Dr. Mark Lerner

Workshops, Presentations and Seminar Topics

For Groups and Organizations

A serious illness or injury. Tragic loss of a friend or loved one. Physical or sexual abuse. An accident. Loss of a job, Divorce…. People experience personal crises every day.

In this dynamic, unique presentation, Dr. Mark Lerner empowers us to help ourselves and others through a challenging experience. Reminding us that It’s OK Not To Be OK when we face adversity, Dr. Lerner teaches us how we can harness painful energy and use it to propel us to start living again!

For the Workplace

Workplace CRISIS

Keep People Functioning
Develop an Organizational Traumatic Incident Management Team

Today, 98 percent of businesses in America are small to medium in size. In the event of a workplace crisis involving a sudden death, serious illness, an accident, a threat of violence or other tragedy, what is typically done to keep people functioning and mitigate ongoing emotional suffering?

In businesses that range from a dozen employees, to several hundred, people generally turn to trusted friends and colleagues for support. During times of crisis, it’s easier to talk to those we know, members of the organizational family, than “strangers with name tags.” Notwithstanding caregivers’ efforts, the magnitude of traumatic events often overwhelms individuals and their families, and compromises an organization’s ability to function.

In light of the fact that small to medium sized businesses do not generally have employee assistance and human resource personnel standing by, these organizations often find themselves severely impacted in the wake of a crisis.

In this dynamic, unique training program, Dr. Mark Lerner brings over two decades of experience to the business world. After utilizing a simple and effective strategy for identifying the “go-to” people within the organization, Dr. Lerner meets with this identified group and trains them to effectively manage workplace crises. By developing and enhancing peer caregivers’ repertoire of helping skills, businesses can draw upon their own resources to keep people functioning during a crisis.

Research has demonstrated that the best help early on is generally not rendered by mental health practitioners, but instead, by trained peers. After Dr. Lerner’s workshop training program, small to medium sized businesses will have an Organizational Traumatic Incident Management Team in place—a small investment from a corporation’s training budget that will ultimately protect the organization’s greatest asset—its people. Ultimately, this program will not only save businesses thousands of dollars in lost productivity per employee, but will also help to lessen the psychological damage and feelings of loneliness employees experience in the aftermath of a crisis. By reaching members of the organizational family early, we can prevent the acute difficulties of today from becoming the chronic problems of tomorrow.

What are the Major Benefits of Establishing an
Organizational Traumatic Incident Management Team?

• Improved Communication During Times of Crisis
• An Increase in Morale and Group Cohesiveness
• Better Decision Making
• Fewer Medical Claims
• Reduced Mental Health and Substance Abuse Costs
• A Decrease in Workers’ Compensation, Disability Claims and Litigation
• Reduced Absenteeism
• Retention of Effective Employees
• Lower Recruitment and Retraining Costs
• Strengthened Relationships among employees and Management
• Maintenance of Corporate Productivity
• The Potential to Grow From Adversity

Workshop attendees will receive a copy of Comprehensive Acute Traumatic Stress Management (www.ATSM.org). This publication provides practical information for organizations before, during and in the aftermath of a crisis. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to complete an application and examination for Certification in Acute Traumatic Stress Management.

For Our Schools

Managing a School-Based CRISIS

From professional development workshops to superintendent’s conference days, this dynamic presentation will empower all members of the school family. Beyond “who calls who” and “who does what,” attendees will learn practical skills to address the emotional needs of people during and in the aftermath of a crisis. By reaching members of the school family early, we can keep people functioning, mitigate ongoing emotional suffering and restore the educational process.

All attendees will receive a copy of A Practical Guide for Crisis Response in Our Schools. With over 150 thousand copies in print,this guide is the most widely utilized school crisis response plan in the world. Attendees at the workshop training programs are additionally provided with the opportunity to complete an examination for Board Certification in School Crisis Response (www.SchoolCrisisResponse.com).

For Our Colleges and Universities

Managing a University-Based CRISIS

This workshop presentation aims to empower all members of the college/university family to address the structure and process of university-based crises. This on-site program provides attendees with practical skills to address the emotional needs of people during and in the aftermath of a crisis. By reaching members of the university family early, we can keep people functioning and mitigate ongoing emotional suffering. This program is based on A Practical Guide for University Crisis Response (www.UniversityCrisisResponse.com).

All attendees will receive a copy of A Practical Guide for University Crisis Response. Attendees at the workshop training programs are additionally provided with the opportunity to complete an examination for Board Certification in University Crisis Response.

For Health Care Providers and/or Emergency Responders

Acute Traumatic Stress Management

Based on the Acute Traumatic Stress Management intervention model, this one day program aims to empower all health care providers and emergency responders to look beyond the physical and safety needs of people and also address emergent psychological needs. Attendees will have the opportunity to complete an application and examination for Board Certification in Acute Traumatic Stress Management. For further information about ATSM, please visit www.ATSM.org.

Reviews

Following is a list of organizations with whom Dr. Lerner has interviewed, consulted or trained: