Introduction to Working Therapeutically with Complex Trauma Clients (Level 1)
This one-day interactive professional development training provides practitioners with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to work in counselling and/or therapeutic relationships with adult survivors of complex trauma. It is designed for clinicians and specialist workers who provide counselling support to trauma survivors.
This session is part of a training series. This one-day Level 1 training introduces the three phased approach to trauma treatment, and Phase 1 work, and is a precursor to a two-day Level 2 training program which focusses more on Phases 2 and 3. Both trainings use case scenarios to embed learning.
This training presents best practice principles for working with complex trauma clients, drawing on current research in trauma theory and therapy, attachment, affective neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology. It differentiates complex trauma from single incident trauma (PTSD) and explores the importance of a phased approach for complex trauma clients with a primary focus on safety and stabilisation in phase 1 work.
This training provides essential knowledge, insights and tools to enhance clinical practice and possibilities for recovery for complex trauma clients who experience challenges around adaptive coping strategies, arousal, emotional regulation, attachment and safety.
By participating in this professional development training, attendees will:
- Apply knowledge of the types, prevalence, dynamics and impacts of individual, complex and collective trauma
- Apply an understanding of the stress response, attachment, child development and a strengths-based three phased approach for complex trauma therapy
- Acquire knowledge and skills for Phase 1 (Safety and Stabilisation) including the importance of relationship in recovery, creating basic resources for managing challenging emotions and behaviours, and building / restoring safety resources
Material presented in the training will draw on research from Blue Knot Foundation's Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Complex Trauma and Trauma Informed Care and Service Delivery and other relevant research.