Trauma is prevalent within behavioral health care and often goes undetected. Clients already dealing with the emotional, economic, and psychological aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and substance use, have increased risks of retraumatization when receiving services. Providers may also unwittingly retrigger trauma reactions with their client community, potentially exacerbating substance use, mental health, and physical conditions. This interactive training will review fundamentals of trauma and environmental and individual factors that can increase the likelihood of reactions. The content will also inform on how to develop a safe environment conducive for client mental wellbeing and integrate trauma informed care principles in various components of practice.

This course reviews the basics trauma and stress related definitions; neurobiology of trauma, trauma responses, why trauma informed care matters and benefits of using this trauma informed principles and approaches.