If you’re lucky enough that your life is free from adversity, you know someone whose life isn’t. And if you work in the skilled helping professions, like teaching, counseling, healthcare, or customer service–you’re working with people who are overwhelmed every day.

The Trauma-Informed Academy is for everyone. It’s for people who want a well-rounded perspective on how “what happens” informs who we become and how we can change that.  And our NEW Trauma Responsive System  model helps folks at all levels with core knowledge and skills that helps them strengthen existing skills like self-awareness, self-regulation, communication, and using inner connections for self-soothing. Accessible, easy, and effective!

Educators’ series
Six courses specific to educators who’ve completed the core courses. About the impact on the developing brain, optimizing classrooms, creating trauma-sensitive learning and more. Want more? We’ll come to you for professional development.

Social services / mental health series
This series of courses is for the folks who provide care to people receiving assistance or mental health services. Targeted instructor led training also available now, without waiting for the online courses!

We offer the Trauma-Responsive System online and in person for professional and personal development, Risking Connection instructor-led training from Sidran Institute and the instructor-led DOJ/OVC program LAMP: The Neurobiology of Trauma for Law Enforcement, Advocates, Mental Health professionals and Prosecutors.

Healthcare track
Four additional courses that MDs, PAs, NPs, nurses and allied health professionals need for more effective provider-patient relationships and care. Webinar and onsite available.

Faith communities
Where do hurt people go? The first place is often their faith leader and faith community. This five course series helps faith leaders in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions think through the impact of trauma on their communities and how to respond. Conference and retreat available, as well as teleseminars.

Friends and family
Every neighborhood and community can become Trauma-Responsive without becoming nosy neighbors or setting up a stand for counseling. These four courses help you learn how.

The Trauma Responsive System
A model for people whose lives have been changed by traumatic experiences (including professional helpers). These tools and techniques, when practiced, make life easier. The popular award-winning ASk© series and more!

What is trauma informed care?

Get familiar with the way the APA, ICD-10 and a leading non-profit define trauma–and the different ways to count how many people experience traumatic events. You’ll also get an overview of the impact of trauma, which leads to the definition of Trauma-Informed Care, and close with an interactive scenario about TIC.

How have models of care evolved?

Models are part of everyday life, and in this course, you’ll learn why and who uses them. We’ll offer a brief history of the world of mental health, describe four key models, differentiate them from TIC and finally explore two key barriers to adjusting current models in use.

Where is being trauma informed helpful and why?

Healthcare, education, social services and more—all areas of life where TIC is helpful if not critical. This course details several and why we need to talk about creating Trauma-Responsive Systems instead of just being Trauma-Informed. From customer service to neighborhood living, TRS is the movement we need for a healthier future.

What changes when we become Trauma-Informed?

Changes in language, thinking, and acting are required to become TI and create TRS. This class introduces how changes in words, policy, process, environment and more can foster healing and reduce the impact of trauma.

Critical impact: the ACEs study

The final course in the Core Courses reviews the most important research of our time, the ACEs Study. You’ll learn the basics of the study, implications in healthcare, education, and industry, the natural limits of the study and more.