Trauma is a pervasive issue affecting individuals and communities globally. Many clinicians lack a deep understanding of the neurobiological and relational impacts of trauma. This learning gap leaves them ill-prepared to identify its signs or approach clients with the necessary sensitivity. This gap becomes more pronounced in cases involving intergenerational trauma, relational disruptions, and cultural contexts that require more responsive care. This course addresses the widespread need for clinicians to develop foundational knowledge in trauma and its effects on brain development, attachment systems, and emotional regulation, which are critical for recovery and resilience.
This course is ideal for mental health professionals, including family therapists, counselors, psychologists and social workers, who are either new to trauma-informed care or seeking to solidify their foundational understanding. It is also well-suited for practitioners who work with diverse populations and want to deepen their ability to recognize trauma-related behaviors and systemic impacts. Even for those familiar with trauma, this course provides an opportunity to refine their knowledge and apply evidence-based assessment tools in culturally responsive ways.
This course emphasizes the latest research on trauma's neurobiological impacts. We incorporate concepts like the Polyvagal Theory and the role of epigenetics in intergenerational trauma. It also includes tools and frameworks for culturally responsive assessments, which are often overlooked in traditional training. Participants will acquire evidence-based approaches that build their competency in evaluating trauma’s effects and selecting assessments that honor a client’s cultural and relational background.
By the end of this training, participants will be able to define trauma, understand its prevalence and impact on individuals and communities, and explain its neurobiological effects. They will also evaluate and select trauma-informed assessment tools with cultural competence. These skills will help clinicians identify trauma and create therapeutic relationships that nurture safety and create trust.
The practical changes participants will gain from this course are critical for addressing trauma at its roots. By understanding the underlying mechanisms of trauma, clinicians can approach their clients with empathy and accuracy. This course prepares clinicians to meet the unique needs of trauma survivors and lays a strong foundation for them to learn more advanced trauma-informed care.
Learning Objectives:
- Define trauma and describe its prevalence and impact on individuals and communities.
- Explain the neurobiological effects of trauma on brain development and functioning.
- Explain the role of disrupted attachment on relational trauma.
- Evaluate and select culturally appropriate trauma-informed assessment tools, competencies, and models.
Availability: From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.
Who Should Attend: This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.
Teaching Methods: This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.
How to Attend: Instructions for attending and completing a course can be found here.
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Sofia Georgiadou, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC-S (Texas)
Dr. Sofia Georgiadou is an Assistant Professor and Internship Coordinator at the University of Houston at Clear Lake’s MA in Family Therapy Program. Additionally, she teaches as an Adjunct for the Family Institute at Northwestern University and Capella University's fully online Master's in Family Therapy program. She is also the administrator of COAST’s Educators Division, the Society for the Teaching of Marriage and Family Therapy (www.stmft.coastmft.org).
Originally from Greece, Sofia develops culturally responsive MFT and Counseling courses, using an intersectional approach in her teaching and supervision. Her research experience centers on qualitative/mixed methods and survey design. Sofia seeks to understand the lived experiences of diverse groups to better support international students, immigrants, and individuals from equity-deserving communities.
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Sarah Stewart-Spencer, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, CH, CCTP
Dr. Sarah Stewart-Spencer is a clinical provider specializing in trauma and an accomplished leader in higher education and counseling. Dr. Stewart-Spencer is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida, and Nationally Certified Counselor. She is also certified as a First Responder Provider, Hypnotherapist and a Clinical Trauma Professional.
Dr. Stewart-Spencer is the owner of the Integrated Wellness Institute and Stewart-Spencer Consulting. She is currently an Associate Professor (adjunct faculty) at The Chicago School for Professional Psychology. She is a course developer and trainer at the International Trauma Training Institute, as well as maintains a private practice for high-risk trauma exposed populations, such as law enforcement. She is the former Dean of Behavioural Sciences at Yorkville University, Canada’s largest and leading online counselor education graduate program. Programs there include the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and Doctorate in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Professional contributions include numerous publications, and presentations at the local, regional, state, national and international level. She is a creator of the national First Responder Treatment Provider certification training program. She is the Editor and Founder of Therapeutic Speakeasy Quarterly, which is a peer-reviewed electronic journal for the helping profession. She also served as the Editor of The Humanistic Counselor, a publication of the Association for Humanistic Counseling.
Her published books include Metaphors and Therapy: Enhancing Clinical Supervision and Education and a Routledge publication, Metaphors in Counselor Education and Supervision. These teaching guides break though ambiguity in counselor education and training by introducing a variety of metaphors to help instructors and supervisors.
She has also practiced in a variety of roles and settings, such crisis/emergency, community mental health, outpatient counseling, psychiatric inpatient, court-appointed assessments, consultation, and a clinical director of a private agency. She served in multiple leadership roles throughout the professional field, such as the board of the Virginia Clinical Counselors Alliance and University TeleMental Health Training Advisory Forum. She has also served as a committee member at the Association for Creative Counseling and Association for Humanistic Counseling.
Disclosure Statement: The instructors for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.
Credit Hours: This course consists of 4 continuing education hours of credit.
Counselors:
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Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.
Marriage and Family Therapists: Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations. You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.
Social Workers:
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Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 4 clinical continuing education credits.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.
Psychologists:
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Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.
Art Therapists: Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.
Other Professionals: This course qualifies for 240 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course.
