Trauma Assessment and Treatment Certification Program (Children and Adolescents)

In-Service Option for Agencies

Limited Number of Registrants – See Application Requirements Below

This program includes 10 full days of training together with intensive monitored practice on how to assess and treat children and adolescents who have experienced trauma.

In addition to in-class instruction, each trainee will be required to assess 5 to 10 trauma cases and provide treatment to 5-10 cases. Their work will be monitored and they will receive feedback through scheduled consultation sessions, following the training program.

The certification program is designed to provide an integrated approach to the assessment and treatment of trauma. The theoretical basis of the certification programs integrates current best practices, attachment theory, effects of early trauma on brain development (including witnessing and/or living in violence), sexual abuse, maltreatment, and neglect. A self -care component is integrated into the training program, and subsequent consultation program.

The program is carefully designed to provide trainees with a comprehensive model of practice; opportunities to apply what is learned didactically, while receiving on-going training, supervision and consultation. When students demonstrate competency in applying the model, certification will be granted.

As a result, successful students of the Externship Program will have a comprehensive knowledge base and applicable clinical skills to assess and treat these populations. Graduates are able to utilize the Assessment Packages developed by Geraldine Crisci including trauma assessment tools and interview guides in their work. Graduates are able to maintain an association with Geraldine Crisci, M.S.W. for on-going consultation in their work.

What makes the training program unique is that the person’s individuality of experience is carefully taken into account throughout the assessment and treatment planning process. Cultural, developmental, relational and environmental experiences remain key aspects of the treatment model. The effects of the traumatic experience is viewed as unique for each person. Emphasis is on the individual needs of each client rather than a prescribed or programmed intervention.

Evidence-Based Explanation

The Trauma Assessment Model utilized by Crisci and Associates includes the following four components: Symptomology, Responsibility Issues, Sensorial Reminders and Developmental Disruption. These four components are included because of the evidence supporting their inclusion. The following is provided as documentation of the evidence supporting this model.

Symptomology

Through the research of John Briere, PhD, it is well established that common symptoms of trauma result in clinical presentation in the following areas: depression, anxiety, dissociation and somatic complaint. The Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC) and it corollary The Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children (TSCYC) have long established evidence of reliability and validity. These are the checklists which are utilized in this program.

Self-report measures developed for the use with very young children and adolescents are based on clinical studies which emphasize the need to understand how the individual views their experience. While formal psychometric measures such as the TSCC and TSCYC accurately identify and describe symptom presentation, it is only the clinical interview utilizing less formal self-report questionnaires which establish this perspective. It is the combination of these two efforts, along with reports from caregivers that provide the most comprehensive information on the type and degree of distress experienced by the child or adolescent.

The work of Dr. Bruce Perry, MD, has specifically established the correlation between early neglect and trauma and the subsequent clinical presentations marked by violence and aggression. Dr. Bessel van der kolk, MD, has long established the overwhelming symptoms experienced by trauma survivors and the need to understand their experiences from their individual perspective.

Responsibility Issues

Early research by Hindman identified the complexity of self-blame dynamics. Hindman’s work evolved into the body of work known as “Attribution Theory” which guided clinicians working with abuse and neglect.

From the early work of Linda Sanford to the more recent work of Sharon Lamb, it is evident that self-blame and issues of responsibility stemming from trauma experiences, are critical clinical concerns. Every major self-destructive behaviour (suicidality, running away, drug and alcohol abuse, self-harm) has been correlated with unresolved issues of self-blame.

Course Work Outline

  • Critical Issues in Child development – Developmental Impact of Trauma
  • The neurobiological impact of trauma
  • Interviewing Caregivers & Collaterals – The art of collecting critical information
  • Trauma Assessment Tools
  • Use of psychometric measures
  • Translating assessment results into treatment plans
  • Identification of Treatment Issues
  • Trauma treatment methods, including medications and family intervention
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of treatment
  • Self-Care Component

Monitored Practice

Each trainee will work on 5 to 10 assessment and 5 to 10 treatment cases. Their work will be monitored and they will receive feedback through scheduled consultation sessions.

Cost of Trauma Assessment and Treatment Certification Program:

  •  Training Program: $3000 plus H.S.T. per person
  •  Monitored Practice: hourly rate: $125/HR PLUS H.S.T

Sexualized Behaviour Assessment and Treatment Certification Program (Children and Prepubescent Youth)

Limited Number of Registrants – See Application Requirements Below

This program includes 10 full days of training together with intensive monitored practice on how to assess and treat children and prepubescent youth who are exhibiting sexualized behaviors.

Each trainee will work on 5 to 10 assessment and 5 to 10 treatment cases where their work will be monitored and they will receive feedback through scheduled consultation sessions.

Course Listing

  • Stages of Sexual Development: Birth through Puberty
  • Understanding the impact of social media on sexual development
  • Cultural consequences in the assessment of sexual behavior in prepubescent children
  • Developmental considerations in the assessment of sexual behavior problems: addressing developmental delay, including FAS and FAE presentations
  • Assessment Tools:
    • The Child Interview
    • The Caregiver/Family interview
    • Collateral information
  • Use of Psychometric measures as a component of sexual behavior assessment
  • Formulation based on assessment results: Etiological Pathways
  • Development of Treatment Plans
  • Treatment Models

Monitored Practice

Each trainee will work on 5 to 10 assessment and 5 to 10 treatment cases. Their work will be monitored and they will receive feedback through scheduled consultation sessions.

Certification Program Cost

  •  Training Program: $3000 plus G.S.T.
  • Monitored Practice: hourly rate: $100/HR PLUS G.S.T

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS (Both Programs)

  1. Submit a completed application form and include a recent copy of your resume
  2. Submit a copy of your University transcript or Degree certification
  3. Have a minimum of 5 years professional experience the field
  4. Submit 3 professional references
  5. Undergo a police check (VSS) with acceptable results

Note: If you are missing any of the above criteria, but believe you are a good candidate for this Externship, please contact us, and let us know your thinking.

 To register for the either the Sexualized Behaviour Assessment and Treatment Certification Program or Trauma Assessment and Treatment Certification Program, please contact us.  Please indicate which program you are registering for.