Trauma Support and Counselling Course

Introduction

The Trauma Support and Counselling Course is a comprehensive training program designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and strategies required to effectively support individuals dealing with trauma. Whether caused by conflict, abuse, loss, natural disasters, or prolonged stress, trauma can have long-lasting psychological, emotional, and physiological effects. This course provides a deep understanding of the nature of trauma, its symptoms, and the appropriate interventions to promote healing and resilience.

Throughout the course, participants will explore the theoretical foundations of trauma-informed care, including psychological first aid, stages of trauma recovery, and the neuroscience of trauma. Practical counselling approaches will be introduced, with a strong emphasis on empathy, safety, active listening, and empowerment. Participants will learn to recognize trauma responses and apply effective support mechanisms tailored to diverse individuals and contexts.

The training also addresses the cultural, social, and ethical considerations in trauma counselling, ensuring that support is delivered with sensitivity and respect for different backgrounds and experiences. It highlights the importance of self-awareness and boundaries for those offering trauma support, and includes modules on secondary trauma and burnout prevention for professionals and caregivers.

Interactive sessions, case studies, role plays, and reflective exercises will form the foundation of the course methodology. These approaches ensure that participants not only gain theoretical knowledge but also develop confidence in applying skills in real-world situations. A trauma-informed, person-centred approach will be emphasized throughout the course.

This course is ideal for counsellors, social workers, teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, humanitarian staff, and community leaders who support trauma-affected individuals. By the end of the training, participants will be better prepared to create safe spaces, foster recovery, and contribute positively to trauma healing in both individual and group settings.

Duration

5 days

Who should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

·       Counsellors and Psychologists seeking to enhance their trauma-informed practice and expand their therapeutic approaches.

·       Social Workers and Case Managers who support vulnerable populations such as survivors of violence, abuse, displacement, or disaster.

·       Healthcare Providers, including nurses and clinical officers, who encounter trauma-related symptoms in their patients and wish to improve their psychosocial support skills.

·       Teachers, School Counsellors, and Education Officers dealing with students who have experienced trauma and need supportive, nurturing learning environments.

·       First Responders such as police, firefighters, emergency workers, and disaster relief staff who often interact with trauma-affected individuals in high-stress environments.

·       Humanitarian and NGO Staff working in conflict zones, refugee camps, or areas affected by crisis and displacement.

·       Faith-Based and Community Leaders who provide emotional and spiritual support to individuals in distress.

·       HR and Employee Wellness Officers responsible for staff well-being, particularly in high-risk or emotionally demanding sectors.

·       Volunteers and Caregivers supporting trauma survivors in both professional and informal capacities.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course the learners should be able to:

·       Provide a clear understanding of the types, causes, and effects of trauma on individuals and communities.

·       Introduce trauma-informed care principles to guide safe, empathetic, and empowering support practices.

·       Build competence in applying basic counselling and psychosocial support techniques for trauma recovery.

·       Train participants to recognize trauma symptoms, behavioral responses, and common triggers.

·       Strengthen participants’ ability to help individuals develop coping mechanisms and resilience.

·       Promote ethical and culturally sensitive practices in trauma counselling across diverse contexts.

·       Raise awareness of vicarious trauma and equip participants with self-care and burnout prevention strategies.

·       Enable the adaptation of trauma support strategies for use in schools, health facilities, humanitarian settings, and community-based interventions.

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Trauma

• Introduction to Trauma: Definitions, Scope, and Misconceptions
• Types of Trauma: Acute, Chronic, Complex, and Secondary
• Biological, Psychological, and Social Impact of Trauma
• Understanding the Trauma-Stress Cycle and the Window of Tolerance
• Trauma and the Nervous System: Polyvagal Theory Essentials

Module 2: Trauma and the Brain

• Neuroscience of Trauma: Brain Structures and Hormonal Impact
• Trauma and Memory: Dissociation, Flashbacks, and Fragmentation
• The Role of Neuroplasticity in Trauma Healing
• Somatic Responses and Body-Based Therapies

Module 3: Specialized Trauma Contexts

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
• Trauma from Natural Disasters and Climate Emergencies
• Trauma from Conflict, War, Terrorism, and Displacement
• Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Gender-Based Trauma
• Human Trafficking, Slavery, and Exploitation
• Trauma in Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons

Module 4: Childhood and Developmental Trauma

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Trauma Pathways
• Early Attachment Disruption and Developmental Trauma
• Recognizing Trauma in Educational Settings
• Age-Appropriate Counselling Interventions
• Trauma-Informed Parenting and Caregiving

Module 5: Counselling Practice and Interventions

• Trauma-Informed Counselling Principles and Approaches
• Creating Safe, Trust-Based Counselling Environments
• Evidence-Based Therapies: CBT, DBT, EMDR, and Narrative Therapy
• Grounding, Self-Regulation, and Resilience-Building Techniques
• Working with Dissociation, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Ideation
• Group Trauma Counselling and Crisis Interventions

Module 6: Counselling Special Populations

• Counselling Survivors of Torture and Political Violence
• Trauma Support for LGBTQ+ Individuals
• Supporting Survivors of Intergenerational and Historical Trauma
• Trauma in People with Disabilities
• Supporting Trauma Survivors with Co-Occurring Disorders (Addiction, Depression, Anxiety)

Module 7: Trauma in Organizational and Professional Settings

• Workplace Trauma, Bullying, and Harassment
• Organizational Response to Critical Incidents and Staff Loss
• Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)
• Trauma-Informed Leadership and Staff Wellness Programs
• Peer Support and Staff Reintegration After Trauma Exposure

Module 8: Cultural, Spiritual, and Ethical Perspectives

• Cultural Competency in Trauma Counselling
• Integrating Traditional Healing and Indigenous Practices
• Faith, Spirituality, and Meaning-Making in Trauma Recovery
• Ethics in Trauma Counselling: Consent, Boundaries, Confidentiality
• Trauma-Informed Communication and Language Use

Module 9: Technology and Trauma Care

• Tele-Counselling and Online Trauma Support Platforms
• Digital Safety, Confidentiality, and Boundaries in Virtual Support
• Using Apps and Tools for Trauma Monitoring and Self-Regulation
• Social Media and Trauma Narratives: Opportunities and Risks

Module 10: Self-Care, Supervision, and Professional Growth

• Recognizing Vicarious Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, and Burnout
• Building a Self-Care Plan and Resilience Toolkit
• Importance of Supervision, Peer Reflection, and Mentoring
• Trauma-Informed Practitioner Identity and Growth
• Developing Personal Practice and Continued Learning Pathways

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.