Specialized Training Opportunities
Introductory Level Training
Neighbor to Neighbor
At Arms Stretched Wide, we believe hope starts with human connection. That’s why we created Neighbor to Neighbor, a powerful three-part training series designed to equip everyday people to walk alongside those facing emotional, relational, and mental health struggles. Written and developed by our Executive Director of Programs & Innovation, DeAnna Sheets, MA, LPC-S, the curriculum is grounded in clinical expertise and real-life experience. Each session reflects ASW’s core values of Relationships, Compassion, and Empowerment, and offers practical tools anyone can use to care well for others, whether in a church, workplace, small group, or rural community. This is not just theory. Participants learn how to: •Build healthy, supportive relationships •Recognize and respond to mental and emotional distress •Offer hope to those walking through trauma, grief, or crisis We are bringing this training to communities where professional support is often out of reach, but people still need someone to show up. Cost: $400 for a group training consisting of #3 90-minute training workshops Get scheduled before the end of the year to receive this introductory price. The cost of the Neighbor to Neighbor training will be $900 beginning January 1, 2026.
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​Our trainings are available to anyone interested in learning how to encourage and support others.
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We offer consultation services to assist individuals and organizations with training and support options.
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​We recommend attending our Neighbor to Neighbor training prior to our advanced trainings.
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For more information and how to register for our trainings, contact us at:
(806) 437-1281
armsstretchedwide.com
2001 S Polk Amarillo, TX 79109​​
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Advanced Trainings
RELATIONAL WISDOM
At Arms Stretched Wide, we facilitate in-person Relational Wisdom (RW) training, a powerful relational and emotional intelligence framework developed by Ken Sande, founder of RW360. This training is designed to strengthen people's relationships with God, themselves, and others and is available in faith-based and values-based formats to meet the needs of diverse groups. Facilitated by instructors from ASW, our live trainings are interactive, relational, and immediately applicable across work, family, ministry, and community settings. Whether we’re teaching in a rural church, small business, or support group, our approach is centered around real-life scenarios and ASW’s core values: Relationships, Compassion, and Empowerment. What We Cover: Our in-person RW training provides practical skills in: •Strengthening emotional intelligence and self-awareness •Improving communication and conflict resolution •Building stronger personal and professional relationships •Learning how to respond wisely under pressure •Understanding and navigating emotions through a biblical or values-based lens Training Options We offer the following RW training formats in person: •Introductory Workshops (2–3 hours): Overview of key relational skills and application •One-Day Seminars: Deeper dive into emotional and relational wisdom, tailored for your team •Group Series: Multi-session format ideal for churches, leadership teams, staff development, or community training Who It's For: This training is for: •Church leaders, ministry teams, and faith-based organizations •Educators, small businesses, and community organizations •Families, support groups, and anyone navigating complex relationships Why It Matters: People are struggling in silence, often not because they lack information, but because they lack connection, compassion, and practical relational tools. RW helps bridge that gap with wisdom and grace. Whether you choose the biblical or values-based versions, RW helps individuals and teams grow in empathy, accountability, and healthy relational patterns. Cost: $300 for ½ day or $525 for full day per group Each participant will need to purchase a $10 workbook for this training
Compassion Fatigue & Burnout
Who helps the helpers? At Arms Stretched Wide, we recognize that those who care for others, pastors, caregivers, teachers, volunteers, healthcare providers are often silently carrying emotional burdens that lead to exhaustion, resentment, or withdrawal. Our Compassion Fatigue & Burnout Training is designed to support the people who give so much of themselves. This training offers tools for renewal, resilience, and healthy boundaries, so helpers can continue to serve with sustainability and strength. It is anchored in ASW’s core values of Relationships, Compassion, and Empowerment, and is available in faith-based or non-faith-based formats to meet your audience where they are. What This Training Covers: •Understanding the signs and stages of compassion fatigue and burnout •The difference between healthy stress and harmful overload •Practical strategies for rest, recovery, and emotional regulation •Setting relational and personal boundaries that honor both calling and capacity •Cultivating habits of renewal: community, purpose, rest, and reflection Who Should Attend: •Pastors and ministry leaders •Counselors and lay caregivers •Teachers, first responders, nonprofit staff •Volunteers and family caregivers •Anyone in a high-empathy, high-impact role Training Format: •In-person workshop format (2–4 hours or customized for your setting) •Interactive learning with group discussion, reflection, and self-assessment tools •Delivered by ASW trainers with personal and professional experience in caregiving, and mental health advocacy •Faith-based principles available for church or ministry settings Why It Matters: You can’t pour from an empty cup. But too often, those called to care don’t feel permission to rest or even name their weariness. ASW provides a safe, practical space for helpers to step back, breathe, and learn how to keep going without burning out. This training isn’t just prevention. It’s permission. To be human. To be healthy. To be Whole. Cost: $300 for ½ day group training
