Family Support Workshop Summary (2-Day Event)

 

You support them. This space supports you.
Two days. Zero judgment. Real tools for families walking beside service-related stress and trauma.

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Day 1: Understand – Building Safety & Clarity

 

Goals: Learn how service trauma affects relationships, and how to stop carrying the emotional load alone.

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• Connect with others who live this life—without shame or small talk

• Break down how trauma shows up at home (irritability, shutdown, emotional distance)

• Understand nervous system stress responses—yours and theirs

• Explore healthy communication that doesn’t backfire

• Learn grounding tools for your own stress (because you matter too)

• Create your “emotional safety toolkit” to use when things get tense

• Leave with language that works—even when you feel unheard

 

Day 2: Reconnect – Identity, Boundaries & Family Healing

 

Goals: Reclaim your identity, strengthen family systems, and build burnout protection.

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• Begin with a simple reset practice to settle in

• Reflect on who you are outside the role of caretaker or supporter

• Build boundaries that protect your peace without creating distance

• Share peer-tested strategies for conflict recovery and emotional repair

• Practice “stress de-escalation” tools as a family system (without shame)

• Explore next-step options:

  • Ongoing family peer circles

  • Individual support

  • Advocacy or volunteer tracks

• Close with a reflection circle to acknowledge your effort, care, and power

 

What This Is NOT:

• Group therapy

• A place to be blamed for someone else’s behavior

• A session to “fix” your family in 48 hours

 

What You’ll Leave With:

• Confidence in supporting your loved one without losing yourself

• Language and tools you can actually use

• Connection to a safe, grounded peer community

• A deep knowing: You are not alone—and never were.