Workshops

Barbara Small, M.A.

Your No-Nonsense Coach

Personal and Professional Development Workshops

Visit Barb's Blog.

These workshops are available for both large and small groups and can be customized to meet the particular needs of your group or organization. Barb's workshops vary in length from a few hours to two days. Costs vary based on the length and location of the workshop and the amount of customization required.

Crystal Clear Communication (standard length 5 - 6 hrs)
Clear communication is essential in both our personal and professional lives. Effective communication and active listening skills are the keys to getting our ideas across to others. They maximize the impact of our message while minimizing misunderstanding and defensiveness. Gain practical hands-on experience with communication tools, such as listening for understanding, clarification and reflection. Explore the importance of non-verbal communication and understand common causes of communication breakdown. Learn the power of crystal clear communication.

What is communication? The communication process.
What helps and hinders communication skills?
Assessing your personal communication skills
Non-verbal communication
Poor listening habits vs. active listening skills
Effectively sending your message
Communication skills practice
Developing a personal action plan to improve communication

Assertiveness Skills: Finding Your Voice (standard length 4 - 5 hrs)

Do you tend to hide your feelings and not ask for what you want because you are afraid of how others may react? Do you say yes, when you would rather say no? Assertiveness involves actively expressing ourselves while respecting the rights of others. Assertiveness is an essential skill to enhance both our work and personal lives and is beneficial in overcoming addictions and other compulsive behaviors. In this workshop we will focus on the characteristics of an assertive person, learn practical tips and techniques for being assertive and explore what currently prevents you from speaking up for yourself.

Four styles of communication
How we learn to be non-assertive
How do we keep ourselves non-assertive
Assertiveness self-assessment
The role of our self-talk and our beliefs
Characteristics of assertive communication
Overcoming obstacles to being assertive
Practical tips on how to be assertive, including saying "no" and dealing with criticism
Tips to remember about being assertive

Facilitating and Motivating Change in Others (standard length 3 - 4 hrs)

As professionals in the human service field, we can often feel frustration and powerlessness when clients do not follow through with the behavior changes which we believe would be beneficial for them. The reality is that individuals make changes only when they are ready and willing to do so. As professionals what we can do is help facilitate the change by working with our clients to explore and understand the meaning the change has for them and the obstacles to them following through with it. This workshop would be beneficial to any individuals who are involved with people who are attempting behavior changes. Participants will be given an opportunity to explore ways of applying the workshop information to their own personal work setting.

Why is change difficult?
Models of change and the change process
Roadblocks to making changes
The what, why and how of resistance
Strategies for managing resistance
Increasing motivation
Perception, meaning and self-talk
Avoiding agendas
Goal-setting

Introductory Counselling Skills (standard length 5 - 6 hrs)

This workshop will introduce the counselling process and focus on the practical skills needed to be supportive in a helping relationship. Basic counselling skills can be of value in many volunteer and work environments. Participants will explore the dynamic of the helping relationship, the characteristics of effective helping and basic counselling and listening skills through the use of role-play and hands-on practice.

Overview of the counselling process
Goals of a therapeutic relationship
Characteristics of effective helping
Helping skills vs. non-helping skills
Active listening and Paraphrasing
Effective use of questions
Empathy

Group Facilitation Skills (standard length 2 days)

Are you involved in various "helping roles" in your workplace or in the community where the facilitation of groups is an expectation? Learning the key facilitation skills used to guide various types of groups will be of value to you. Set in the context of the stages of group development, participants will observe and "try on" skills that facilitate group participation, enhance group cohesion and co-operation, and increase personal insight. Problem solving, group process issues and alternative strategies will be covered.

The Definition of a Group
Adult Learners in Groups
Stages of Group Development
Types of Group Behaviour: Task vs. Maintenance
What makes a "great facilitator" great?
Challenging group situations and tips/techniques to deal with them

Self-talk: The Road to Positive Change (standard length 3 - 4 hrs)

Our thoughts determine how we experience our world. Eliminate self-defeating thoughts and beliefs that are preventing you from living a personally satisfying life. Learn practical techniques to amplify your positive self-talk, increase your self-esteem, reduce your stress and have more fun.

What self-talk is and the impact of negative self-talk
The development of self-talk
Common forms of negative self-talk and how changing the words you use can change your life
Easy to follow six-step model to changing your negative self-talk
Creating positive self-talk
The power of positive thinking

Building Esteem for Your Self (standard length 3 hrs)

How we feel about ourselves is one of the most important keys to successfully making positive changes. Although influenced by external factors, true self-esteem comes from within us. Learn how to feel more confident about yourself and how to use this increased energy to make healthy changes in your life.

Definition and development of self-esteem
What decreases self-esteem
Drainers and energizers
Common self-defeating beliefs
The six building blocks of self-esteem
Steps to improving your self-esteem
Taking action toward feeling more confident

If you would like Barb to facilitate a workshop for your group or organization, contact her at (250) 361-3439 or email her at barbsmall@shaw.ca. To read testimonials of past clients and participants visit the "About Barb and Testimonials" page.

Previous clients have included:

Canadian Cancer Society, Emergency Aid Volunteers
Heart and Stroke Foundation, Heart to Heart Facilitator In-service
CUPE Staff Development, Cowichan School District, #79
British Columbia Schizophrenia Society, Peer Counsellors
Municipality of Saanich, Managers
Canadian Cancer Society, Volunteer Core Curriculum Training
Providence Farm, Horticulture Therapy Program
Camosun College, Continuing Education Department and College Staff Development
Malaspina College, Continuing Education Department and College Staff Development
Coastal Community Credit Union
Nanaimo General Hospital, Radiology Department
CUPE Staff Development Days, Victoria School District, #61
Esquimalt Neighbourhood House, Youth and Family Counsellors
Victoria Dental Hygienists Association
Making Tomorrow Conference (9 years)

To improve your communication skills and to quiet your mind so that you can listening and speak more effectively, purchase Barb's newest book, "If I Could Just Get Out of My Own Head: A No-Nonsense Guide to Communicating Effectively".

Do you want more information about changing your negative, critical thoughts to positive, self-supporting thoughts? Check out Barb's book "Blah, blah, blah... Changing Your Negative Self-talk".

Do you want concrete tips on how to communicate more assertively? Check out Barb's book, "What About Me, What Do I Want? Becoming Assertive".