Event Coverage Highlight

Freelance journalists are invited to an interactive, virtual session on psychological safety and resilience on Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The training, primarily for freelance journalists working overseas, is jointly offered by the Overseas Press Club and Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. It is supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation, Committee to Protect Journalists, Rory Peck Trust and ACOS, all organizations committed to providing programs and services to bolster the mental health and security of working journalists.

Registrants will receive a link to join the Zoom call before the program on Oct. 12.

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The 90-minute training will offer a model for understanding the impact of trauma and related stresses in journalism, as well as strategies for enhancing individual well being, giving and receiving peer support and building resilient teams.

The training is to be delivered by Katherine Porterfield, PhD, a clinical psychologist and senior trainer for the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, will include a slide presentation, interactive breakouts and ample time for Q&A and discussion.

Porterfield is a consulting clinical psychologist at the Bellevue Hospital Program for Survivors of Torture in New York City. Dr. Porterfield has provided clinical care to adults, adolescents and children who have experienced war and refugee trauma and torture for over 20 years. She regularly consults on issues pertaining to trauma, including in cases at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, US courts, and the International Criminal Court and with journalists and human rights organizations. Dr. Porterfield is a founding staff member of a the Journalist Trauma Support Network, an initiative at the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University. Dr. Porterfield regularly teaches and works with groups around issues of wellbeing, stress management and team communication. She trained with and continues to teach at the legendary Second City improvisational theater.

Below are some useful resources:

The Journalist Trauma Support Network (JTSN) has a JTSN Directory listing trauma psychotherapists in the U.S. who have completed the JTSN training in working with journalist occupational stress and trauma.

Rory Peck Trust has a Therapy Fund which covers the cost of treatment for freelance journalists to access professional psychological support.