This is a weekend workshop: Friday, September 20 through Sunday, September 22. Each day will consist of 6 hours of programming with an hour break. Times: 8am - 3pm PT / 9am - 4pm MT / 10am - 5pm CT / 11am - 6pm ET (US & Canada) Trauma impacts an individual’s ability to form and recount a coherent narrative. The dysregulation which is the result of the traumatic injury interferes with the ability of a witness to recollect, organize, and report the details of the traumatic event. Additionally, the repeated recounting of a traumatic event, as is required in trials and discoveries, often results in re-traumatization of the witness. The challenges associated with traumatic injury make the adversarial trial process a challenging one for both victim and counsel. The intersection of the difficulties associated with traumatic injury and the adversarial trial process all too often leads to a sad and predictable result: the traumatized witness becomes dysregulated, begins to sob uncontrollably, panics, or shuts down completely. The ability of the witness to provide the details required to support the allegation becomes impaired or completely absent. The very trauma that resulted from the criminal or illegal act makes it difficult, if not impossible, to recount the events in a way that fulfills the legal burden required. The experience is frustrating for trial counsel and re-traumatizing for the witness. To address this challenge, it is imperative that counsel use a trauma-informed approach when conducting legal matters. The Kalra method, as developed by PVI Course Partner Suvidha Kalra, JD, is an approach to witness management and examination that integrates the principles of Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, techniques adapted from Hakomi Therapy and evidential admissibility requirements of court. This method will allow counsel to elicit nuanced and detail-rich evidence in examinations while minimizing the re-traumatization suffered by the witness. In this course participants will learn about the impact of trauma on victims and witnesses and will be provided with practical tools for use in office and courtroom settings. The four-step Kalra Method will teach participants to interact with victims and witnesses in a sensitive and compassionate manner, and to examine traumatized witnesses more effectively by conducting an embodied examination. Topic areas will include: the neurobiology of trauma, interpersonal safety, relational interaction, managing panic and dissociation, and somatically informed questioning. Students will have access to the course for 180 days from the date of registration.