Trauma-Informed Psychospiritual Therapy

This course provides an introduction to trauma and trauma-informed approaches in spiritually-integrated psychotherapy. We will examine the trauma-informed approach (es) by presenting various psychophysical and socio-cultural-spiritual components of trauma. The main focus of the course will be placed on identifying key concepts in main trauma-informed psychotherapy modalities and concrete skills and strategies in order to prepare students to work with clients who suffer from trauma. Students will gain some understanding of sample major treatment approaches such as Trauma-focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Trauma-informed Narrative Exposure Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, somatic psychotherapies (i.e. polyvagal theory), etc. The students will also be encouraged to evaluate trauma-informed therapy in the context of culture, class, race and ethnicity, religion, and social values of the individual, family, group, and social institutions. The course will critically review existing therapy modalities and identify risk factors and available treatment approaches to help people in their recovery. At the end of the course, students will have some in-depth knowledge about trauma, its prevalence and impact, and trauma-informed practices.