Healing the Hidden: Understanding and Responding to PTSD and Complex Trauma

The full price of this course is £465. Until end 15 May, we are offering an early bird discount of 20% which brings the cost down to £372. 

This is course is also available to purchase on a payment plan. Please contact mark.busby@thecfc.org.uk to arrange your plan. 

Are you ready to deepen your understanding of trauma and elevate your therapeutic practice? This transformative 4-day training program equips counsellors, psychotherapists, and allied professionals with the knowledge and skills to confidently navigate the complexities of PTSD and complex trauma.

 

You'll explore the roots of trauma, ways of working with hyper-aroused and dissociative states, and develop trauma-sensitive interventions. The course includes working with survivors of domestic abuse, ongoing trauma and cultural considerations. The final day provides the opportunity for case discussions and the development of your own trauma-informed practice model. Join us to gain practical tools, enhance your therapeutic impact, prioritise your self-care as a practitioner.

DAY 1: UNDERSTANDING PTSD

Outcomes for Attendees Day 1:

• Understand the historical context for PTSD
• Have an overview of different psychological models for understanding PTSD
• Be aware of current definition of PTSD by NICE
• Understand the psychological, physiological and neurological processes associated with PTSD

 

DAY 2: RESPONDING TO PTSD PRESENTATIONS

Outcomes for Attendees Day 2: 

• Learn how to respond therapeutically to trauma presentations through incorporating a phased approach framework
• Be aware of the importance of timing of different responses including ‘psychological first aid’
• Working with the Window of Tolerance – responding to hyper and hypo-aroused client presentations, including dissociation
• Importance of building awareness of safety in trauma therapy and understand indicators of the concepts of ‘trauma recovery’ and ‘trauma resolution’.

 

DAY 3: COMPLEX TRAUMA 

Outcomes for attendees day 3: 

• Understand additional features of complex trauma
• Understand contributing factors eg Adverse Childhood Experiences and how these are manifest in adulthood.
• Using an attachment lens, understand the typical cognitions and behaviours that clients with complex trauma may present in therapy, and the relational challenges these set. 
• Explore ways to respond therapeutically including working with ‘parts’
• Understand the concept of vicarious trauma and the importance of therapist self-care

 

DAY 4: COMPLEX TRAUMA

Outcomes for attendees day 4:

• Better understanding of issues around domestic abuse and how best to safely support victims of this.
• Understand the effect of difference (cultural, religious, sexual identity...) on the presentation of trauma and possible effects on the therapist
• Working with clients when the trauma is ongoing including managing risk
• Opportunity for participants to discuss own cases
• Development of own ‘trauma-informed’ model.

Penny Bullock, MSc (Psychological Trauma), MProf Studies (Psychological Trauma), BSc., Post-grad. Cert. in Supervision, PGCE, MBACP(Snr. Accred.)

Penny has worked as a counsellor, both privately and within the NHS for over 25 years, with adults and young people, specialising in trauma. She has been a clinical supervisor for 15 years and has delivered training to a wide range of professionals. Penny retired in 2023 and is now bringing her clinical expertise to the role of Trustee for the Counselling & Family Centre in Altrincham and Bury.

For more information on our courses, including making a booking or cancellation, please see course information.