Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday (COPE)
Canada’s leading couples-based trauma program for Canada’s leading couples-based trauma program for Trauma Exposed Professionals (TExP’s) and their Trauma Exposed Families (TExF’s) affected by Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI).
Solutions Focused Coaching
COPE is delivered nationally in English and French and is open to all Canadian veterans and first responders and their spouse/partner. This includes currently serving and retired/released veterans as well as RCMP, Police, Fire, EMS and Corrections services.
COPE Phase 1
The group-based facilitation model that COPE employs is designed specifically to combat the isolation and shame that are inherent aspects of everyday life for families dealing with operational stress issues. Phase I employs the following clinical methods:
- Structured reflection on critical life events to build awareness of how the PTSI has affected the couples’ relationships with themselves and each other.
- Psychoeducation around and professionally facilitated practice of relationship-focused PTSI coping skills, and
- Group processes to build a sense of community for the participant couples who are dealing with their OSI.
Duration: 5-day residential delivery
COPE Phase 2
On the last day of Phase I, each couple creates 2 week, 2 month and 6 month SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely) to increase their effective coping as a couple. These goals form the basis for the coaching calls, where professional coaches utilize the Solution Focused Coaching Approach to assist the clients in self-realization that will help them build better futures as they manage their injury within their relationships.
Duration: 3 phone calls per month for 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is solutions focused coaching?
A: Life coaching focuses on an individual’s entire life as it relates to goal setting, outcome creation and change. In coaching, the assumption is that individuals are capable of generating their own solutions, while the coach provides a supportive, discovery-based framework. While positive emotions are typically the natural outcome of great coaching, the primary focus is on creating strategies for changing your work or personal life.
The true emphasis in coaching is on action, accountability and follow through. It supports personal growth, professional growth and development based on individually initiated change.
Individuals that are ready for change in their lives use a life coach. They want to step into a life of choice and action that’s aligned with their goals and values. Coaching is like a giant sandbox where we explore how their dreams may become attainable goals. Coaching uncovers a sense of purpose and direction for clients.
Sometimes they need clarity and sometimes they need accountability and sometimes they need both.
A Coach is not a consultant who provides expert advice, but an expert who provides the framework, questions, exercises and space for clients to make positive changes that they want. If they seem unsure of those, a great Coach will help discover just that.
Q: What kind of questions will a Coach ask?
A: Questions asked may include:
- Are you ready to focus on yourself & nurture your personal development?
- Are you prepared to work toward your goals?
- Do you feel collaboration & accountability will help you become unstuck?
- Are your commitments to yourself and others out of balance?
- Are you willing to let go of limiting beliefs?
- How might you increase confidence?
- What are you passionate about?
- What may be another way of looking at that?
- What are your next steps?
- What will this get you?
- What would make this effortless?
Q: How does coaching work?
A: Professional Coaching is a collaborative partnership between a Coach and a willing individual and supports them through a process of discovery, goal setting and specific action.
AS A COACH
We will honor the relationship with the highest degree of professionalism, integrity and give the honesty it deserves. We will fully respect confidentiality and will commit to the Clients success. We abide by the ICF (International Coaching Federation) Code of Ethics.
AS A CLIENT
The Client understands that coaching is an ongoing relationship that is meant to produce fulfilling results in their personal and professional life.
Their growth depends on their level of commitment to this process. They can expect to deepen learning, improve performance and enhance their quality of life.
Find Support
We’re here to help you. Contact the WWP Resource Center for more information.
Developers
Dr. Black has been a trauma and group counselling specialist, educator,clinician, researcher, and program developer for over 20 years. In the first part of his career as a tenured Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology in one of the top counselling psychology graduate programs in Canada, Tim taught, published, and conducted research focused on Trauma Exposed Professionals (TExP). He has worked as a community-engaged researcher/practitioner beyond the halls of academia with Veteran and First Responder communities, local and national organizations, and has co-developed multiple national programs for TExP’s and their Trauma Exposed Families (TExF). Tim now serves as Wounded Warriors Canada’s National Clinical Director.
Chris and Kathryn Linford
Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Chris Linford BScN CD and his wife Kathryn have endured over two decades living with PTSD. They travel nationally representing WWC on numerous events annually telling their story of heart ache and struggle, but also of new found health and happiness. They have found a way to live with PTSD; stronger as a team, happier as a couple. They represent for all to witness a renewed level of health that can be achieved if you commit to do the work.
They also are the co-founders along with Dr Tim Black of the COPE Program or “Couples Overcoming PTSD Every Day”. This program represents their ability and willingness to give back and pay forward their new found health to all others struggling with PTSD in the home.