Post-MS in Counseling: Trauma Certificate Online
Make an Impact on the Mental Health of Others
The psychological consequences of trauma can be too overwhelming for individuals to work through on their own. Trauma counselors apply evidence-based therapy techniques to nurture human resiliency and mental health wellness. If you feel called to serve others in this capacity, the Post-Master of Science in Counseling: Trauma Certificate program, offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is designed to help prepare working professionals to specialize in this subfield.
During this postgraduate trauma certificate online program, you will work with knowledgeable educators to enhance your leadership qualities and communication skills to connect with clients and co-workers on a meaningful level. By deepening your understanding of childhood and adolescent disorders as well as their long-term effects, you will be able to explore individual and community-wide crises and address these situations.
In this program, you will be taught:
- How to assess and treat childhood and adulthood trauma and related disorders
- Diagnostic and counseling skills to work with individuals across the lifespan
- The intricacies of human nature and trauma-informed care, including the mind-body experience of trauma
This certificate program is designed for working professionals who hold a master’s degree or doctorate in counseling or a related behavioral health field. Individuals with a graduate degree in substance use counseling, social work, clinical psychology or psychiatric medicine are welcome to apply.
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Trauma Counseling Course Topics
Explore a diverse range of essential topics in trauma counseling through our comprehensive course offerings. Each course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to support individuals dealing with trauma. From theoretical foundations to practical techniques, our curriculum is crafted to assist you in the dynamics of therapeutic interventions.
You will explore essential topics, including:
- Current best practices in the assessment and treatment of trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder and other anxiety cluster disorders
- The contributing factors and treatment implications of interpersonal violence, with a look at bullying behaviors and gender perspectives
- The short-term and longitudinal impacts of childhood trauma, including attachment disruption and the developmental effects of childhood trauma
- The best practices of working with a community in crisis, with a look at school-based crisis effects and responses
Career Paths for Counseling Certificate Holders
This post-master of science certificate program can help prepare you to apply evidence-based trauma counseling techniques when working with individuals affected by trauma. Trauma counselors may provide psychological first aid to individuals recently affected by trauma, and individuals who suffer from the long-term effects of past trauma.
Aspiring mental health counselors may pursue work opportunities in a variety of settings, including the following:3
- Mental health centers
- Prisons, probation or parole agencies
- Juvenile detention facilities
- Individual and family services
- Residential treatment centers
- Hospitals and clinics
- Private practices
Earn Your Graduate Certificate From an Accredited University
GCU has held institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. Additionally, GCU is authorized by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. These accreditations reflect the quality of the university and its academic programs, indicating recognition by peer institutions for meeting established criteria and standards.
Trauma Counseling Certificate Program FAQs
Here, you'll find answers to common questions about the certificate in trauma counseling program, including career information and benefit details.
A post-master's certificate program offers a focused and efficient path for advanced degree holders who want to deepen their expertise in a specific area. It provides targeted learning without the extensive time and financial commitment required by a traditional degree program. This can make it a worthwhile option for professionals looking to enhance their skills and stay competitive in their field without the need to pursue another full degree.
A trauma counselor provides guidance and support to help individuals address and recover from traumatic events. These professionals often work with clients over a long period of time. Trauma counselors create treatment plans for their clients and teach them strategies to express themselves productively and handle potential triggers that can cause further stress and anxiety. Trauma counseling aims to improve daily functioning for trauma survivors.
Students in this certificate in trauma counseling program will take an in-depth look at issues specifically associated with trauma, stress, crisis, disaster experiences, assessments and theories. Students can gain advanced competencies in the different types of interventions, trauma assessments and diagnoses. A post-master’s certificate in counseling may be beneficial for clinical counselors, substance use counselors, school counselors, clinical psychologists and social workers.
To be trauma-informed means that you recognize the reality of trauma in our world and are mindful of the personal and societal consequences of trauma. Being trauma-informed allows you to be empathetic to this reality and take action to create a world that fosters growth, resiliency and healing for all.4
Enhance your counseling toolkit with specialized trauma training. Join our postgraduate trauma certificate program and learn to provide care for survivors.
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors, retrieved on Aug. 5, 2024.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, as of May 2023, retrieved on July 23, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
4 Office of Justice Programs. (2024, July 18). Using a Trauma-Informed Approach. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
Core Courses
Course Description
This survey course provides an introduction to the graduate certificate programs in childhood and adolescence disorders, marriage and family therapy, substance use disorders and addiction, and trauma. Students are introduced to the University policies and procedures, the learning management system, the library, and proper APA formatting for academic writing. In addition, students are introduced to the current DSM and how the information relates to the field of counseling. Students also learn about researching and utilizing community resources, and becoming certified in specializations.
Course Description
This course teaches students the basics of diagnosing and treating post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, and other anxiety cluster disorders. This course also provides a historical context for treatment of trauma-related disorders as well as current best practices in the treatment of trauma.
Course Description
This course helps students develop a comprehensive understanding of interpersonal violence. Students analyze the contributing factors of interpersonal violence, treatment implications, and best practices within the context of the helping professions.
Course Description
This course outlines the short-term and longitudinal impacts of childhood trauma. This course pays special attention to the effects of trauma on attachment in the child and the family.
Course Description
This course investigates community and global crisis. This course also reviews best practices of working with communities in crisis.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.