Training Programs
We are actively co-developing our training programs with our community and will share them as they become available. If you’re interested in learning more about or contributing to our training programs, we’d like to hear from you.
Why Training Matters
Research-Informed Training Fosters Better Care Outcomes
Intimate partner violence and mental health are deeply connected, yet many systems still treat them as separate problems. Training helps close that gap. When survivors, those who have used violence, allies, and providers all have access to clear, evidence-informed education, it becomes easier to notice warning signs early, offer safer support, and interrupt the cycle of harm.
For Survivors
Lived Experience Advocacy Program (LEAP)
We are currently co-creating LEAP, an online training program for people with lived experience of intimate partner violence who want to use that experience to drive change. It will equip participants to become co-researchers, community leaders, and advocates who contribute their expertise to research, service design, and partnership initiatives connected to Mhaven and beyond. Content is in development and will launch soon. If you’re interested in learning more about LEAP or contributing to the program, we’d like to hear from you.
For Clinicians & Practitioners
Training Programs for Professionals
Mhaven is developing training to help mental health professionals recognize, assess, and respond to intimate partner violence in their day-to-day practice. Our programs will blend evidence-based tools with real-world case examples, giving practitioners concrete skills they can use in hospitals, community settings, and private practice.
ODARA 101
ODARA 101 will introduce the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment, an evidence-based tool used to estimate the likelihood of future intimate partner violence. This training will walk participants through the purpose, structure, and scoring of the ODARA, and offer guidance on how to use risk information ethically and collaboratively in safety planning and clinical decision-making.
Clinician Training Opportunities
This training stream will support mental health professionals in integrating intimate partner and gender-based violence considerations into their everyday work. Participants will learn how to ask about violence safely, respond to disclosures, collaborate on safety plans, and connect people with appropriate services, while maintaining a trauma- and violence-informed stance.
Looking for More Training Programs or Interested in Partnering to Offer One?
Mhaven is building a coordinated ecosystem of training across hospitals, community organizations, and research partners. If you’re looking for additional programs or interested in co-developing new offerings, we’d like to hear from you.