This introductory course will explore the topic of emotional and psychological trauma and how to provide caring, compassionate, and empathetic services that are trauma-informed. Trauma doesn’t discriminate; it affects people of every race, age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic level. Trauma can be a single isolated event or a series of events, and a traumatic experience involves some type of a threat to one’s physical or emotional well-being and can bring out feelings of terror, helplessness, and lack of control and power.

Traumatic experiences can impact and alter an individual’s perception of themselves, their world, and the people around them and can disrupt the victim’s biological, cognitive, and emotional functioning as well as their identity, relationships, and social interactions.

As service providers, it is imperative that we implement care and services that follow the tenets and principles of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC).

In this course, you will learn about several principles and tenets of TIC. You will be challenged and inspired to provide the best care possible to those who have been affected by the ravages of traumatic experiences.

Upon completion of this course you will:

• Be able to define trauma

• Recognize various types of trauma

• Understand trauma’s impact on mental and physical health

• Understand the Adverse Child Experiences (ACE) Study

• Describe and understand principles & tenets of Trauma-Informed Care

• Recognize the importance of responding to trauma disclosures appropriately

• Understand the importance of managing vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue

• Recognize trauma’s impact on society