Trauma Informed Interventions - Key Concepts Training
Practical tools for engaging effectively with clients who have been exposed to traumatic experiences
Part of BASW’s Taught Skills Development Programme
Delivered by Michelle McMaster (MRes, MBASW) Independent Social Worker, Trauma Consultant
Course overview:
This session focuses on how to interact effectively with clients who have been exposed to traumatic experiences, drawing on the most up-to-date research from the fields of neuroscience and somatic studies.
Many social workers are already familiar with working alongside explicitly ‘traumatised’ clients, with a range of tools and approaches to help achieve more positive outcomes in specifically therapeutic settings.
However, we are not always tuned into recognising some of the more embedded, and often more subtle, behaviours and responses that might suggest a person has experienced trauma, often without any conscious memory.
This course explores the importance of identifying trauma and of understanding why individuals and families are impacted differently, even when exposed to the same negative events. It will introduce practical examples of trauma informed interventions, with an understanding of how these can help alleviate the impact of trauma and empower clients in their own lives. This learning will be useful alongside any social work practice and will complement existing knowledge and skills.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course participants will:
- Be familiar with the range of terminology related to trauma and the impact of traumatic experiences
- Have a better understanding of why individuals often respond very differently to similar experiences of trauma or exposure to traumatic environments
- Be able to identify situations where client responses might have been influenced by traumatic experiences
- Have explored a range of somatic based approaches to apply as part of trauma informed interventions
- Be more confident when working alongside clients who have been impacted by trauma
Learning Methods:
A combination of interactive online learning methods will be used throughout the session, including presentation (with & without slides), video, practical demonstration, reflective use of case studies, experiential exercises in pairs and/or small groups, small group discussions, resource sharing and opportunity for Q&A to support application to practice.
Resources required:
This course will be delivered by MS Teams, please ensure your IT equipment is updated and is running audio/visual and the latest version of Teams – please use the joining instructions provided.
Programme outline:
- Introductions and overview
- Background to ‘trauma informed’ practices and interventions
- Related terminology, including
- trauma & traumatic experiences
- acute trauma, single incident trauma, developmental trauma
- ACEs (adverse childhood experiences)
- PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), chronic trauma, complex & relational trauma
- Important concepts affecting individual responses
- nature of traumatic experience
- age/s & life stages
- impact of early caregiver interactions & attachment styles
- social & environmental context
- Neurobiology of trauma (including short video)
- how major brain networks are involved in trauma responses
- how our autonomic nervous system (ANS) is involved
- physiological impact of traumatic experiences
- significance of polyvagal nerve theory
COMFORT BREAK
- Somatic based experiential exercises
- individual / whole group
- Important concepts for effective trauma informed activities & interventions
- basics: hydration, nutrition & breath patterns
- regulation, co-regulation, self-regulation
- significance of movement, curiousity & play
- sensory information & sensory stimulation
- Case studies (based on real life situations)
- assessment & interventions
- whole group / small groups
- discussion based on case studies & participant experiences
- feedback with Q&A
- Application to social work practice
- individual, family, community
- social work settings
- useful resources (online or downloadable)
- Final group feedback & reflection
CLOSE
A one hour follow up session will take place on Wed 1st March 9.30am-10.30am, led by Michelle, to allow a space for you to reflect on your learning
The Trainer:
Michelle is an Independent Social Worker and has worked across all sectors (statutory, not-for-profit and private) in health and social care for over 40 years. She has worked with all service user groups, of all ages, and was also a social work lecturer and tutor for many years.
Michelle’s passion is in mental health promotion and suicide prevention, with a particular emphasis on grief, loss and trauma recovery. She has post-graduate training in Social Research Methods, with accredited practitioner training in Complex Trauma, Clinical Trauma Interventions, Applied Neuroscience and Brain & Behaviour Change. Michelle runs her own private trauma recovery practice and is always keen to share the skills and practical knowledge she applies in her work with clients.