TRAUMA AND TRAUMA INFORMED CARE

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based upon material published in the SAMHSA¿s Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative and is available as an open access article. Trauma is a prevalent, damaging, and expensive health problem commonly seen in individuals today. Its risk factors are violence, abuse, neglect, loss, disaster, war, and any other emotionally draining or harmful experience. It has no boundaries in regards to age, gender, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Since it has become so common and widespread, it is necessary to address trauma. To do so, there needs to be an organizational or community context that is informed and knowledgeable on the implications of trauma. By supplying the proper support and interventions, people can overcome traumatic experiences. Individuals who have suffered from a traumatic experience thus fall under the need of many service sectors as many fall under the influence of drugs and alcohol or bring their experiences with them to their school/job setting. Ultimately trauma poses a big risk on patients¿ health. Program or system practices in play to help those under trauma must work on not being traumatic themselves. Thus, there is an increase focus on the impact of trauma and how service systems may help to resolve or exacerbate trauma-related issues. Many of these businesses are now implementing the framework of the trauma-informed approach which is the focus of this paper. This course on trauma and trauma informed care is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of trauma and trauma-informed approach. The course material includes a brief literature review. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal.