Applicants must have completed their Bachelor’s Degree to be eligible to participate in this certificate.
Ways to Learn
Quick Facts
- 1 Year Full-Time
- 2 Years Part-Time
- 20 Units
- Weekend Intensives
This Program is Now Available at NU
The Academic Certificate in Trauma Studies program has been relocated to JFK School of Psychology at NU. To learn more, visit the new program page.
Overview
In recent years, our increased understanding of the neurological underpinnings of trauma, and our greater appreciation for its dramatic impact on individual, families, and societies, have created the need for practitioners possessing both the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to work effectively and humanely with trauma sufferers.
Available in both one and two-year formats, the JFK University Certificate in Trauma Studies offers current students and practicing professionals the opportunity to expand their knowledge in this area that is of vital importance to an array of industries, including Medical Care, Mental Health, Rehabilitation, and Public Health.
Highlights
- Developed and taught by clinical practitioners and academics experienced in trauma studies
- One or two-year courses of study
- Covers basic skills in trauma assessment and diagnosis, as well as a wide range of intervention methods
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
Program participants gain a better understanding of the psychological and physiological roots of trauma and different approaches to its treatment, including multicultural perspectives. This increased understanding makes them better equipped to deal with trauma-related issues in an ethical, humane, and effective manner across a broad range of clinical and non-clinical settings.
Program Relocation Information
National University is establishing an NU East Bay branch campus, where the JFK School of Psychology will be housed. The JFK School of Psychology consists of the following programs: Masters in Consciousness and Transformative Studies (CTS); Masters in Counseling Psychology; Masters in Sport Psychology; Doctor of Clinical Psychology; and Academic Certificate in Trauma Studies.
Curriculum
Fall - First Year
Units
Foundations of Trauma Studies TSC5001
3
This course introduces students to the biological, psychological, developmental and cultural factors that contribute to stress and trauma and provides an overview of the personal, biological and systemic impacts of trauma. Students will become familiar with the foundational concepts within trauma theory, will examine impressed to stress reduction, trauma management techniques and will explore the concepts of resourcing and resilience. Techniques that will be introduced are progressive relaxation, meditation, mindfulness practices, visualization, autogenic and somatic techniques such as breath work, grounding, movement practices, conscious self-regulation and emotional, spiritual and somatic resources.
The Neurobiology of Trauma TSC5002
2
This course provides an understanding of the psychobiology and neurobiology of trauma and how to work with trauma within a neurobiological framework. Conceptual distinctions will be made between developmental bonding, developmental trauma, and shock trauma. Guidance will be provided regarding how to address different kinds of symptom presentations from within a neurobiological treatment perspective. Topics covered include: tracking and making contact with sensorimotor experience, pendulation, window of tolerance, hyper versus hypotonic trauma responses, somatic experience, trauma releasing processes, phase oriented treatment, establishing mindfulness, stabilization and resourcing, spirituality and trauma, and models of understanding and treating dissociation and fragmentation.
Winter - First Year
Units
Attachment and Developmental Approaches to Trauma TSC5003
3
This course focuses on the specific impact of trauma on healthy attachment and individual development. Impacts of trauma on the developing brain and the repercussions of trauma on human relational development will be explored. Chronic early trauma has an impact on psychological, emotional, sensory and neurological development. This class will identify risks, interventions, and assessments for working with individuals that may have been affected by the early developmental traumas of long-term neglect, repeated abuse and poor early childhood care, as well as situational traumas that may impact or limit natural developmental cycles.
Assessment and Treatment Planning for Trauma TSC5004
1
This course will introduce practical approaches for diagnosis, assessment and treatment planning for clients that may be impacted by trauma. Case management, team based care, additional resourcing, goal setting, phase oriented treatment, working with differential diagnosis, co-occurring disorders and resistance will be covered.
Legal and Ethical Issues in Trauma TSC5005
1
This course will familiarize students with existing legal and ethical issues facing clients who have experienced trauma. Mandates to report as well as working with the client to integrate their experiences of trauma will be considered as well as an examination of personal values and biases.
