Working with Trauma

This subject allows the class to examine the complex issues of trauma and abuse in contemporary society. It aims to raise your awareness and knowledge of the nature and forms of trauma and/or abuse in relationships, the consequences of these on individuals, families and communities, as well as to develop appropriate skills and attitudes to counsel or refer counsellors from these backgrounds.

Awards offering Working with Trauma

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts
• Graduate Certificate in Wellbeing Studies
• Graduate Diploma in Arts
• Graduate Diploma of Applied Social Science
• Graduate Diploma of Leadership
• Master of Arts
• Master of Leadership

Unit Content

Outcomes

1. Develop knowledge and skills based on current evidence-based responses and interventions for trauma;
2. Develop an understanding of trauma, developmental factors and lifespan considerations;
3. Critique a range of community resources that support people impacted by trauma;
4. Formulate a self-care plan that integrates understandings of vicarious trauma.

Subject Content

• What is trauma? The social and political discourse of power and powerlessness, and violence and abuse
• Developmental trauma and how it affects human behaviour Discussing a context of a victimizing culture and the prevention of abuse
• Complex trauma and the assessment process Causes and impacts of abuse e.g. child abuse, date violence, elder abuse; physical and emotional abuse, including domestic violence and sexual assault
• Crisis intervention and working with PTSD Exploring a Christian framework that views the whole person as someone affected by abuse and
• trauma rather than as a ‘problem”
• Intervention and Treatment Explain a Christian framework that identifies and works holistically with the survivor, recognising the purpose defence strategies play in the client’s survival
• Boundaries and self-care Recognising defence strategies as symptoms of trauma rather than viewing the symptoms as the
• Problem
• Report writing and the importance of referrals to therapy 
• How the victim of trauma tells their story 
• The physical Effects of trauma 
• Trauma, relationships and the family 
• Therapeutic pharmacology and trauma

This course may be offered in the following formats

• Onsite (face-to-face)
• Online (e-Learning)
• Intensives

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

• Interview (video) Treatment Plan, Handout and Notes (40%)
• Case Study (30%)
• Essay(30%)

Prescribed Text

• Briere, J.N. & Scott, C. (2015). Principles of trauma (2nd ed. Rev.). London: Sage Publications

Please consult your instructor prior to purchasing any texts.