Social Strategies Training Topics

The team at Social Strategies has highly developed, specialized knowledge that collectively serves the social service and public policy landscape. Specific trainings topics include human trafficking, sexual assault, trauma-informed practice, youth services, and organizational development and governance.

Most training courses are designed for a broad range of participants including social service providers, stakeholders, policy makers, and community members and are available in live and E-Learning versions. Check out the catalogue below to learn more.


Integrative Trauma and Healing Framework Intensive

This live, virtual learning opportunity can be from 2-12 hours long, depending on format. The content dives into the emergent theory and practice of the Integrative Trauma and Healing Framework. We focus on the embodiment of trauma at 5 levels, the body-brain threat responses, the interruption and re-building of our fundamental needs through pathways to healing, and how we all can work for universal access to healing. Co-created and facilitated by Leslie Briner and Teddy McGlynn-Wright.


Responding to Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking: Comprehensive Training for Service Providers

This live, virtual learning opportunity can be from 4-8 hours long, depending on format. This training will inform and prepare service providers and first responders to identify, engage and provide long-term support to sexually exploited youth. Topics include: definitions, language, landscape of exploitation, recruitment, identification, engagement and relationship building, and trauma-informed practice. Created by Leslie Briner.

Responding to Human Trafficking I: Definitions and Framing

This 1- hour workshop provides foundational content to identify and respond to sexual exploitation and trafficking of youth and is geared towards a broad range of service providers, educators and first responders. Topics include: Defining and identifying trafficking, the landscape of exploitation, engagement techniques and local resources. Created by Leslie Briner.

Enroll in this E-Learning Module for free here.


Responding to Human Trafficking: Advanced Skills Series

II: Identification and Engagement

This training covers strategies for identification and engagement with youth who have experienced trafficking. It focuses on relationship building as well as exploring recruitment and ways to prevent or interrupt further harm. This training prepares service providers and first responders to increase their identification of human trafficking and improved their responses to youth experiencing trafficking. Created and facilitated by Leslie Briner.

Enroll here!

III. Stages of Change

This training for service providers begins by exploring the Stages of Change theory and model of behavior change to deepen participant understanding of how people change and sustain new behaviors. Then, participants will learn to identify each of the 6 stages and how to shape service interventions based on each stage. Finally, practice exercises offer opportunities to apply new skills and knowledge about the Stages of Change. Created and facilitated by Leslie Briner.

Enroll here!

IV. Safety Planning

This training will begin by exploring what safety is, and what it means to different people. This includes physical, emotional, psychological, financial and community contexts for safety. From there, we will explore processes for increasing safety including concrete strategies for developing safety plans with young people and clients. Created and facilitated by Leslie Briner.

Enroll here!

V. Addressing Running Away Behavior

This training is for multi-disciplinary partners and service providers responding to sex trafficking cases. The training begins by exploring the reasons and conditions under which youth run away. This sets the stage for learning a process of assessment and intervention in running away behaviors with the goal of supporting youth and placement stability and decreasing running away behavior over time. The training concludes with a practice exercise to support integration of new knowledge and skills. Created and facilitated by Leslie Briner.

Enroll here!

VI. De-escalation

This training is for a broad range of social service providers. The training will cover the cycle of escalation, threat responses, and the process of de-escalation. Participants will further explore strategies to assess, respond, and de-escalate situations focused on direct practice settings and programs. Created and facilitated by Leslie Briner.

Coming Soon! Sign up for our mailing list for updates.


Motivational Interviewing

This training for service providers begins by exploring the definitions and foundational concepts of Motivational Interviewing (MI), which is an evidence-based approach to supporting people through change. The workshop begins with an overview of MI, then explores its specific techniques and skills. The training concludes with opportunities to practice the skills of Motivational Interviewing. Created and facilitated by Leslie Briner.

Enroll here!


Trauma and the Sex Trade: Training for Behavioral Health Providers

This unique workshop is an advanced training geared towards counselors and mental health providers with some foundational knowledge of sexual exploitation and trafficking. Participants will explore the specific impacts of violence and trauma experienced by people who have been sexually exploited. Additionally, participants will learn about an integrated model of recovery and resilience practices. Created and facilitated by Leslie Briner.

Legal Frameworks and Responses to the Sex Trades

This unique course is designed for legal professionals, service providers, students and community members who are interested in the rapidly changing landscape of prostitution, trafficking and commercial sexual abuse laws and policy. This course will explore federal statues and examples of Safe Harbor laws that are being implemented at the state level. This training will also explore the application of legal frameworks of legalization, regulated decriminalization, criminalization and the Nordic (or Equality) Model through case studies of countries that have adopted such frameworks. Created and facilitated by Leslie Briner.


Responding to Sexual Exploitation of Youth: Foundation Skills – Training for Trainers

This Training of Trainers will prepare people to deliver the evidence-based Responding to Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Youth foundational training in a flexible format. Responding to Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Youth prepares service providers and first responders to identify, engage and support sexually exploited youth. Topics include laws and definitions, language, the landscape of exploitation, identification, and engagement.

The training is three sessions, 4 hours each and participants must attend all three sessions as well as completing a 1-hour online training prior to starting the training. Created and facilitated by Leslie Briner.


Milieu Management for Agency-based Service Providers

This unique course is designed for service providers working with youth in community-based, residential, therapeutic, or educational settings. The training begins with an introduction to youth service milieus, then explores milieus through the framework of ‘People, Structure, and Practices’. Topics include relationship building, boundaries, consistency, trauma informed milieus and general strategies for supporting milieus. The workshop concludes with an activity to identify strengths and challenges in current milieu scenarios. Created and facilitated by Leslie Briner.

Enroll here!


Supporting Survivors: Essential Training for Sexual Assault Service Providers

This live, virtual course aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the nuances and complexities associated with supporting survivors of sexual assault. Attendees will delve into understanding the psychological, emotional, and physical repercussions of assault, effective methods of communication, the significance of creating a safe and trusting environment, and employing trauma-informed care during interventions. Additional topics encompass the legal landscape, multidisciplinary approaches, and the evolving societal context of sexual assault. Created and facilitated by Leslie Briner.


Bloodborne Pathogens Training – OSHA / Washington State

This 2-hour Bloodborne Pathogens training for social workers meets the annual OSHA and Washington State requirements for education on occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Participants will learn about the transmission of bloodborne diseases, safe work practices, personal protective equipment, and exposure control plans. The training is required annually and will cover relevant topics to protect social workers from the risks of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. At the end of the training, participants will receive a certificate of completion. Created by Leslie Briner. Facilitated by Chris Free.

Enroll here!