Roane County Employers' Association -When the Unexpected Happens in Life

When the Unexpected Happens in Life: Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Employees
Presented by Dr. Daniel J. Williams
Clinical Director at Roane Academy 

Trauma refers to intense and overwhelming experiences that involve serious loss, threat or harm to a person's physical and/or emotional wellbeing.  These experiences may occur at any time in a person's life.  They may involve a singe traumatic event or may be repeated over many years.  These trauma experiences often overwhelm the persons coping resources.  This often leads the person to find a way of coping that may work in the short run but may cause serious harm int he long run. 

During this extraordinary presentation, Dr. Williams will help us better understand the effects of a traumatic event and how we can help someone to cope.  We will learn:

• What trauma is
• How trauma can affect the individual who experiences trauma
• How trauma can affect the people surrounding the individual experiencing trauma; that includes family, friends and co-workers
• Basic steps to take when dealing with an individual who has experienced a traumatic event
• Where to turn when more professional assistance is needed

Trauma fractures comprehension as a pebble shatters a windshield. The wound at the site of impact spreads across the field of vision, obscuring reality and challenging belief.
― Jane Leavy, author & journalist


About our Speaker: 
Dr. Daniel J. Williams is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been serving as the Clinical Director of Roane Academy for the past year and a half.  Roane Academy is a residential home for adolescent boys who have experienced abuse, loss and deal with mental health issues.  Prior to being the clinical director, Dr. Dan maintained a full time private practice for children, adults and families needing mental health support especially in relation to trauma related problems.  Over the years, he has worked with a variety of organizations that include Cherokee Health Systems, Boston Public Schools, other residential treatment programs and the Massachusetts Department of Children's Services.  Dr. Dan received his Doctor of Psychology from the Williams James College and studied at the Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute in Brookline, Massachusetts.