Education on Trauma-Informed Practices

Format

Based on core trauma recovery principles, Minding Trauma offers a conceptual framework for a survivor-centered trauma-informed approach in education settings.

This program provides participants with a comprehensive exploration of how trauma impacts the brain and nervous system, the effects of trauma, and tools for empathically connecting with child and adolescent trauma survivors. Participants will also be provided with information on self-care and developing their own coping skills.

Topics discussed include:

• Definition of Trauma
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Trauma and the Brain
• The Four Fs of Trauma
• Cognitive Development and Adverse Childhood Experiences
• Intergenerational trauma
• Historical Trauma
• Physical, Behavioral, Emotional and Interpersonal Effects of Trauma
• Protective Factors
• Secondary and Vicarious Trauma

Benefits

The signs of trauma are often ignored, misdiagnosed, or minimized, showing up as challenging behaviors, difficulty forming healthy relationships, and dysregulated emotions. Unfortunately, when these signs are missed in childhood and adolescence, a young person is likely to experience significant deficits in their personal, social and academic development. A trauma-informed lens helps adults understand the manifestations of trauma as survival responses to dangerous or frightening situations.

Studies have demonstrated that trauma leads to decreased cognitive ability, increased risky behaviors, increased risk of mental health problems like depression and anxiety, and poor physical health. Early interventions are key to preventing long-term impacts. Minding Trauma helps adults develop tools to support trauma-impacted youth, by focusing on their strengths and need to safely connect with others.