Trauma-Informed Practice

By studying this course, you will:

• Understand trauma, its impact on the brain and nervous system, and how it influences behaviour and communication.
• Recognise common trauma responses such as fight, flight, freeze, and fawn, and learn how they may appear in everyday situations.
• Explore the importance of psychological and emotional safety in professional and community settings.
• Identify how well-meaning professionals can unintentionally re-traumatise individuals and how to prevent this.
• Develop skills to adapt your communication, environment, and approach to better support those affected by trauma.
• Discover trauma-informed principles that can be applied across health care, education, social services, coaching, customer service, and community roles.

This CPD-accredited course is designed to raise awareness and strengthen everyday practice, it does not train you to assess, diagnose or treat trauma. With this knowledge, you will be able to create safer, more supportive, and empowering spaces for the people you work with.

As with all online studies, we recommend gaining practical hands-on experience where possible to enhance your understanding and confidence. This course offers a comprehensive overview of trauma-informed practice, and we encourage further reading, training, or mentorship for those wishing to apply these principles in a professional setting. Always work safely, ethically, and refer people to qualified healthcare or mental health professionals where appropriate. The contents of this course should never be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional and if you have personally experienced trauma and find this subject difficult, it is always worth speaking to your GP or a qualified mental health professional, who can help you access appropriate support.

Please note: this course teaches trauma awareness, how to make your existing role, service or workplace safer for people who may have experienced trauma. It does not train or qualify you as a trauma therapist, counsellor or psychotherapist. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) set recognised professional training standards for those working therapeutically with trauma. This CPD-accredited course does not meet those requirements and is not equivalent to BACP or UKCP accreditation, membership or registration. If someone you are supporting is in crisis or at risk, follow your organisation's safeguarding procedures and help them contact emergency or crisis support: 999 in an emergency, NHS 111, or Samaritans on 116 123.

This course is ideal for anyone in a public-facing or helping profession, including teachers, health and social care staff, coaches, customer service providers, community workers, and managers. Whether you work directly with vulnerable groups or simply want to improve your professional awareness, trauma-informed practice will give you the confidence to interact with compassion and create safer, more positive environments for all.