Let’s talk about the interdependence of emotional and physical safety in program design and the importance of creating a collaborative and inclusive environment. In this podcast episode, host Candace Brendler is joined by Steve Smith and Christine Norton to discuss trauma-informed risk management.

It is important to prioritize program participants' physical and emotional safety, as well as the need to recognize pre-existing vulnerabilities and strengths related to past experiences of trauma. This episode emphasizes the shift from using terms like 'soft skills' and 'hard skills' to 'interpersonal skills' and 'technical skills' to promote inclusivity.

Meet Steve Smith

Risk Management Consultant, Experiential Consulting, LLC

Steve is the founder and lead consultant at Experiential Consulting, LLC - a risk management consultancy that focuses on serving outdoor and experiential education programs since 2008, including colleges, schools, conservation corps, wilderness therapy, and camp programs. A former classroom English teacher and Outward Bound instructor, Steve brings his background teaching indoors and outdoors into his consulting work. He served as risk management director for The Student Conservation Association for five years, overseeing risk for youth and adult programs across all 50 States. He is an avid wildlife photographer, sea kayaker, and enjoys exploring the wild lands from his home on Whidbey Island in WA State.

Meet Christine Norton

Professor, Texas State University School of Social Work

Dr. Christine Lynn Norton is a Professor of Social Work at Texas State University. She is a Fulbright Scholar, as well as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist, and Certified Experiential Therapist. Christine is an outdoor therapy researcher and practitioner and has dedicated her career to researching outdoor, experiential education and mental health interventions.

Resources

• Beneficial Risks: The Evolution of Risk Management for Outdoor and Experiential Education Programs - Book Overview: https://www.outdoorrisk.com/beneficial-risks
• Get a FREE preview of the Inclusive Risk Management Chapter: www.outdoorrisk.com/contents (form at bottom of page)
• Order Beneficial Risks and get FREE shipping by using code Near-Miss (valid for US only): https://www.outdoorrisk.com/beneficial-risks
• SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach: https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma14-4884.pdf
• When it matters most: a trauma-informed, outdoor learning programme to support children’s wellbeing during COVID-19 and beyond: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03323315.2021.1915843
• Trauma and resilience in outdoor therapy: https://www.outdoored.com/articles/trauma-and-resilience-outdoor-therapy/