The New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) is pleased to announce a new training course for legal advocates and allied professionals from OVS-funded organizations. 

In partnership with NYU, NYLAG and Columbia University, Trauma Responsive Lawyering is an 8-session virtual training (Fridays, January 22 – March 12, 2021) led by mental health and legal experts who serve interpersonal violence (IPV) survivors and their families. 

This program is open to legal advocates from OVS-funded organizations and sessions are geared toward both newer and more experienced legal professionals. Sessions are free of charge, and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits, including diversity and inclusion credits, will be provided to those who meet eligible criteria.

Training 8: Case Discussion of Trauma Informed Legal Work, March 19, 12-2pm EST

This session will provide advocates with an opportunity to discuss case specific questions (while maintaining confidentiality) to collaboratively strategize how to respond to issues that may arise when serving Survivors. It will give those present a chance to participate and observe how experts analyze and respond to various situations that may arise in client representation.

Sascha Griffin, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist who has extensive experience working with traumaexposed youth and adults, and currently works as the psychotherapist at the New York City Health + Hospitals Family Justice Center Mental Health Collaboration program at the Staten Island Family Justice Center. Dr. Griffin has provided direct clinical and supervisory services within acute care units, outpatient clinics, court-based clinics, residential treatment centers and domestic violence shelters. She has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals that address the interrelationships between trauma exposure and mental health concerns. Dr. Griffin received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Elizabeth Fitelson, MD is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and the co-founder and Director of the Women's Program in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center. She completed her medical training and residency at Columbia University/New York Presbyterian Hospital, as well as a fellowship in Public Psychiatry at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Her area of clinical expertise includes the evaluation and treatment of psychiatric disorders across the female life cycle, including perinatal psychopharmacologic management, menstrual cycle and perimenopause related disorders, infertility, and pregnancy loss as well as trauma and the intersection of IPV and mental health. Dr. Fitelson co-directs the Columbia Psychiatry Domestic Violence Initiative, a collaboration with the Chapman-Perelman Foundation, the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender Based Violence, and NYC Health & Hospitals, providing psychiatric care to domestic violence survivors at New York City’s Family Justice Centers.