Trauma-Informed & Inclusive Communication Strategies

Lawyers must communicate effectively across differences and through varying degrees of trauma exposure as we attempt to build rapport, trust, and collaboration with our clients and colleagues. This training will introduce participants to concepts related to trauma and structural oppression, to set the foundation for a trauma-informed practice and communication strategies. We will introduce how power, privilege, and positionality can impact communication between individuals, and leave participants with tangible internal and interpersonal strategies to improve their cross-cultural communication with clients, colleagues, and communities. This training is designed to be an overview of both frameworks and strategies to support trauma-informed, cross-cultural communication strategies in the legal services context.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define foundational concepts related to trauma-informed communication
2. Describe the underlying nature of communication that can impact disconnection, tension, and conflict
3. Review strategies to improve communication and connection, and to address tension and conflict
4. Identify the next steps toward trauma-informed communication and conflict resolution