Course Fee: $459 (Canadian currency)
This certificate course will equip you with the skills and knowledge that’s required to work with children and teenagers who’ve experienced trauma, grief or loss. It is ideal for professionals such as teachers, therapists, counsellors, psychologists and social workers – or for those with an interest in trauma counselling.
Specifically, this course is designed to enrich your understanding of the following keys areas: an introduction to trauma, grief and loss; the complicated journey through trauma, grief and loss; the impact on the family; play therapy and expressive techniques; psychological first aid; and the successful management of a crisis or trauma.
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: An Introduction to Trauma, Grief & Loss
Topics Studied
• What is a trauma?
• Trauma and the brain
• Risk factors increasing the likelihood of trauma
• Factors which increase resilience
• A look at grief and loss
• Confronting death
• Differentiating between grief and mourning
• Some suggestions for adults who’re supporting traumatized and grieving children
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 Complicated Journey through Trauma, Grief & Loss
Topics Studied
• Tracing a path through death, grief and loss
• Nonfinite grief and loss
• Children and teenagers who lose a limb
• Complicated mourning/ abnormal grieving
• What leads to complicated mourning?
• Childhood traumatic grief
• How to help a child who’s suffering from traumatic grief
• Resonating trauma
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the lifelong consequences of trauma
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Suggest what leads to complicated mourning
• Explain what is meant by “resonating trauma”
• Discuss the long term consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Module 3: The Impact on the Family
Topics Studied
• The role of attachment theory
• Trauma and the family
• Negative or trauma bonding
• How children and teenagers process and react to a trauma, death or loss
• How trauma continues to affect us over time
• Some thoughts on how professionals can help
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Describe different attachment relationships
• List the ways that trauma affects us over time
• Outline what is meant by negative or trauma bonding
Module 4: Play therapy & Expressive Techniques
Topics Studied
• What is play therapy?
• Basic play therapy skills
• Teenagers and group work
• Therapeutic activities for children and youth
• Rational behaviour therapy
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Describe play therapy techniques and skills
• Explain how to use REBT in their work with older children
• Select therapeutic activities that are useful when working with children and youth
Module 5: Psychological First Aid
Topics Studied
• The key objectives of Psychological First Aid
• Requirements for providing Psychological First Aid
• The core elements of Psychological First Aid
• The value of ritual
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• List the key objectives of Psychological First Aid
• Outline the requirements for providing Psychological First Aid
• Describe the core elements of Psychological First Aid
Module 6: The Successful Management of a Crisis or Trauma
Topics Studied
• Formulating a Crisis Response Plan
• Debriefing responsibilities of the Crisis Response Team
• Helping interventions with different grades and ages
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in children
• Supportive interventions for different grades and ages
• The crisis of suicide
• Ethical framework for good practice in counselling
• The counsellor’s personal moral qualities
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Formulate a Crisis Response Plan
• List the main objectives of a crisis-related debriefing meeting
• Suggest ways of supporting young people who’re impacted by the crisis of suicide.
Suggested textbook for the course (to be purchased by the student)
Gordon, J.D., & Doka, K.J. (2016). Living with grief: Children, adolescents and loss. (2nd Ed.). Abingdon: Routledge.