Counselor holding hand of patient

Trauma-Informed Counseling (Post-Bacc Certificate)

Our Trauma-Informed Counseling certificate adds advanced courses focused on therapeutic techniques for mental health professionals.

Degrees & Offerings
  • Certificate
Location
  • Online
Illustration of Mountain
Clinical Mental Health Counseling faculty receiving an award

Program Overview

  • Program Foundation: Our Trauma-Informed Counseling certificate builds off the Foundations of Trauma-Informed Care certificate program and includes two more courses specifically geared toward mental health therapists as it focuses specifically on therapeutic techniques.
  • Curriculum Topics: The program will include a history on trauma informed care to include death and dying issues, assessments, diagnoses, evidence-based treatment strategies for trauma-informed care, crisis intervention and grief counseling, and self-care for mental health professionals working with trauma.
  • Program Purpose: The purpose of the Foundations of Trauma-informed Care Certificate Program is to provide an introduction to trauma-informed care for professionals in the field of human services to include all first responders, educators, physical and mental health care personnel, criminal justice personnel, etc.
  • Flexible Start Dates: Flexible start times to include August, January, and May.
  • Program Delivery: Courses are offered in a flexible 100% online (synchronous and asynchronous) format.

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Courses and Curriculum

Trauma-Informed Counseling Certificate Requirements

  • 12 credits required for certificate completion
  • Non-matriculated students, please schedule a meeting with the Program Director to find out more and to receive a program of study.
  • Matriculated students should meet with their academic advisor each semester and use to monitor their individual progress toward completion of the certificate.

Certificate Requirements

  • Students will comprehend the history of trauma theory to include various types of trauma that may impact an individual and the trauma informed care model.
  • Students will identify different assessment options, conceptualize trauma focused diagnoses (using the DSM-5 TR), and compare and contrast evidence-based treatment interventions for trauma informed care to include psychopharmacological interventions.
  • Students will assess death and dying issues and how they may impact an individual.
  • Students will conceptualize vicarious trauma, secondary traumatization, compassion fatigue, and the vitality of self-care for clinicians providing trauma counseling.

To complete the application process, students must submit:

  1. Online application
  2. Official college transcripts with a confirmed degree awarded (3.0+ GPA)
  3. One reference. These individuals must be professional; therefore, they cannot be a family, friend, or personal therapist.
    >> Names, phone numbers, and emails will be provided within the application. References will receive an email directly from the university to complete a survey regarding the applicant.
  4. Statement of professional goals. Applicants will complete the Professional Statement Form, which will address the following: Career Goals, Aptitude for Success in Online Learning, and Influential Counseling Factors.
    >> The form will be available to be completed in your portal after the application is submitted.

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