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Traumatic Stress Studies
Certificate Program
Enroll in the most comprehensive trauma certificate program
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The next training will begin on August 25, 2025.
Registration opening soon!
Full Program
RESGISTER TODAY for $999!
Your registration includes:
- 7 Months of online training
- Monthly Q&A sessions
- Work with leading trauma experts
An Invitation from Bessel van der Kolk
I wrote The Body Keeps the Score to serve both as a guide and an invitation – an invitation to dedicate ourselves to facing the reality of trauma, to explore how best to treat it, and to commit ourselves, as a society, to using every means we have to prevent it.
Our vision at the Trauma Research Foundation is simple:
When trauma happens, everyone has somewhere to turn, someone who can help. This vision drives all of our efforts, ensuring that people worldwide receive the support they need to heal from traumatic experiences. Our Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate Program is central to this vision, a cornerstone in advancing global trauma education and healing.
Join us in this important work and become part of a global network dedicated to trauma healing.
The Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate Program offers the most comprehensive training in trauma available today. Designed for clinicians, researchers, therapists, and all those dedicated to trauma healing, our program provides an in-depth understanding of trauma’s complexities and the latest evidence-based practices for treatment.
Our intensive post-graduate level certificate program consists of 33 weeks of immersion into the fundamental issues necessary to become an expert clinician treating adults and children who suffer from traumatic stress.
In addition, students will have a monthly opportunity for a face-to-face interaction with senior faculty of this program to discuss lessons learned and clinical challenges, as well as for the formation of peer support groups.
While most advanced training programs are geared to teaching clinicians a particular treatment modality, this course provides a comprehensive overview of a variety of different treatment approaches, relevant to the particular conditions that your clients live under, their presenting problems, their developmental stages and the cultural context and resources of the traumatized individuals.
This course will provide an overview of the basic biological and psychological processes at work that form the foundation for innovative and effective treatment approaches, such as a variety of body-based techniques, IFS, ARC, SMART, sand tray therapy, neurofeedback, EMDR, psychedelic therapies, yoga, and theater, and address issues of assessment, culture, race, spirituality, families and other contextual issues.
~ Dr. Bessel A. van der Kolk
The Trauma Research Foundation remains dedicated to helping clinicians integrate leading-edge research on PTSD and developmental trauma with clinical practice through global training and education.
- TRF’s comprehensive 7-month online Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies is offered twice per year. We launch a new cohort every February and August.
- Learn how trauma impacts the brain and body, and the efficacy of a wide array of clinical treatment methods to apply in your practice to improve your clinical treatment. This program bridges advanced research on PTSD and developmental trauma with today’s most optimal clinical methods, treatments and modalities to improve outcomes and help clients heal.
- The Certificate Program is presented at the post-graduate level, but anyone with an interest in treating trauma is invited to participate.
- Students will have the opportunity to have a monthly face-to-face interaction with our experienced senior faculty to talk about learning points and clinical challenges, along with forming close supportive bonds with your peers which fosters mutual improvement.
- After receiving your certificate, qualified licensed clinicians are eligible to apply to the Group Supervision and Consultation Program, which is facilitated by one of our faculty members. You will also be eligible for up to 70 CE credits.
This post-graduate level course is recommended for practitioners who are licensed mental health providers and who currently see clients or provide mental health services. However, anyone interested in learning is welcome to enroll.
- There is no other training program available that offers the depth and breadth of this exclusive certificate program.
- Participants who complete the weekly teachings program will be awarded a certificate of completion from the world-renowned Trauma Research Foundation.
- Your certificate not only showcases your personal and professional accomplishment, it distinguishes you from your peers and shows your clients, your colleagues, and employer your continued dedication to improving therapeutic outcomes.
- Earn up to 74.5 Continuing Education Credits.
Register for this Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies online course without risk. If you’re not completely satisfied within 30 days, give us a call at 800-844-8260. We’re that confident you’ll find this learning experience to be all that’s promised and more than you expected.
