DAY 1
The Neurobiology of Trauma and Traumatic Memory Processing
- Key brain areas involved in trauma
- Fight, flight, freeze, fawn survival responses
- The role of the body, mind, and emotions
- The basics of cognitive processing theory
- The adaptive information processing (AIP) model
- Attachment theory
- Polyvagal theory
- Psychodynamic theory
Assessment and Diagnosis of PTSD and Complex Trauma
- Simple vs. complex trauma
- Symptom clusters and physical manifestations
- CAPS-5 and PCL-5
- Primary Care PTSD Screen
- Dissociation
- Dual diagnosis
Grounding Techniques and Breathing Exercises: Present-Moment Awareness and Setting the Stage for Effective Trauma Processing
- How breathing can reduce anxiety and calm the nervous system
- How to guide clients through breathing exercises
- Practical demonstration and participant practice
- Alternate nostril breathing
- Step-by-step instructions for the technique
- Research, risks and treatment limitations
Emotional Regulation Techniques
- Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
- The theory behind tapping and its effectiveness for trauma
- Demonstrating the tapping sequence
- Practical demonstration and participant practice
- Research, risks and treatment limitations
Pendulation and Working with Traumatic Memories
- Explanation of pendulation in trauma healing
- Shifting between the traumatic memory and resource states
- Pendulation demonstration
Somatic Trauma Foundations and Techniques
- The Science of Embodiment Practices
- Interoception, exteroception, and proprioception
- Lack of body awareness and other issues
- Releasing stored tension in the body
- Body scans, and paired muscle relaxation
- Step-by-step instructions for “Shake it Off” technique
- Group practice: Shake off exercise
- Research, risks and treatment limitations
Eye Movements for Stress Relief
- Oculocardiac convergence
- The connection between eye movements and heart rate regulation
- Instruction on using eye movements for stress relief
- Practical demonstration and participant practice
- Research, risks and treatment limitations
DAY 2
Introduction to EMDR and the 8 Phases
- Introduction of origins and theory
- Overview of the 8 phases of EMDR
- How EMDR facilitates trauma reprocessing
- Research, risks and treatment limitations
Resource Building with EMDR
- EMDR Spiral Skill
- Using the spiral for identifying and processing memories
- EMDR Container
- Creating a safe mental space for clients to store difficult emotions
- EMDR Safe Space
- Creating and anchoring a safe space for clients
- EMDR Resource Tapping
- Enhancing resource-based intervention using tapping techniques
- Creating BLS with light, sound, paddles – both in person and virtual options
- Practical demonstration and participant practice
Brainspotting Techniques for Trauma Treatment
- Introduction of origins and theory
- Differences between activation and resource models
- How to identify which approach to use with each client
- The Triple Resource approach (3 distinct resources for clients)
- Demonstration
- How to use body awareness in Brainspotting
- Overview of the gaze spotting technique in Brainspotting
- Research, risks and treatment limitations
Using Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy in Trauma Work
- IFS principles and the 6-step process
- Explanation and demonstration of how to guide clients through IFS
- Guided imagery to access traumatic parts
- Protective parts that may block emotional processing
- Techniques to engage protective parts in healing
- Research, risks and treatment limitations
Creating a Trauma-Informed Treatment Plan
- Integrating techniques
- Which treatment modality to use for specific client needs
- Case study discussion


