Psychological First Aid (PFA): A 4-Module Course

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is the current international standard for care and support for individuals in the midst of or the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. This evidence-based technique replaces the debriefing process that was used in the past. 

Meetings:

•  Weekly on Zoom — Tuesdays @ 7AM (Pacific Time) 
• (Check time for your time zone here: (www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html)

Instructor: 

Dr. Pat Omidian – International Consultant, Trainer, Author, Speaker 

• Co-Founder and Director of Focusing Initiatives International. Contact her at pat@focusinginternational.org

Our program is designed to encourage the sharing of knowledge, information and best practices between participants, no matter where they live and work. On a global scale, we strive to empower people and communities to connect with each other, to problem solve together, and to recognize commonalities in the face of differences. It is through this process of listening, sharing and discovery that we gain wisdom, build stronger communities, and a healthier world. And it is by sharing PFA activities that we all improve our abilities to support others as they make sense of and gain the strength to rebuild their lives. 

Focusing Initiatives International provides consultation, collaborative program development, and support for communities and organizations to apply the methods and wisdom of Focusing practices to the specific needs of their local situation. We conduct workshops, trainings and webinars. We work with local humanitarian workers and support self-care wellness techniques that are culturally relevant.  

We have over 50 years of accumulated experience working in the warzones of Afghanistan and Pakistan. In Pakistan specifically, we have worked with refugee groups, staff of international agencies, and communities dealing with poverty and violence in areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and erstwhile FATA region. We were among the first responders to the 2005 Pakistan earthquake.  We have reached communities in Africa, the Middle East, and South and East Asia, with volunteers and mentors in many countries, facilitating connections across the globe. 

Course Objectives

By the end of the four modules, participants will have a deeper understanding of current “best practices” for the emotional support of survivors in the immediate aftermath of disaster and trauma. They will have practiced valuable techniques in deep and healing listening. 

Participants will be able to identify key learnings for PFA and ways they can share these with colleagues and in community.  

Course Fees/Cost

The Course fee is $200 per person.  (Scholarships are available–email Pat)

Many participants in our programs live in regions of the world where they cannot access programs like ours because they don’t have the ability to pay.  Sometimes, these communities are where PFA is needed the most. For this reason, we need additional donations. We ask that you make a donation to cover the cost of your learning, and if you have the means, make an additional donation to help cover the cost for others. 

Certification available

We do offer certification for this course. Should you wish to obtain a certificate in Psychological First Aid, you must write to the instructor within the first week of the course and arrange for payment of the additional fee of $50 (or to request a scholarship). Expectations for obtaining a certification are outlined below.

Module 1 will begin on April 7th, 2021.

Each module: 

Questions?

Contact Pat@focusinginternational.org or Hunter@focusinginternational.org