Trauma-Informed Therapy Course 


Blended Learning Programme

Understand trauma and its impact on therapeutic practice. 

This course introduces the key principles of trauma-informed practice and their application within professional settings. Participants explore how trauma affects emotional regulation, relationships, and psychological wellbeing. The programme supports practitioners in developing safe, compassionate, and responsive approaches when working with individuals affected by trauma. 

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Programme Type:QQI Minor award in Trauma Informed Therapy Studies. Validated by QQI at Level 8
Next Intakes:TBA

NFQ: Level 8
ECTS: 5

Academic Validation: QQI

Professional Accreditation: N/A

Overview

Introduction

A recent national study into Trauma, PTSD and complex PTSD in the Republic of Ireland found that 82.3% of respondence had lifetime exposure to one or more traumatic events, with almost 68% reporting two or more traumatic events (Hyland et al, 2021). Likewise, in a global context, research has indicated that 70% of people have been exposed to a traumatic event (Benjet et al, 2015). The overwhelming evidence of the ubiquitous nature of trauma exposure tells us that mental help professionals need to be trauma informed.

Trauma informed therapy is a way of working with clients that recognises how traumatic experiences can impact on all domains of being across human development, including behavioural, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. Trauma can impact relational styles, attachment styles, and both family systems and social structures, through the influences of culture and the environment. At the same time, human beings experience complex intra-personal and interpersonal relational dynamics, childhood difficulties, as well as socio-cultural and economic disadvantages that are problematic, but which are not traumatising. Therefore, the objective in training in Trauma Informed Practices is to understand what trauma is, and what it is not. The purpose of the IICP College Trauma Informed module is to support learners in increasing their understanding of trauma through theoretical knowledge, practice based experiential exercises, and group work.

Who Should Apply

Any one in the helping professions. Applicants will hold a Level 8 Degree in the helping professions (counselling, psychotherapy, social care, social work, psychology, psych nursing, mental health, addiction etc.). Those who hold a Level 7 Degree in the helping professions, plus appropriate relevant work experience may be eligible to apply under RPL.

Entry Requirements

Applicants will hold a Level 8 Degree in the helping professions (counselling, psychotherapy, social care, social work, psychology, psych nursing, mental health, addiction etc.). Those who hold a Level 7 Degree in the helping professions, plus appropriate relevant work experience may be eligible to apply under RPL.

Minimum Technological Requirements

For the blended learning programme, you will need to have:

Why choose this Programme?

This programme offers a focused introduction to trauma-informed therapeutic practice, combining key theory with practical insight. Delivered through flexible blended learning, it supports learners in developing essential knowledge, confidence, and awareness to work safely and effectively with individuals impacted by trauma. Guided by experienced tutors, participants gain skills that can be applied immediately within professional and supportive practice settings.

Course Structure

Overview

The aim is to help learners develop and evidence the ability to:

  • Critically evaluate the scientific research into trauma, adverse childhood experiences and trauma informed therapy;
  • Demonstrate a multi-disciplinary perspective of trauma, including physiology, psychology, neurobiology and sociological perspectives;
  • Conduct a trauma informed assessment in simulated practice under faculty supervision;
  • Critically consider the impact of social and cultural factors on trauma, and how this applies to clinical work; and
  • Evaluate the clinical implications of working with trauma in psychotherapy.
Blended Learning Delivery

This programme is delivered via blended learning, whereby students rotate monthly between onsite and online. Onsite classes take place in our Tallaght Campus. Our blended learning classes are run as tutorials, that involve students and their lecturer logging into our online learning platform Moodle and use the online portal Zoom™ simultaneously.

Zoom™ provides and integrative online environment for students and Lecturers to interact and engage in the learning. This platform facilitates discussion polls, sharing of slides, videos resources and much, much more.

To foster more intimate learning environments the use of breakout rooms is also implemented, allowing for the safe and experiential triadic learning practice that we have found so successful.

All of our sessions are accessible through computer and mobile devices and we have a structured and robust technology department to support all faculty and students through their online learning journey. To encourage flexibility, and the best practice, we also record all our sessions, these are made accessible only to the students in that class to review content whenever is convenient to them!

Assessment

Learners who also wish to obtain the college Level 8 minor award with be required to complete the assessment, in full. The assessment involves a role-play (for 20% of the overall grade) and a written assignment (for 80% of the overall grade). SDL would apply here also.

Validation and Accreditation of Award

QQI

Credits

5

Start Dates

TBA

28 hours class contact time, plus additional Self-Directed Learning. SDL is decided at learners’ own discretion. SDL can include time spent preparing for classes and deliberate practice with peers.

Programme Lecturers

TBA

Module Descriptors

Programme Structure

The indicative content for the module supports the evidencing of the learning outcomes and includes:

  • Prevalence & incidence of trauma
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  • Dissociation
  • Physical, psychological and social impact of trauma
  • Neurobiology of exposure to trauma
  • Challenges faced by those with history of trauma
  • Evidence & trauma informed practice
  • Intergenerational Trauma
  • Phases of therapy with Trauma
  • Clinical implications of working with trauma
    • Recognising signs and symptoms of trauma
    • Establishing safety
    • Integrating knowledge about trauma into practice
    • Resisting re-traumatization
  • Trauma informed assessment
  • Trauma informed treatment

Course Fees

IICP understand that while partaking in further education is an incredibly rewarding experience it can also be a financial challenge for some students. In order to minimise the financial impact caused to students, IICP strive to keep our course fees as competitive as possible. We also provide payment plan options to facilitate learners paying the balance of their fees throughout the duration of their course.

Overall Programme Fees

€705.00. Deposit of €211.50 is required to secure place.

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