Trauma Therapy Online Courses: Training For Mental Health Professionals
Trauma-informed care can be seen as the cornerstone of mental health treatment, whether a client is living with a trauma and stressor-related disorder or another mental health condition. Millions of people experience trauma during their lives, and therapists may benefit from preparing themselves to effectively support these individuals.
Online trauma therapy courses for mental health professionals
Taking quality trauma therapy online courses can be one way to do so. Therapists may also choose to offer their services online to provide more accessible care to those who have experienced trauma.
What is trauma?
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines trauma as “an emotional response to a terrible event.” These events are often life-threatening or put an individual in severe physical or emotional danger.
Common types of traumatic events in trauma-informed care
Traumatic events can include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Abuse (emotional, physical, sexual, financial, etc.)
- Neglect
- Sexual harassment
- Natural disasters
- Violence and crime
- Imprisonment
- Homelessness
- Loss of a loved one
- Financial insecurity
- Betrayal
- War
- Accidents
- Racism, homophobia, and other forms of identity-based violence or oppression
Trauma can contribute to various symptoms both shortly after the event and years later. Trauma and stressor-related disorders may develop for some people, including those listed below:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Acute stress disorder
- Reactive attachment disorder (only in children)
- Disinhibited social engagement disorder (only in children)
- Adjustment disorder
- Prolonged grief disorder
- Other specified trauma and stressor-related disorders
These conditions often involve symptoms like avoidance, dependence, fear, hypervigilance, and distressing memories of the traumatic event.
In quality trauma-informed care, recognizing the impact of these events is essential to providing appropriate support and interventions for individuals— both kids and adults affected by trauma.
Complex PTSD and trauma responses
Some people may experience severe and repeated trauma throughout their childhood and adult lives, which may lead to a diagnosis of complex PTSD (C-PTSD). While this is not an official or clinical diagnostic label, it is used by some therapists to describe the unique symptoms people experience when they face repeated developmental trauma.
Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event develops a disorder. However, trauma can still have emotional and physical impacts on a person, regardless of whether they have an official diagnosis. In addition, people who witness a traumatic event can also have trauma responses. One does not have to directly experience an event to be traumatized by it.
What are trauma therapy online courses?
- Common therapeutic modalities for trauma treatment
- Symptoms of trauma- and stressor-related disorders
- Information on co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorders
- Ways to offer trauma-informed care
- Ways to support a client through a traumatic event
- How to facilitate trauma healing
How to find an online course as a provider
Several trauma therapy training courses for a team of trauma therapists exist online. Official certifications may be offered through organizations like the Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute (TICI). This organization offers modules on eye movement reprocessing and desensitization therapy (EMDR), courses and programs on intensive trauma-focused therapy, art therapy, attachment, and social justice work. After these online courses and programs, therapists as participants can earn the label of “Certified Intensive Therapist,” and they can use what they learned, including their mastery of complex concepts and experience in trauma-informed care, to treat clients.
Participants may also find quality trauma therapist training and courses by searching online for this term. Becoming a trauma therapist often involves continued learning and mastery throughout your career, as research is continually being expanded and improved.
Updating trauma knowledge beyond the DSM-5
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) can be a helpful guide for you to learn more. However, it was published in 2013, and some information may not be based on current best practices and research.
Keeping up with evolving trauma concepts
For that reason, therapists may also benefit from learning more about conditions like C-PTSD, as well as developmental trauma and attachment styles in their practice, to find ways to treat clients with more complex trauma histories.
How to practice trauma-informed care
Trauma-informed care often involves a delicate balance between education, experience, and personalization. Therapists may foster a more inclusive practice in the following ways.
Take continued education units (CEUs)
Outside of full online trauma training courses and programs, a trauma therapist can take continued education units (CEUs) on topics related to trauma and trauma-informed care. These units are often required to remain licensed in many states.
Supplementary trauma therapy online courses for mental health professionals
However, even if they are not required for you, taking these courses and programs may expand your knowledge and can be quicker to complete than a full trauma therapist training course. Mental health professionals can also add these courses to their resume, which may be helpful when looking for clients who fit their desired client base in their practice.
Understand intersectionality and trauma
Trauma can impact people differently based on their identities. Some groups of people can experience different forms of trauma than others. For example, people who identify with the label Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) may experience racial trauma. In addition, transgender individuals may experience transphobia and a higher risk of hate crimes, which can lead to conditions like PTSD.
Cultural competency and inclusion in therapy
Therapists can foster an environment of inclusion in their practice by understanding that these forms of trauma can look different from others. Taking programs, online courses, or CEUs about inclusive care may also be helpful.
Providers can use inclusive language, share their pronouns, advertise their office as a safe space, be open to asking about different cultures and needs, and work with clients from all backgrounds. If a therapist is not personally part of one of these identity groups, they can ask their clients how to best support them instead of assuming what they may need.
Some clients may find that their identity significantly impacts how they approach therapy, whereas others may not be interested in discussing their identities at all. When being an ally, try to avoid performative actions in your practice like speaking for your clients, assuming the ways they will act, or centering their identity in all conversations if this wasn’t requested.
Be open to growth
Trauma-informed care may also involve experience in practice. Over time, therapists can learn which approaches in their practice typically work best for clients as well as their families and loved ones who have experienced trauma. Ask for feedback frequently, and consider using this feedback to better tailor your approach to each client.
