Utilizing Telehealth in Identifying and Resourcing Trafficking Victims
Enroll in the Online Self-Study course and complete it at your own pace.
1 CE hour available for behavioral health clinicians upon completion.
Sex trafficking and labor trafficking can happen anywhere — and often go unrecognized, even by professionals trained in trauma-informed care. But what if you could sharpen your ability to detect the subtle indicators of exploitation and know exactly how to connect survivors to life-changing resources, even through the screen of a telehealth session?
This course provides behavioral health professionals with the practical knowledge and tools to confidently identify and support victims of trafficking in virtual clinical settings — a growing and urgent need in the era of remote care.
Enroll in the 1 CE Online Self-Study for $20
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Alia El-Sawi, Victim Assistance Specialist for Homeland Security Investigations, leads this course with insights drawn from 15 years of experience in trafficking prevention, survivor support, and public education. Joining her are Mel Meyer, Director of Out of Darkness at the Atlanta Dream Center, and Dr. Vanessa Snyder, a trauma expert and Director of the Richmont Trauma Center. Together, they offer a multi-disciplinary, survivor-informed perspective rooted in both direct clinical care and systemic response.
With clarity and compassion, these seasoned experts guide learners through the practical application of trauma-informed approaches, culturally responsive care, and safety-sensitive engagement — all tailored to the nuances of telehealth delivery. Through real-life examples and field-tested strategies, participants will gain clarity, confidence, and competence in addressing this complex issue.
Topics explored include the legal definitions of trafficking and sexual exploitation, common myths and misconceptions among behavioral health professionals, vulnerability factors and red flags in telehealth settings, trauma-informed screening, barriers to survivor self-identification, the importance of partnerships and trust-building, and how to locate local and national resources, including housing, legal, and immigration support. The course also highlights the needs of vulnerable populations such as undocumented individuals, transgender and LGBTQ+ clients, people with developmental disabilities, and male survivors.
Instructor
Alia El-Sawi, MS,
Alia El-Sawi is the Victim Assistance Specialist for Homeland Security Investigations, with 15 years of experience combating human trafficking across Georgia and Alabama. She trains law enforcement and service providers nationwide, conducts victim interviews, and supports survivors’ immigration relief. Formerly with the nonprofit Tapestri, Alia has led national committees, trained foreign governments worldwide, and received numerous awards for her leadership in anti-trafficking efforts. She speaks four languages and holds a master’s in Criminal Justice with a focus in Victimology from Boston University.
Instructor
Mel Meyer, MNA,
Mel Meyer is the Director of the Out of Darkness Anti-Sex Trafficking Department at the Atlanta Dream Center. With a background in youth and juvenile justice programs, she brings extensive experience in crisis care and survivor support. Mel holds a master’s in Nonprofit Administration, previously served as Director of Residential Services at the Center, and helped develop best practices for safe homes and crisis response. She serves on the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force, where she chairs a workgroup focused on adult survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.
Instructor
Dr. Vanessa Snyder, PhD, LMFT, LPC,
Dr. Vanessa Snyder is Vice President of the Richmont Institute for Trauma & Recovery and an Assistant Professor at Richmont Graduate University. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Certified Master Traumatologist, she directs all clinical services at the Richmont Trauma Center. Dr. Snyder specializes in complex trauma, dissociative disorders, and recovery from sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Her research focuses on trauma treatment, organizational trauma, and compassion fatigue, and she frequently presents nationally on trauma recovery and therapist wellness.
Key Takeaways:
- Improve detection in telehealth settings: Learn to recognize nuanced behavioral cues and environmental signs that may indicate a client is being trafficked.
- Increase access to services: Know how to connect survivors with appropriate support, including crisis intervention, shelter, medical care, and legal advocacy.
- Enhance your impact: Apply trauma-informed practices to foster safety, trust, and healing in the therapeutic relationship.
Why this course?
- Expert-led content: Learn from national leaders in human trafficking prevention and survivor care who bring law enforcement, nonprofit, and clinical expertise to the table.
- Trauma-focused and telehealth-specific: Unlike generic trainings, this course directly addresses the challenges of trafficking identification within telehealth behavioral health services.
- A mission-driven organization: Telehealth Certification Institute equips clinicians with the skills they need to provide high-quality, ethical, and trauma-informed care, regardless of setting.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize and identify victims of sexual exploitation in a virtual setting
- Identify and locate resources for victims of sexual exploitation
Whether you're a seasoned clinician or new to telehealth, this course offers essential insights for serving some of the most vulnerable clients you may encounter. Strengthen your clinical skill set and be better prepared to make a meaningful difference — even when the signs of trafficking are subtle and hidden in plain sight.
Enroll today to develop your skills, boost your confidence, and enhance your impact as a behavioral health professional.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 1 hour of video instruction and a post-test.
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Availability:
From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.
Who Should Attend:
This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.
Teaching Methods:
This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.
How to attend:
Directions for completing a course can be found by clicking here.
This program was recorded on September 18, 2020.
Testimonials
Iveyana Kiara Smith
Jessy Hainbach
Bryant Wilson
Ben Keyser
Mei Chan
Meghan Co, LCSW-C, LICSW