
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
- Department
- Program Contact
-
Associate Professor / Program Director

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.
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.
- 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:
- Online application
- Official college transcripts with a confirmed degree awarded (3.0+ GPA)
- 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. - 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.
Program Faculty
Applying to Graduate Programs
Apply
-
Application Process
Review the step-by-step application process for graduate school at Commonwealth University.
-
By starting your application, you gain access to your personalized application portal to view your progress.
-
Contact Us
If you have questions, we have answers. Contact us today!
Explore More
-
Grad Assistantships
Help finance your grad degree. Gain professional experience. Grow your network.
-
Tuition and Fees
Earning an advanced degree is an investment in your future. See just how affordable a graduate degree can be for you.
-
Understanding Financial Aid
Our Financial Aid team is your guide to navigating the aid process for your graduate degree.