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Course Descriptions

Currently accepting applications Apply now >> Next program starts: Autumn 2008 Program location: Bellevue Next information meeting: Thursday, May 15 Thursday, June 12 (see details >>) Sign up to receive e-mail updates >> Contact a program representative >>   Program at a glance >>

This is an interactive "theory-and-research-applied-to-practice" Certificate Program, with considerable emphasis throughout the three program courses on experiential learning. The online dialogue and assignments included in this program are designed to support and enhance classroom learning. Students will review and practice specific skills and difficult clinical situations in each content area.

First Course

Foundations for Trauma Assessment and Treatment

Schedule: Friday Oct. 10, 1:00-7:00 p.m.; Saturdays Oct. 11, Nov. 8, and Dec. 6, 2008, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $932; 45 contact hours (27 classroom and 18 online).

Course content includes:

• What is currently known about trauma treatment
• The effects and associated conditions of various forms of violence and trauma
• Clinical and critical thinking about approaches to working with traumatized people, based on culture and context
• Neurobiology of trauma, as "translated" for mental health clinicians
• Theory and practice of individual crisis intervention after trauma
• Theory and practice of community crisis intervention, including disaster mental health
• Particular issues in providing treatment across cultures: refugees
• Vicarious traumatization and counter-transference in working with trauma
• Structured assessments of trauma in adults, including use of psychological measures
• Common medications in response to traumatization
• Importance of therapist/client relationship in trauma-specific therapy

Students will have the opportunity to refine conceptual understanding through use of case examples and demonstration role plays with practice clients.

Second Course

Interventions for Effects of Trauma - I

Schedule: 4 Saturdays, Jan. 10, Feb. 7, March 7 and March 28, 2009, 8:30am-4:30pm; $932; 45 contact hours (28 classroom and 17 online).

Course content includes:

• Assessment and treatment of traumatized children: theory, research and practice
• Current approaches to trauma-specific therapy with youth and adults across cultures: Cognitive Processing Therapy, Exposure Treatment, EMDR
• Thinking critically about innovations in the field
• Attending to vicarious traumatization
• Particular issues in providing treatment across cultures: U.S.-born ethnic communities

Students will have the opportunity to develop skills by interacting with practice clients, receiving coaching/feedback from instructors, viewing videotapes of real trauma treatment sessions and discussing with peers in affinity groups.

Third Course

Interventions for Effects of Trauma - II

Schedule: Saturday May 2, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Friday June 5, 1:00-7:00 p.m.; Saturday June 6, 2009, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $621; 30 contact hours (20 classroom and 10 online).

Course content includes:

• Attachment and working with clients with complex trauma
• Adjunct indigenous and spiritual approaches to healing from trauma
• Managing clinical process in trauma-specific treatment, including consideration of ethical dilemmas
• Approaches to traumatic grief
• Treatment of torture survivors
• Treatment of veterans
• Special circumstances: homelessness, substance abuse, legal involvement

Experiential learning facilitates the integration of theory and practice. Self-assessment and reflection writing throughout the program provide an opportunity for participants to focus learning in areas of specific interest.