The buzz about Chris
Here are the words of just a few of the diverse folks who have something to say about Chris Trout and Strengths in Focus.
"Rarely have I attended a program that has so strongly impacted me, both personally and professionally."
- Lucy Pulitzer, Executive Director
Community Cradle, Albany, NY
"Life coaching with Chris is a powerful, positive experience that I would highly recommend. His coaching includes appropriate doses of insightful analogies, meaningful assignments, genuine encouragement, thought-provoking questions, and practical action steps to reach your goal. Don’t let his gentle style fool you; he won’t let you get away with the same old excuses. What I have attained from working with Chris has definitely exceeded my expectations."
Cheryl Rau, Cheryl Rau Photography
Old Orchard Beach, ME
"Two days with Chris Trout gave me a renewed enthusiasm and commitment to support, not fix, kids. The information blended well with personal transformation work and provided a language for implementation."
- Jo Petrusa, Counselor
Chapel Hill Carrboro City Middle School, Smith Middle School
Chapel Hill, NC
"Chris' experience and energy leaves you in awe of the power of words...You really can transform lives just by changing the way you look at people. Chris is a valuable resource!"
- Cyndi Desrosiers, Project Director
Greater Waterville Communities for Children and Youth Prevention Coalition
Waterville, ME
"Knowing and working with so many organizations that work from the deficit model, I am so glad to have learned some skills that I can use to… look for strengths in all people."
- Ellea Farasworth, Home Visitor/Outreach Coordinator
Family First: Parents Are Teachers Too, Machias, ME
"It is so refreshing to participate in a training that encourages us, through evidence-based practice, to embrace the positive and wonderful qualities so often overlooked in our young people."
- Blair T. Jackson, School Social Worker
East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, NC
"This was one of the best presented, clear, and insightful trainings I have been to. It is also the most useful for my practice. I highly recommend it to anyone!"
- Christine McNulty Grant, MSW, Clinical Supervisor
Preble Street Teen Center, Portland, ME
"Chris was very inspiring. He was authentic, passionate, and powerful. "
- Suzanne Kaufman, Clinical Care Coordinator, BSN, RNC
Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY
"Chris' insight into looking for good and acknowledging strengths in individuals is inspiring. He suggests deep and compelling strategies for working with the most challenging individuals."
- Terrel Hoffman, Mentor
Port Orchard, WA
"Chris has a message for the ages. If every teacher was able to use these skills in their classrooms, we would have more youth who know who they are as people."
- Keandra Thompson, Parent/Community/School Liaison
Bremerton, WA
"As a veteran elementary school teacher, I found Chris' workshop very stimulating and thought provoking. It is easy to fall into the trap of focusing on student's deficits instead of advancing a student's strengths.'"
- Rick Goudzwaerd, Elementary School Counselor
Breida Glick Elementary
Poulsho, WA
"Chris takes the concept of strengths-based intervention to the place where it was intended...empowering kids with accountability and integrity."
- Leah R. Kyaio, Diversity and Mentoring Specialist
Central Kitsap School District, Silverdale, WA
"Chris was real and passionate about working in this field. It was great to be energized by someone who truly gets what we as service providers do in our work."
- Karla Reyes, Addictions Counselor
Alberta Alchol and Drug Abuse Commission
Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada
"It isn't every day I attend a conference where I come away feeling empowered with information I can ... put into practice in my everyday life, both at work and at home. I loved it!"
- Carol Hendricken, Success Mentor
"Pulling Together" Team, Drayton Valley, Alberta
"As a veteran teacher of 24 years in the classroom, I came away from Chris Trout's workshop feeling I had new strategies to help me build relationships with my students. You can teach an old teacher at new tricks!"
- Susan Keeler, 5th Grade Teacher
Dunsmuir Elementary, Dunsmuir, CA
"Parents are always told to focus on their children's strengths, but they are never told how to penetrate the negative feelings. This course demonstrated how parents, and anyone else working with kids, could cut through those negative feelings."
- Terry Steiner, Parenting Specialists
Tulelake/Newell Family Resource Center, Tulelake, CA
"If we are only defined by the worst thing we've done, what would be the point of going on. This training changes the lens through which we view our clients."
- Cathy S. McDowell, Grant Coordinator
Altamont Program, Schenectody, NY
"Your message was so positive and uplifting that I think many more parents and professionals need to hear how they can change their way of thinking and ENJOY the challenges that Young People present."
- Angie Arndt, parent, educator and community activist
Yarmouth, ME
"Chris is an engaging presenter whose enthusiasm, vast experience and wealth of meaningful stories combine beautifully together to create an enhanced learning experience. Thank you!"
- Tracey Stark, Youth Worker
Ontario, CA
"Chris presented a perfect mix of focus inward and focus outward. I wish all of us in human services had the motivation and the tools to practice what we've learned here - we'd have much more efficient and effective systems, and youth and families with more hope love and success."
- Misty Stenslie, Deputy Director
Foster Care Alumni of America
Washington, DC
"Let me just say that my staff has never been so amazed and involved in a training before. They still are asking when you can come back."
- Linda McKinney, Director
Girl's Transitional Program, Youth Alternatives
Portland, ME