Course Fee: $459 (Canadian currency)
This certificate course in Trauma Counselling will equip you with the concepts and skills required for working more effectively in this field. It is ideal for professionals such as nurses, doctors, teachers, pastors, social workers and counsellors – or for those with an interest in trauma counselling.
Specifically, this course is designed to enrich your understanding of the following important areas: an introduction to trauma; the footprints of trauma; trauma-related disorders; the road to healing; trauma recovery models; working with traumatized children and youth; and moral and ethical issues in trauma counselling.
There is no prior knowledge or experience required to embark on this useful certificate course. You are free to commence at a time that suits your schedule – and to continue at your pace for a period of six months. Full tutor support is provided for this course.
Note: The Online Counselling College uses a person-centred approach, and Egan’s The Skilled Helper Model.
SYLLABUS
Module 1: Introduction to Trauma
Topics Studied
• What is a trauma?
• What leads to trauma?
• Trauma and the brain
• Risk factors increasing the likelihood of trauma
• Factors which increase resilience
• The role of triggers
• Important points about remembering a trauma
• Essential counsellor qualities
• Basic counselling skills
• Effective listening
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Explain what trauma is
• List risk factors which might increase the likelihood of trauma
• Suggest factors which may enhance resilience, and help protect against being traumatized
Module 2: The Footprints of Trauma
Topics Studied
• The biology of stress and trauma
• A bias against what is good and nurturing
• Understanding dissociation
• Understanding numbing
• Trauma and feelings of guilt and shame
• A focus on incest and sexual abuse
• Typical feelings experienced by survivors of sexual abuse
• Some thoughts on feeling broken …
• Reactions to trauma across the life span
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Describe the biology of stress and trauma
• List five forms of dissociation
• Explain the relationship between trauma, guilt and shame
Module 3: Trauma Related Disorders
Topics Studied
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Acute stress disorder
• Panic disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Dissociative disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Addictions and trauma
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Distinguish between Acute Stress Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Describe the symptoms associated with major depressive disorder
• Suggest tips for dealing with flashbacks
Module 4: The Road to Healing
Topics Studied
• The ten tasks of healing
• The journey towards healing
• The trauma vortex
• Reducing your arousal (or activation) level
• The role of relaxation
• The role of CBT and challenging our thinking
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Some additional interventions and therapies
• Trauma, grief and loss
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Summarise the ten tasks of healing
• Describe the trauma vortex
• Explain the value of CBT in challenging and changing thoughts related to a trauma
Module 5: Trauma Recovery Models; and Working with Traumatized Children and Youth
Topics Studied
• The stage specific model
• The self trauma model
• The phase-oriented treatment model
• Counselling traumatized children
• What is play therapy?
• Basic play therapy skills
• Teenagers and group work
• Therapeutic activities for children and teenagers
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Describe the stage specific model
• List basic play therapy skills
• Suggest therapeutic activities that are helpful when working with children and youth
Module 6: Morals and Ethics in Trauma Counselling
Topics Studied
• Ethical framework for good practice in counselling
• Ethical principles for good practice in counselling
• Counsellor personal moral qualities
• Providing a good standard of practice and care
• Counselling supervision
• What if my client is suicidal?
• Ambivalent clients
• Protection against future suicide attempts
• Structuring a crisis counselling session
• Advice on how to handle a suicidal caller
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Defend the ethical principles associated with good practice
• List the personal moral qualities associated with good practice
• Suggest ways of dealing with a suicidal caller
Suggested textbook for the course (to be purchased by the student)
Van der Kolk, B. (2015). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. London: Penguin.