As you learn and gain more knowledge in your practice, ensure you grow, change, and find new ways to improve your techniques. Like research, therapy is also evolving, and the ways people offer support may not remain the same forever.
Staying stuck in the same approach in your practice for years can lead to difficulty when clients seek more modern methods of support. For example, past therapists may have taken a more behavioral approach to trauma therapy, asking clients to change their behaviors to work through trauma. However, more recent research shows that an empathetic approach and specific modalities, like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), may be more effective for treating trauma than traditional modalities.
Support options for people who have experienced trauma
Those living with trauma-related disorders may seek support from their families, loved ones, and mental health professionals, such as a therapist, but some are unsure who to contact and where to turn for help. Barriers like a lack of education and knowledge on treatment options or financial insecurity may prevent some individuals from asking for the support they deserve. In these cases, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp may be more convenient for interventions.
Online platforms can offer clients a more affordable way to get support, typically charging $65 to $100 a session. In addition, online platforms can offer increased flexibility and accessibility, allowing clients to choose the time, location, and type of appointment (phone, video, or online chat).
Studies show that internet-based therapy or online therapy can be effective in treating trauma disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to a 2022 study, online cognitive behavioral therapy with a trauma focus appeared to be non-inferior to its in-person counterpart when treating PTSD.
Takeaway
However, whether or not a client divulges trauma, it can be ideal to offer the same standard of care to each person who comes to a session. Online trauma courses can be one way to learn how to offer effective support. For therapists interested in working online and offering convenient trauma care, applying for an online therapy platform job may also be beneficial.
What is the best trauma training for therapists?
As mentioned in the article above, there are complete trauma courses and programs online that offer therapists and psychotherapists knowledge on how they can support trauma survivors. These courses may teach the team of participants about helpful topics such as:
- Complete training on common therapeutic modalities for trauma treatment
- Symptoms of trauma- and stressor-related disorders
- Information on co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorders
- Ways to offer trauma-informed care
- Ways to support a client through a traumatic event
- Training on how to facilitate trauma healing
How do you become trauma-certified?
A psychotherapist must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for certification. Participants should complete several training courses, whether online programs or in-person courses, to become a certified clinical trauma professional (CTP) and then proceed to complete the application process.
Can you do trauma therapy virtually?
Yes, trauma survivors can complete interventions and trauma therapy with therapists, counselors, or psychotherapists virtually. Online service providers offer a cheaper and more convenient alternative to in-person therapy. Online therapy with psychotherapists and counselors from online platforms such as BetterHelp may cost $70 to $100 per week. The online platforms offer a more flexible option for clients and trauma survivors. As compared to in-person therapy, online platforms provide options regarding location, time, and type of appointment with therapists, counselors, and clinicians.
What is the difference between therapists and trauma therapists?
General therapists, counselors, and clinicians provide mental health services that can address a broader range of mental health issues and mental health conditions. On the other hand, trauma therapists have more specialized training with therapy techniques that can help trauma survivors and patients to process and heal from their traumatic experiences.
Is EMDR or CBT better for trauma?
EMDR and CBT offered by counselors and clinicians are both effective treatments and interventions for trauma survivors. However, EMDR is considered to be the faster and more direct approach for processing traumatic memories, and therefore, reducing symptoms of trauma. Interventions using EMDR therapy with counselors enable trauma survivors to process specific traumatic events in a controlled setting through bilateral stimulation.
What are the levels of trauma therapy?
There are four stages of trauma recovery for trauma survivors. These are:
- Safety and stabilization
- Remembrance and mourning
- Reconnecting and integrating
- Consolidation and resolution
How do I start trauma therapy?
To start your trauma therapy, you can begin by searching for trauma-informed therapists, counselors, and clinicians with ample training and skills who are experts on trauma care. They can offer a supportive and safe environment where you can ask questions and share without any hesitations. With the support of this therapeutic relationship, you can then learn and explore different therapeutic approaches like EMDR or CBT to complete your treatment.
How many mental health therapy sessions for trauma?
According to the American Psychological Association, the duration for trauma therapy with mental health professionals such as counselors and therapists varies, but therapies that work for trauma survivors may typically be completed over 12-16 sessions in either individual format or group therapy interventions.
What therapy is used to let go of trauma?
Trauma-focused therapies and interventions with counselors are therapeutic methods. They can address the effects of traumatic experiences on younger populations as well as adult survivors of trauma. Therapies used by therapists and counselors to address or complete treatment for trauma include:
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
- Trauma focus
- Prolonged exposure therapy
What makes a good trauma therapist?
Before finalizing care with your trauma therapist, trauma survivors may want to ask for an appointment for an initial consultation with potential therapists or counselors. You can ask them questions— questions that will help you determine who they are as a therapist. Questions to ask should ideally probe their skills development and what specific forms of therapy the therapists are experts in and are certified to provide to their clients.
While many different types of mental health professionals, clinicians, counselors, and therapists are able to provide trauma-related therapies or treatment that could work, psychologists with a doctorate are experts. They typically have more extensive training and perhaps more effective skills compared to other mental health professionals and clinicians, such as clinical social workers or mental health counselors. Potential trauma therapists for trauma survivors should strive to understand and learn more about their clients. They may need to be respectful, compassionate, and competent.
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