Webinar: Positions to uplift or oppress: The Impact of Unrecognized Power

Positions to uplift or oppress: The impact of unrecognized power

Most organizational/employment positions come with some amount of power. Depending on the role, it is sometimes difficult to discern this power and understand the impact one might have. Yet, even in client-centered, horizontal leading systems, there are still power differentials and power dynamics that influence others.

Understanding the power and influence we hold with clients and within our communities and our reactions to client stories will help ensure we work from a more trauma-informed practice that uplifts clients and limits re-traumatization. Furthermore, understanding clients’ trauma responses and our own nervous system response allows for space to connect, work together, and minimize replicating harmful power dynamics.

In this workshop, we will explore how to create a trauma-informed practice that considers people’s experiences, past traumas, and cultural factors.  We will delve into the intersectionality of power, how it shows up in different spaces and interactions, and our personal relationship to the power we hold. We will explore our current roles in working with adolescent sexual and reproductive health and examine our impact on the populations we serve and the people with which we work. Additionally, we will discuss best practices and strategies for co- and self-regulation so that connection can be possible when addressing adolescent sexual and reproductive health with individuals, families, and communities.

Objectives:

• Understanding power and influence
• Creating a trauma-informed practice to uplift others around experiences of adolescent sexual and reproductive health
• Identifying trauma responses and our own nervous system response when discussing themes, factors, and social implications related to adolescent sexual health
• Examining own biases and beliefs around youth sexual health and how they show up in working with youth and families
• Developing strategies for co- and self-regulation with individuals, families, and communities