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Digital Seminar

Recognizing & Treating Medical Trauma

$129.99 Standard

Medical crises can have lasting psychological and physical impacts, often resulting in medical trauma—distress triggered by invasive, life-threatening, or overwhelming medical experiences. Unlike other forms of trauma, medical trauma can be ongoing, with symptoms like hypervigilance, avoidance, and emotional distress triggered by bodily sensations, medical environments, or healthcare interactions. It may arise from sudden diagnoses, painful treatments, loss of autonomy, or inadequate care, often leading to anxiety, depression, and difficulties with medical adherence.  

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to recognize and treat medical trauma, differentiate it from other traumas, conduct targeted assessments, and implement interventions that promote recovery. You'll also learn symptom-focused strategies, including pain management techniques, and explore systemic barriers that complicate care, leaving with practical tools to support clients in healing and navigating healthcare challenges. You’ll also learn: 

  • How to address trauma-related thoughts, physiological distress, and somatic symptoms   

  • How to differentiate medical trauma from other forms of trauma  

  • How to assess hidden medical trauma that may be driving anxiety and depression 

  • Targeted care and strategies to help clients navigate healthcare barriers 

Here's What You'll Learn

Key Concepts in Medical Trauma 

  • What is Medical Trauma? 
    • Distinguishing it from other types of trauma 
    • Key sources and causes in medical settings 
  • Grief, loss, and caregiver/family dynamics 
  • Effects on physical outcomes and health behaviors 
  • Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and their connection to medical trauma 
  • Limitations of the research and potential treatment risks 

Assessment of Medical Trauma 

  • Methods of Assessment: 
    • Self-report measures, clinical interviews, behavioral observations 
  • Domains to Assess:  
    • Defining a treatment plan based on assessment results. 

Treatment Approaches 

  • Continuum of Care 
  • Types of Treatment Models 
    • Sequential 
    • Parallel 
    • Integrated 
  • Standard vs. Adapted vs. Adjunctive Treatments 
    • Tested interventions for reducing medical trauma-related distress 
    • Interventions tailored for unique medical trauma needs 
    • Supplemental interventions (e.g., pain, insomnia, memory changes) 
  • Supporting caregivers and promoting family wellbeing 
  • Practical Case Examples 

Systemic Barriers & Client Advocacy 

  • Healthcare and Mental Healthcare System Constraints 
    • Insurance limitations and provider time constraints 
    • Gaps in trauma-informed care 
  • Navigating Healthcare Systems 
    • Addressing fear, avoidance, and self-advocacy skills 
    • Communicating with healthcare providers and confronting ableism 
    • Understanding patient rights within the healthcare system 
  • Promoting inclusion for individuals with chronic illness or disability 
  • Addressing clinician burnout and secondary trauma 

Everything You're Getting

  • More than 1 hour of video content
  • Up to 1.75 CE credits
  • Certificate of completion
  • Handouts and resources

Meet Your Experts

Sacha McBain, PhD

Toggle speaker biography

Sacha McBain, PhD is a clinical psychologist and associate professor at Rush University System for Health in Chicago, IL. A national leader in medical traumatic stress, Dr. McBain has published peer-reviewed research on the conceptualization and treatment of medical trauma, led national clinical trainings, and helped shape best practices for mental health screening and intervention after traumatic injury. She has worked alongside interdisciplinary partners to develop trauma-informed care approaches and is passionate about bringing psychological intervention to critical care and surgical settings. Through her research, education, and clinical practice, she pushes for better care systems for patients and families impacted by medical trauma. Dr. McBain contributed to the American College of Surgeons Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Best Practice Guidelines Work Group and is an active member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Sacha McBain has an employment relationship with Rush University Medical Center.. She receives a grant from NIH/NIDA. Dr. McBain receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Sacha McBain is a member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.
More taught by Sacha McBain, PhD

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Media Type:
Digital Seminar
Product Code:
POS150447
Duration:
1 hour, 55 minutes
Copyright:
Oct 09, 2025
Closed Captions:
Available
Format:
Audio and Video

ADA Needs

We would be happy to accommodate your ADA needs; please call our Customer Service Department for more information at 1-800-844-8260.

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