7-month Post-graduate Certificate Self-Paced Program
Weekly Sessions
Each week, a new session will be available for viewing.
Self-Paced Viewing of Videos
Follow our recommended weekly schedule, or go at your own pace. You decide when the time is right to learn - and take as much time as you need!
Online Community
Network and share ideas in online discussions with your peers in the course.
Live Q&A Calls
Attend live Q&A calls with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and course faculty for additional insight, guidance, and answers to questions.
CE Hours
This self-study course will provide continuing education credits. CE provided through PESI. For credit details call PESI at 800-844-8260 or [email protected].
Earn Your Certificate
End this program with an elite Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies from the Trauma Research Foundation.
Over the next 7 months you will learn how to set the stage for trauma resolution:
To pendulate between states of exploration and safety, between language and body, between remembering the past and feeling alive in the present.
When you accept your invitation to earn your certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies, you will:
- Gain a comprehensive view of Traumatic Stress, including the art and science of its nature and treatment, from childhood through adulthood
- Discover how to build stronger connections with your clients
- Learn to go beyond standard talk therapy to customize treatment for deep-rooted trauma
- Stay on the leading-edge of diagnosing trauma related issues
- Learn how to create unique treatment interventions that maximize your therapeutic outcomes
- Be eligible to apply to the Trauma Research Foundation's Group Supervision and Consultation Program.
You'll get comprehensive training from today's leading experts in...
How trauma impacts the brain and body, and the effectiveness of an array of clinical treatment methods to apply in your practice.
- Neurobiology of PTSD and Developmental Trauma
- Sensorimotor Treatment and Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART)
- Treatment Foundations and Assessments
- Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) and Supporting Regulation in Childhood
- Adult Treatment and Component-Based Psychotherapy (CBP)
- Dissociation and Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Trauma Processing and EMDR
- Attachment Theory and Relationships
- Sand Tray Therapy, Play and Activity, Theater and Trauma-Drama, and Trauma Sensitive Yoga
- Trauma Focused Neurofeedback
- Vicarious Trauma and Self-Care
- Special Issues including Sexual Exploitation, Community Trauma, and Sexual Behavior Problems
A Collaborative Learning Environment
Monthly Live Q&A’s are offered with leading experts on trauma, including:
- Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., founder of the Trauma Center, Co-founder of the Trauma Research Foundation and New York Times best-selling author of The Body Keeps the Score
- Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., developer of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model
- Stephen Porges, Ph.D., creator of the Polyvagal Theory and Social Engagement System
- Elizabeth Warner, Psy.D., lead developer of Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART)
- and more!
Upon completion of this course, participants are invited to apply for Trauma Research Foundation’s 6-Week Group Supervision and Consultation Program.
- Enrollees will join group settings led by a skilled Certificate Program faculty member in a secure environment that allows clinicians to reflect on and discuss their practice.
- Each week, the group will examine one case study in depth and discuss clinical challenges.
Course Faculty
Bessel Van Der Kolk
M.D.
Licia Sky
Richard Schwartz
Ph.D.
Stephen Porges
Ph.D.
Margaret Blaustein
Ph.D.
Elizabeth Warner
Psy.D.
Deborah Korn
Psy.D.
Gary Bailey
MSW, ACSW
Frank Anderson
M.D.
Jana Pressley
Psy.D.
Ruth Lanius
MD, PhD, FRCPC
Alexandra Cook
Ph.D.
Vivian Khedari
Ph.D.
