V-STEP: TRAUMA SERIES: Secondary Trauma and It's Impact...Part 3 of 4

Trauma Series is a four-part session that is taught by Dr. Michael F. Barnes focusing on elements related to trauma.

DATE and TIME:

Friday December 19, 2025 ~ 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST

SUMMARY:

Part III: Secondary Trauma and It's Impact on Individual Family Members and Entire Family System

There is abundant information regarding how trauma impacts survivors, but limited information regarding how that same traumatic event can impact the functioning of other family members and the family system as a whole. This presentation will discuss family system trauma, the symptoms that helping professionals will see, and how families unconsciously create a new normal that is organized around the traumatized loved one. Participants will learn about the importance of historical trauma and the need for a three-generation assessment in the initial stages of the therapeutic process.

OBJECTIVES:

• Participants will be able to identify the individual and systemic symptoms of secondary trauma.
• Participants will learn competencies for developing family resilience and family healing.
• Participants will learn how trauma can impact a family’s organizational style (i.e., rules, roles, routines, rituals, and relationships/boundaries) resulting in a family organizing around family coping strategies.
• Participants will be introduced to a clinical model for addressing secondary and systemic traumatic stress symptoms that can promote change in family schemas, and the development of a new family healing story.

Trainer Bio:

Dr. Michael Barnes is a Master Addiction Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Diplomate in the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. He serves as the Chief Clinical Officer at the Foundry Treatment Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He provides administrative and clinical oversight for all residential and outpatient programs. Dr. Barnes comes to the Foundry after serving for five years as the Clinical Manager of Residential Services at CeDAR (Center for Dependency, Addiction, and Rehabilitation) at the University of Colorado Hospital and 10 years as a full-time clinical professor in Counseling. Most recently he served as the Clinical Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor in the MA Program in Counseling at the University of Colorado Denver. Dr. Barnes has developed trauma integrated clinical models for the treatment of individuals with co-occurring addiction and trauma and he speaks nationally on Families, Trauma, and Addiction. Dr. Barnes received his BA in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, his M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh, and his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Florida State University.

Training Contact: Anne Milun (Litecky), VASIII, Program Manager, 410-837-5055, alitecky@ubalt.edu, Cherie Peay, cpeay@ubalt.edu, 443-600-1621, Nicole Feldhaus-Litecky, nfeldhauslitecky@ubalt.edu, 410-274-4655

ROPER VICTIM ASSISTANCE ACADEMY OF MARYLAND (RVAAM) University of Baltimore

Victim Services Training Enhancement Program (V-STEP)…Bringing Crime Victim Training and Certification to Maryland Communities

Certificate of Training, Social Work CEUs and Academic Credits:

RVAAM selected curriculum has been approved for specific professions (e.g. social work, law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole) Upon completion of an online evaluation form, participants are welcome to request a Certificate of Training; Social Work Category I Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and/or academic credits. All participants are eligible to receive a Certificate of Training (1 credit per training hour).

2024 V-STEP: Regional Victim Services Advanced Trainings are held in 5 regional locations across Maryland. Please contact Anne Milun, V-STEP Program Manager for information or to schedule a training at your agency or organization.