Spiritual Care Provider
In times of crisis, people don’t just need solutions, they need presence. At Arms Stretched Wide, we offer Spiritual Care Provider Training to equip individuals and ministry teams to walk alongside those facing trauma, loss, and life-altering events with compassion, and faith-rooted care. This training is especially suited for church leaders, chaplains, lay caregivers, and volunteers who want to minister effectively in grief, disaster, or emotional crises. This in-person training helps participants become a steady presence in the storm. What This Training Covers: •The role of a spiritual care provider during crises and traumatic events •Encouragement through listening •Basic trauma-informed care principles •Spiritual first aid: responding with Scripture, prayer, and compassion •Understanding spiritual and cultural diversity in providing care •Ministering to individuals, children, elderly, and communities in acute distress •Maintaining spiritual and emotional health as a caregiver Who It’s For: •Pastors, chaplains, and ministry leaders •Church volunteers and lay counselors •Disaster response teams and outreach workers •Small group leaders and support group facilitators Format & Delivery: •In-person training sessions (training is 16 hrs in length & will be broken up over several days) •Rooted in biblical principles, trauma-informed care, and real-life ministry experience •Designed for immediate application in pastoral care, crisis response, and ministry settings •Optional follow-up consultation available for churches or organizations Why It Matters: In moments of loss or trauma, it’s not about having the perfect words, but about being faithfully present. This training prepares people of faith to act when it matters most. When someone is hurting, your presence can be the bridge to hope, healing, and spiritual strength. Cost: $1,050 per group this includes 2 full days of group training Each participant in the training will need to purchase a $30 Disaster Spiritual Care Workbook
Customized Training
Every community is different. Every story is unique. That’s why Arms Stretched Wide offers customized training experiences tailored to meet the specific needs of your church, organization, or community group. Whether you're navigating a season of crisis, launching a new care initiative, or responding to issues unique to your people, we’re here to listen, collaborate, and equip. Grounded in ASW’s core values: Relationships, Compassion, and Empowerment, our team will work with you to develop a training experience that is practical, relational, and rooted in real-world applications. What Custom Trainings Might Include: •Staff or volunteer burnout support •Navigating trauma in your church or community •Conflict resolution and communication workshops •Leadership development for lay leaders •Mental health awareness (e.g., depression, anxiety, grief, dementia) for specific groups (e.g., youth, seniors, first responders) •Spiritual care during community crises •How to have hard conversations (e.g., suicide, abuse, grief) •Building a culture of care within your organization How It Works: 1.We Listen: Tell us about your needs, audience, and goals 2.We Design: We create a custom training plan with topics, tools, and timelines 3.We Deliver: In-person workshops or retreat-style events with interactive learning 4.We Follow Up: Optional coaching, materials, or planning support after the training Who It’s For: •Churches and faith-based organizations •Schools, nonprofits, and community centers •Rural groups facing specific challenges •Teams with a desire to grow in relational or emotional support Why It Matters: One-size-fits-all doesn’t work when it comes to people. Your community has its own challenges, strengths, and story, and we want to honor that. Customized training allows us to meet you where you are and walk with you toward lasting impact. Cost: $300 for ½ day or $525 for full day training Minimum 1/2 day consultation prior to to consult about the identified training need Consultation Cost: $300 for ½ day or $525 for full day consultation
Suicide Prevention & Intervention
At Arms Stretched Wide, we believe every person deserves to be seen, heard, and supported, especially in their darkest moments. Our Suicide Prevention & Intervention Training equips everyday people with the knowledge and confidence to recognize warning signs, respond with care, and connect individuals to the help they need. This in-person training is rooted in ASW’s core values: Relationships, Compassion, and Empowerment, and can be adapted for faith-based or non-faith-based audiences. What Participants Will Learn: •How to identify common warning signs of suicide •How to engage in safe, compassionate conversations •Steps for early intervention and safety planning •How to connect someone to professional help and community resources •The impact of stigma, silence, and isolation, and how to respond with empathy and truth Who This Training Is For: •Church leaders and pastoral care teams •First responders, educators, and community volunteers •Friends, family members, or coworkers wanting to help •Rural communities with limited access to mental health services •Any group wanting to be proactive in suicide awareness and prevention Format & Delivery: •In-person training sessions led by ASW facilitators trained in crisis response and trauma care •Can be tailored for short workshops, half-day trainings, or full-day events •Interactive and relational, includes real-life scenarios and discussion •Optional integration of biblical principles for faith-based groups Why It Matters: Suicide is not just a statistic; it’s a deeply personal tragedy. And far too often, people don’t know how to respond until it’s too late. At ASW, we equip people to walk toward those who are hurting, not away from them. Cost: $300 for ½ day of group training
Abuse Prevention & Aftercare
The Church should be the safest place on earth. Sadly, many individuals carry deep wounds, some even inflicted within faith communities. That’s why ASW offers Abuse Prevention & Aftercare Training. This is a specialized, in-person workshop designed for church leaders, volunteers, and ministry teams who are committed to creating safe spaces for abuse prevention, healing, accountability, and restoration. This training is guided by ASW’s core values, Relationships, Compassion, and Empowerment, and led by facilitators experienced in trauma-informed care and ministry dynamics. We help churches move beyond awareness to action, building cultures that prevent abuse and walk with survivors in the aftermath. What This Training Covers: •Understanding the dynamics and red flags of abuse (emotional, spiritual, physical, sexual) •Creating a culture of safety: leadership accountability, clear policies, and prevention practices •Trauma-informed responses when abuse is disclosed •Supporting survivors with grace, truth, and appropriate referrals •Biblical perspectives on justice, healing, and restoration •When and how to report: legal and ethical considerations for churches Who It’s For: •Pastors and elders •Ministry leaders and small group facilitators •Children's and youth ministry workers •Volunteer teams •Church staff and administrative leaders Format & Delivery: •In-person training sessions (half-day or customized to your needs) •Real-life scenarios, policy reviews, and action planning •Optional private consultation for church leadership following the session •Exclusively offered in a faith-based format, grounded in biblical truth and accountability Why It Matters: Churches should be known as places of refuge, not silence or harm. Abuse flourishes in confusion and secrecy. But healing begins when churches choose clarity, courage, and compassion. This training empowers your team to protect the vulnerable, respond to survivors with wisdom, and rebuild trust where it’s been broken. Cost: $300 for ½ day or $525 for full day group training
Support Groups & Leadership
Community starts with connection, and connection leads to healing. At Arms Stretched Wide, we believe support groups can change lives when they are led with purpose, compassion, and care. Our Support Groups & Leadership Training equips churches and communities to launch and sustain meaningful groups that offer a safe space for growth, healing, and accountability. This training is rooted in ASW’s core values: Relationships, Compassion, and Empowerment, and gives leaders both the heart and practical tools needed to create support environments that last. What Kind of Groups Can We Help Launch or Strengthen? ASW can help you train leaders and facilitators for: •Grief support groups (e.g., GriefShare) •Divorce recovery groups (e.g., DivorceCare) •Addiction and recovery groups (e.g., Celebrate Recovery) •Financial Wellness Groups (e.g., Financial Peace University) •Mental health and emotional support groups •Dementia caregiver support groups •Caregiver support groups •Men’s and women’s growth groups •Faith-based small groups and community studies •Any small group designed to walk people through healing, transition, discipleship, or life change What the Training Includes: •Foundations of safe, effective support group leadership •Group setup, structure, and sustainability tips •Facilitator skills: listening, boundaries, handling emotions, and disruptions •Confidentiality, trauma sensitivity, and crisis-response basics •How to build trust and foster community •Faith-based and values-based (non-faith) options available Who This Is For: •Pastors and church leaders launching new care groups •Volunteers with a passion to lead, but who need equipping •Rural and small-town communities looking to create healing spaces •Anyone interested in leading with empathy, safety, and relational wisdom Training Format: •In-person workshop (half-day) •Interactive learning: small group planning time and Q&A •Optional follow-up coaching and consultation as your group launches Why It Matters: Healing happens in small rooms, not big stages. Support groups are one of the most powerful ways to help people feel seen, heard, and less alone. With the right leadership and structure, these spaces can become lifelines. Let ASW help you build the kind of group that changes stories and communities. Cost: $300 for ½ day or $525 for full day group training
Sponsor a Training
To sponsor a training please contact us or go to our GIVE TODAY page. If you would like to designate your training sponsorship to a specific organization, church, small group, or community please leave a message in the comment section. Help ASW get training to those in need!