Food for Thought: Trauma-informed approach to communication

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This interactive session invites participants to explore trauma informed communication as a practical, relational approach to everyday interactions in post-secondary environments. Together, we will examine how trauma and stress can influence a person’s ability to stay regulated, engaged, and able to learn, and how communication choices can either support safety and belonging or unintentionally create distress or disconnection. Through real world scenarios, peer learning, and guided reflection, participants will gain concrete, role-relevant strategies they can apply in their work to communicate with greater care, clarity, and impact.

Presenters: Kristin Konieczny and Yuna Chen

Kristin is a Canadian Certified Counsellor and Supervisor with over seven years of experience supporting students in post-secondary settings. At BCIT, she provides individual counselling, clinical supervision, and practicum training, and works closely with campus partners to support student wellbeing through trauma-informed, relational, and systems-aware practices. Kristin’s clinical work is grounded in attachment-informed, somatic, and relational approaches, with a particular interest in how trauma, stress, and major life transitions impact learning, identity, and engagement. She is passionate about translating trauma-informed principles into practical, accessible communication strategies that support safety,

dignity, and belonging across institutional contexts.

Yuna has worked at the intersection of population health and postsecondary student wellbeing for over a decade. She has led various initiatives to advance mental health and wellbeing in higher education, including learning opportunities that strengthen supportive practices and the development of the Student Wellbeing Action Plan to support a whole-campus approach. Prior to joining BCIT, Yuna served as the Associate Director, Health Promotion at Simon Fraser University and as a Specialist with the Ontario

Palliative Care Network Secretariat (Ontario Health). She hopes to continue embedding trauma-informed approaches within the learning environment.

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Food for Thought: Trauma-informed approach to communication

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