Michael Niconchuk
MSc
Matthew Sanford
Ainat Rogel
PhD, MSW, LCSW
Phil Wolfson
MD
Rick Doblin
PhD,
Schedule
Week 1
Understanding Trauma: Foundations
with Bessel van der Kolk, MD
Week 2
The Complexity of Adaptation to Trauma
with Jana Pressley, PsyD
Week 3
The Nature of Trauma: Developmental Neurobiology, Neuroimaging Research and Effective Intervention
with Bessel van der Kolk, MD
Week 4
Neurobiology of Trauma Treatment: EMDR and New Research Directions
with Bessel van der Kolk, MD
Week 5
Adult Attachment Relationships
with Jana Pressley, PsyD
Week 6
The Roles Intersectionality & Cultural Humility Play When Working with Diverse Client Populations
with Jana Pressley, PsyD
Week 7
The Field Guide for Barefoot Psychology: Making Psychoeducation and Healing Relevant and Scalable across Cultures
with Michael Niconchuk, MSc, and Vivian Khedari DePierro, PhD
Week 8
Trauma Through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory
with Stephen Porges, PhD
Week 9
Trauma Assessment of Children and Adults
with Alexandra Cook, PhD
Week 10
Childhood Trauma: Impact and Long-Term Consequences
with Bessel van der Kolk, MD
Week 11
The Scope of Trauma Treatment: From Acute Interventions to Restoration of Self-Experience
with Bessel van der Kolk, MD
Week 12
Introduction to ARC: The Attachment, Regulation, and Competency Model
with Margaret Blaustein, PhD
Week 13
ARC & Supporting Regulation in Childhood
with Margaret Blaustein, PhD
Week 14
We Do Not Work Alone: Implementing and Sustaining Trauma-informed Systems
with Patricia Wilcox, LCSW
Week 15
SMART: Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment
with Elizabeth Warner, EdM, PsyD, and Alexandra Cook, PhD
Week 16
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Theory and Practice
with Pat Ogden, PhD
Week 17
Trauma, PTSD and the Mind-Body Relationship
with Matthew Sanford
Week 18
Embodied Awareness
with Licia Sky, BFA
Week 19
Use of Play and Activity to Support Trauma-informed Treatment
with Steve Gross, MSW
Week 20
Trauma Processing with Children
with Michele Henderson, LICSW
Week 21
Making Connections: The Neuropsychology of Sandplay Therapy in the Treatment of Trauma
with Lorraine Freedle, PhD, LCSW, ABPdN, ABSNP, CST-T
Week 22
The Importance of Play in the Treatment of Trauma
with Dafna Lender, LCSW
Week 23
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: A Model for Accelerated Change
with Deborah Korn, PsyD
Week 24
Theater as Embodied Therapy
with Stephan Wolfert, LCSW, MSW, MFA, and Dawn Stern
Week 25
Working with Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children & Youth
with Jon Ebert, PsyD, and Tarah Kuhn, PhD
Week 26
Trauma & Altered States of Consciousness
with Ruth Lanius, PhD, MD, FRCPC
Week 27
Internal Family Systems
with Richard Schwartz, PhD
Week 28
The Use of Internal Family Systems Model in Trauma Treatment
with Frank Anderson, MD
Week 29
Implementing Trauma Informed Therapies in Community
with Janina Fisher, PhD
Week 30
Trauma-informed, Spiritually aware: Considering spirituality in holistic self and client care
with Jana Pressley, PsyD
Week 31
Caring for the Caregiver: Vicarious Trauma
with Jana Pressley, PsyD
Week 32
Alternative Non-pharmaceutical Treatment Techniques for Development Trauma: Neurofeedback and Biofeedback
with Ainat Rogel, PhD, MSW, LCSW, and Diana Martinez, MD, MSc, PhD, BNC
Week 33
The Future of Trauma Interventions
with Bessel van der Kolk, MD, Rick Doblin PhD, Phil Wolfson, MD, and Michael Mithoefer, MD
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2022 Scholarships window has closed
We are proud to have rewarded well over 1,000 scholarships for the 2022 Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate Program, to students all over the globe.
Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies
The next training will begin on August 25, 2025.
Registration opening soon!
Full Program
REGISTER TODAY FOR $999!
Your registration includes:
- 7 Months of online training
- Monthly Q&A sessions
- Work with leading trauma experts
