Find Peace Within: WEVAS®

WEVAS® Goals & Beliefs

WEVAS® utilizes the concept of psychological states of being. People have times when they are in an optimal Competent State. Sometimes we move into problem states - we become anxious, agitated, aggressive or even assaultive.

WEVAS® teaches differentiated communication strategies that are targeted to match these psychological states. The appropriate strategy can be practiced to facilitate a return to the competent state.

In the yellow band of the diagram, WEVAS® identifies the four problem states. In the green band, WEVAS® differentiates the four types of communication strategies that are most effective when people are in these problem states. WEVAS® teaches debriefing skills to be used in the Open State after an incident, as well as follow-up and review.

WEVAS® was developed on Treaty One Territory of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples and the homeland of the Red River Metis. WEVAS® respects the treaties that were made on these territories, acknowledges the harms and mistakes of the past/present and is moving forward in partnership with all peoples, Indigenous, Black, People of Colour (IBPOC) and settlers alike. This is in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.

WEVAS® is aware of white-fragility, benevolence, hetero-patriarchal violence, and strives to be anti-racist, queering ally, maintaining a commitment to learn and correct errors.

WEVAS® believes that all people desire to be part of a safe and healthy community. Some people have not experienced such communities and the survival strategies that they employ sometimes seem to work against our efforts. We all can learn and teach healthy ways of interacting.

WEVAS® believes that visions, missions, philosophies, policies, and protocols developed to create safe and healthy communities are helpful and must be matched by effective practice. The practices of an organization are seen in the actions that are taken when issues arise.

WEVAS® believes that there are targeted practices that we can use to develop safe and healthy communities. Developing and supporting staff to use selectively these targeted practices is a key to creating these communities.

WEVAS® believes that the selective use of the targeted practices to develop safe and healthy communities requires practices that can be differentiated to match individual's or groups' emotional / behavioural needs.

The goal of WEVAS® Incorporated is to develop resources that organizations can use to cultivate safe and healthy communities. It develops targeted practices that support staff in taking effective action in the person's living/learning environments. These practices can be effectively integrated into existing Safe and Healthy Community Initiatives and may assist in areas that are often overlooked.

Facilitator Training

WEVAS® will teach you:

to understand and identify states of being in yourself and in others
to learn and practice deescalation skills at each state
to practice verbal and non-verbal skills
to notice shifts in energy and how to respond
to use your energy in ways to keep yourself and others safe
to respond in both proactive and reactive situations
to integrate WEVAS strategies into Behaviour Intervention Plans and Safety Plans
to debrief and review following events
to weave resources together to support individuals, families, classrooms, schools, communities
to create peaceful internal and external environments