Workshop Methodology

1. This self-directed course is based on experiential learning using Sandy's Experience: A story that teaches. 

2. Like a face-to-face workshop, the contents are to be applied to real-life situations to solve real-world problems.  

Assignments and Exams

As with face-to-face workshops, there are no hand-in assignments or exams; however, there is a developmental quiz and a narrative analysis quiz for your self-assessment.  

In addition to the quizzes, there are several questions for reflection as you draw on your life experiences and your wisdom to help to prepare you to help humanity one child or an adult survivor at a time.

It is strongly recommended that you keep a journal or notes of your reflections to refer to in the future.

Note on Commemorating this month: Although working to alleviate/stop child sexual abuse is continuous, it is good to set aside a specific time to assess the last year’s progress, challenges, and potential solutions going forward. Some provinces, the USA, and other countries commemorate it in April, and some others in May and October. 

It is also a good time for further public awareness of the horror of child sexual assault. 

General Disclaimers

Sandy's Experience is a fictitious story and any resemblance to any real situation(s) is coincidental. © The Ark Psychological Services Institute. 

In addition, this workshop is not a replacement for therapy.  If you are experiencing any challenges to your usual mental functioning, I strongly urge you to contact a mental health provider without delay. 

In addition, all public domain photos or images of persons, including the course image, used throughout this workshop are for illustration purposes only. As such, the images of persons are all models. These images came from Public Domain, Creative Commons Royalty Free
sources.

Let's be honest, child sexual abuse is one of those topics that many professionals may prefer not to encounter.

However, when clients sit in front of you whether as a child or as an adult, you do not know what will eventually be revealed to you as this revelation may not be made until the fifth or sixth session.  

In fact, some professionals who may prefer not to become entangled with such a touchy subject, but who are obligated to do so, may better understand the vital role that they could play in protecting children; especially, by giving them a trusting space to speak about what they have been experiencing. 

Working in Small and/or Rural Communities

Having said the above, I also understand the plight of those who work in small or rural communities where they may be well known to the offender(s). 

I know of an educator from a small community who lost her life because the offender, who was well known to her, found out that she was going to report him to the authorities. 

Sexual assault, including incest, with all of its legal and social implications, is not an easy topic to discuss, nor is it an easy experience
for the survivors and their loved ones. Notwithstanding this, it is a situation that you may encounter in your counseling practice or classroom.

I, therefore, offer Sandy’s Experience as a supportive preventative tool to give an advantage over competing narratives. 

This advantage could help to make this world a safer place where children can develop without having to live with the traumatic aftermath of child sexual assault.