Trauma can have a profound impact on a person’s psychological wellbeing and every day functioning. Trauma counselling is a specialist field of counselling that aims to help those who have suffered a traumatic life event.
The Certificate of Trauma Counselling is an online professional development program that will provide you with the conceptual framework and skills for counselling people who are suffering from trauma-related stress.
In this online trauma counselling course, you will develop your counselling skills and techniques, learn how to establish a counselling relationship, apply specialist interpersonal and counselling skills, and facilitate the counselling relationship and process. You will also learn how to apply learning theories in counselling, implement trauma informed care and learn how to effectively recognise and respond to crisis situations.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident in your ability to use trauma-counselling techniques to assist and engage with those who have experienced trauma.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Facilitate the counselling relationship and process
- The clients story
- Counselling environments
- Law and ethics
- Mandatory reporting
- Child protection
- Engaging with clients
- Immediate action
- Client concerns
- Reframing technique
- Referral processes
- Client uncertainty / ambivalence
- Recovery stages
- Emotional intelligence
- Interventions
- Support mechanisms
- Strengths-based counselling
- Perceptions of client feelings
- Active listening
- Identifying underlying issues
- Monitor counselling process
- Counselling conclusion
- Emotionally dependent clients
- Professional boundaries
Unit 2 - Work effectively in trauma informed care
- Trauma informed care perspective
- Key principles and practices
- Safe environments and relationships
- Preventing traumatisation
- Physical and sexual abuse
- Psychological and emotional abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Stalking
- Domestic violence
- Making trauma individuals feel safe
- Negligence
- Past and current trauma or abuse
- Mandatory reporting’s
- Confidentiality
- Symptoms of trauma
- Coping strategies
- Strengths-based approach
- Self-care strategies
- Managing re-traumatisation
- Breathing control exercises
- Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
- Trauma checklist
- Self-reflection and evaluation
- Policy development
- Conducting interviews
- Active observation
- Focus groups
Unit 3 - Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
- Structured counselling approach
- Client information
- Initial session guidelines
- Assessment interviews
- Standardised assessments
- Engaging with clients
- Communication techniques
- Active listening
- Effective questioning
- Client goals
- Client rights and responsibilities
- Professional boundaries
- Expectations and commitment
- Anxiety or concerns
- Confidentiality and privacy
- Counselling contracts
- Counselling plans
- Informed consent
Unit 4 - Apply learning theories in counselling
- Research learning theories
- Behaviorism
- Antecedent behaviour consequence (ABC)
- Ignoring the behaviour
- Reinforcement
- Behavioral outcomes
- Modelling influences
- Modelling or behavioral rehearsal
- Role playing
- Primary reinforcement
- Secondary reinforcement
- Environmental differences
- Dysfunctional environments
- Learning environments
- Socioeconomic barriers
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
- Formulate a program for change
- Achieving identified outcomes
- Identify practical goals
- Setting SMART goals
- Barriers to achieving outcomes
- Aggressive behaviour
- Recording / reviewing change programs
- Problem solving
Unit 5 - Implement trauma informed care
- Trauma informed care
- Strong safe relationships
- Safe environments
- Listen to the client’s story
- Mandatory notification
- Person’s strengths and resilience
- Culture and language
- Identify impact of trauma
- Mental health issues
- Working with children
- Post-traumatic stress disorders
- Negative responses to triggers
- Specific trauma needs
- Individual support plans
- Change strategies and plans
- Trauma informed supervision
- Crisis management plans
- Emotional pain
- Trust and rapport
- Conflict resolution strategies
- Emergency situations
- Self-care practices
Unit 6 - Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
- Counselling interview sequence
- Environmental / personal factors
- Disabilities / impairments
- Client-counsellor relationship
- Counselling skills
- Client-centred interactions
- Establish rapport
- Empathy, honesty and openness
- Conflict resolution
- Learning styles
- Communication styles and skills
- Specialised counselling skills
- Negotiation techniques
- Promoting self-advocacy / self-care
- Coping strategies
- Responding to distress or crisis
- Self-evaluation / self-awareness
- Professional development plan
- Action learning
- Networking / professional memberships
Unit 7 - Recognise and respond to crisis situations
- Crisis situations
- Signs of safety issues
- Signs of abuse
- Suicide risk factors / warning signs
- Risk management
- Safety concerns
- Empathetic listening
- Building relationships
- Crisis situations
- Assessing suicide risk
- Safety and suicide plan
- Emergency help / medical assistance
- Community services
- Psychological assessments
- Self-care strategies
- Non-crisis situations
- Supervision and debriefing
- Counselling qualifications
Study Hours
Estimated duration 105 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Great learning environment!!! Thank you!!
G. Spada, Kew VIC | Certificate of Trauma Counselling
It was easy to navigate and straight forward
C. Hulse, Theodore, ACT | Certificate of Trauma Counselling
I had a really good experience. It was easy to communicate and self direct myself to learning this topic. I really enjoyed this topic and felt all the topics added a lot of information and gave me a variety of explanations.
J. Krawitz, South Caulfield, VIC | Certificate of Trauma Counselling
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no entry requirements or pre-requisites for entry into this program.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 105 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
Yes! The cost for printed materials for this course is $50 per unit. Total cost for optional printed materials is: $350.00. Printed materials are available for purchase at any time and not require to complete this course. Everything you need to complete the course is provided online via our e-learning system.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Trauma Counsellor
- Child Trauma Counsellor
- Case Worker