions and referrals for support and assistance.

Exploring the relationship between psychological, social, and environmental factors contributing to suicidality. Recognising warning signs and risk factors associated with suicidal ideation and behaviours. Developing skills in suicide risk assessment and intervention, including safety planning and crisis management. Promoting empathy, compassion, and non-judgmental communication in supporting individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Understanding the brain structures and functions implicated in aggression, impulsivity, and antisocial behaviour. Examining the role of neurodevelopmental factors, such as executive functioning deficits and emotional dysregulation, in contributing to offending behaviour. Recognising the influence of environmental stressors, adverse childhood experiences, and trauma in shaping neurobiological vulnerabilities to offending. Exploring the potential for neurobiologically-informed interventions strategies in addressing offending behaviour.

Working with justice-involved youth through a trauma-informed lens requires understanding trauma's impact and diverse manifestations. Essential skills include empathy, active listening, and trauma-sensitive communication to foster trust and collaboration. Practitioners must remain flexible and committed to ongoing education to best support the unique needs of each youth.

Advocacy skills are crucial in supporting clients impacted by trauma and navigating the complexities of the justice system, ensuring their voices are heard, their rights are upheld, and they receive the support and resources needed.

Exploring the multifaceted nature of grief, encompassing emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual dimensions. Recognising the diverse manifestations of grief across cultural, social, and individual contexts. Navigating the stages of grief and mourning, acknowledging their fluidity and non-linear progression. Development of coping strategies and resilience in the face of loss, fostering adaptive grieving processes and healthy coping mechanisms.

Techniques and strategies for managing aggression and anger in a healthy and constructive manner, including anger management techniques, conflict resolution skills, and de-escalation strategies.

Practitioners can support clients in developing resilience by fostering a strengths-based approach, focusing on building self-awareness, coping strategies, and problem-solving skills. Encouraging healthy relationships, fostering a sense of purpose, and promoting self-care are also essential components. Through modeling resilience and providing guidance, practitioners can empower clients to navigate challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and cultivate a sense of agency and empowerment in their lives.

Incorporating wellness spheres integration involves addressing various aspects of well-being to support holistic health and resilience. This approach encompasses physical wellness by encouraging self-care practices like exercise, nutrition, and adequate sleep. Emotional wellness is promoted through tools for regulation and stress management, such as mindfulness techniques and grounding exercises. Social wellness is fostered by nurturing supportive relationships and networks within both professional and community contexts. Cognitive wellness is promoted through techniques that enhance cognitive flexibility and resilience, including cognitive restructuring. Finally, spiritual wellness is respected by acknowledging individual beliefs and values, offering space for exploration and meaning-making.

Positive psychology is essential in working with at-risk youth as it emphasises strengths, resilience, and positive emotions, offering a framework for fostering hope, empowerment, and growth amidst adversity.

Somatic healing techniques focus on the interconnectedness of the mind and body, recognising that traumatic experiences are stored not only in the psyche but also in bodily sensations and movements. Through practices such as breath-work, yoga, mindfulness, and body awareness exercises, individuals are guided to reconnect with their bodily sensations, allowing them to release stored tension and trauma. By accessing and processing these somatic experiences, individuals can promote healing on a holistic level, creating a sense of safety and groundedness. Somatic healing techniques offer powerful tools for addressing trauma, reducing symptoms of stress and anxiety, and restoring balance to the mind-body connection.

Skills in artistic expression to enables individuals to use creative expression to process emotions and develop agency.

Recognising Implicit Bias: Understanding the impact of unconscious attitudes and beliefs on decision-making processes. Exploring the origins and manifestations of bias in personal and professional contexts. Examining the role of societal norms, stereotypes, and cultural influences in shaping biased perceptions. Developing self-awareness and reflexivity to identify and challenge implicit biases.