Spring - First Year
Units
Somatic Approaches to Trauma TSC5006
3
Students will learn to help clients resource, stabilize, process, metabolize and integrate personal and historical experiences of trauma, as well as ongoing challenges with activation. This course will provide maps, models and the development of skills within the Phase Oriented treatment model. Topics covered will include: studying the organization of experience, tracking and making contact with felt-experience, establishing somatic mindfulness, pendulation, coping dynamics, regulating traumatic arousal, framing and assessing, stabilization and resourcing. Models of understanding and treating dissociation and fragmentation, and memory processing will be taught and practiced.
Working with Trauma in Family Systems TSC5007
2
This class will focus on the impact of trauma on the family system from a unification de-unification point of view exploring negative impacts as well as resilience within the family unit. Students will learn the application of systemic theories in the treatment of families in therapy. Focus on full family interventions as well as individual insight into systemic issues will be addressed. Considerations regarding diversity, confidentiality and systemic impacts of trauma will be explored.
Summer - First Year
Units
Art-Based Interventions for Trauma TSC5008
2
This course will introduce students to a variety of multi modal art based interventions that can be used in individual, family and group settings to enhance sensory integration, organize narrative responses and find voice in art as healing responses to trauma. This experiential class will introduce a variety of art based tools that the practitioner can use for clients who have acute or long term traumatic histories.
Working with Systemic Trauma: Self, Culture, and Society TSC5009
2
This course will look at the impact of institutionalized racism, bias and marginalization as well as the isolative effects of acute trauma on the client and how these systemic issues can be worked with in a therapeutic session. Issues of diversity, privilege and human potential will be explored. Student’s own cultural identities will be explored as well as issues related to bias and projection.
Vicarious Trauma and Self Care TSC5010
1
This course focuses on the experience of the mental health provider in a trauma based practice and ways to work with and through the emotional content of the client toward better self-care and as an antidote to burn-out and empathy fatigue. Students will explore ways they can build healthy boundaries, release the tensions of day and find ways to care for self toward a continuation of long term practice.
Winter - First Year
Units
Attachment and Developmental Approaches to Trauma TSC5003
3
This course focuses on the specific impact of trauma on healthy attachment and individual development. Impacts of trauma on the developing brain and the repercussions of trauma on human relational development will be explored. Chronic early trauma has an impact on psychological, emotional, sensory and neurological development. This class will identify risks, interventions, and assessments for working with individuals that may have been affected by the early developmental traumas of long-term neglect, repeated abuse and poor early childhood care, as well as situational traumas that may impact or limit natural developmental cycles.
Assessment and Treatment Planning for Trauma TSC5004
1
This course will introduce practical approaches for diagnosis, assessment and treatment planning for clients that may be impacted by trauma. Case management, team based care, additional resourcing, goal setting, phase oriented treatment, working with differential diagnosis, co-occurring disorders and resistance will be covered.
Legal and Ethical Issues in Trauma TSC5005
1
This course will familiarize students with existing legal and ethical issues facing clients who have experienced trauma. Mandates to report as well as working with the client to integrate their experiences of trauma will be considered as well as an examination of personal values and biases.
Summer - First Year
Units
Art-Based Interventions for Trauma TSC5008
2
This course will introduce students to a variety of multi modal art based interventions that can be used in individual, family and group settings to enhance sensory integration, organize narrative responses and find voice in art as healing responses to trauma. This experiential class will introduce a variety of art based tools that the practitioner can use for clients who have acute or long term traumatic histories.
Working with Systemic Trauma: Self, Culture, and Society TSC5009
2
This course will look at the impact of institutionalized racism, bias and marginalization as well as the isolative effects of acute trauma on the client and how these systemic issues can be worked with in a therapeutic session. Issues of diversity, privilege and human potential will be explored. Student’s own cultural identities will be explored as well as issues related to bias and projection.
Vicarious Trauma and Self Care TSC5010
1
This course focuses on the experience of the mental health provider in a trauma based practice and ways to work with and through the emotional content of the client toward better self-care and as an antidote to burn-out and empathy fatigue. Students will explore ways they can build healthy boundaries, release the tensions of day and find ways to care for self toward a continuation of long term practice.