Trauma can have a profound impact on a person’s psychological wellbeing and every day functioning. Trauma counselling is a specialist field of counselling that aims to help those who have suffered a traumatic life event.
The Certificate of Trauma Counselling is an online professional development program that will provide you with the conceptual framework and skills for counselling people who are suffering from trauma-related stress.
In this online trauma counselling course, you will develop your counselling skills and techniques, learn how to establish a counselling relationship, apply specialist interpersonal and counselling skills, and facilitate the counselling relationship and process. You will also learn how to apply learning theories in counselling, implement trauma informed care and learn how to effectively recognise and respond to crisis situations.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident in your ability to use trauma-counselling techniques to assist and engage with those who have experienced trauma.
This six-day trauma certificate program will provide the most current information on the biopsychosocial phenomenon of trauma. Learn how to assess and respond ethically and appropriately to adult clients. Examine the effects of and the responses to working with traumatized individuals. Develop trauma-informed approaches to work that enhance personal and professional resilience.
The objective with clients who have experienced a single incident trauma is to recover to base-line functioning. For this we use psychoeducation and symptom management strategies. With clients who have experienced complex developmental trauma, the objective is to mitigate layers of human suffering. This suffering has manifested in entrenched rigid maladaptive patterns. The objective is to bring clarity to the origin, presence, and manifestations of these patterns. To develop a systematic process for changing the core belief system/schema that drives these patterns.
Adult psychotherapists work with adults to assess and treat a range of emotional, social or mental health issues.
You’ll help adults tackle problems such as behavioural issues, common challenges such as anxiety and depression or more complex or severe issues, such as psychosis or a personality disorder diagnosis.
Psychology is a subdiscipline in the field of Social Sciences. By studying a Bachelor’s or Mater’s degree in Psychology you will learn all about every aspect related to the human psyche and how people are influenced by society, culture, and contemporary era challenges. You’ll explore diverse topics, trying to answer questions such as: Is the mind just a byproduct of brain processes? Is behaviour learned or inherited? What is the nature of the human subconscious? How can people change their behaviour through self-discovery?
The field of Psychology can help you understand a broad range of human behaviours as well as the many forms that mental health issues take. Psychology students will combine theoretical classes with practical work experience and case studies on issues such as trauma, mental disorders, addiction, child development, and current therapy methods, among others.
Psychology has a multitude of subfields, such as: Clinical Psychology, Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology, Behavioural Psychology, Neuropsychology, Developmental Psychology, Educational Psychology, Experimental Psychology or forms of Depth Psychology (focusing on unconscious processes).
By graduating Psychology degrees, students around the world gain access to a wide variety of career options including: psychotherapist, psychology counsellor, occupational psychologist, school counsellor, human resource officer, play therapist, forensic psychologist, organizational psychologist (I-O), and more.
Working life
Treatment usually begins with an assessment which takes place over a number of sessions between you and the patient.
Having trained in one or more psychotherapeutic approaches, you will provide therapy to help people change the ways they think and behave or find better ways to cope. This therapy will provide space for them to express their feelings and gain a deeper insight into the issues they face. This could include group sessions.
Where will I work?
You are likely to work in:
hospitals
local clinics and health centres
in the community
an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service
You’ll also work in a multi-disciplinary team including mental health nurses, psychiatrists and a range of other psychological professionals.
Entry requirements
To practise as an adult psychotherapist, you’ll need to undertake appropriate recognised training. You’ll usually need an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject and/or be a qualified and experienced healthcare practitioner, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, mental health nurse or social worker.
To secure a place on a psychotherapy training course, you will also need to be able to demonstrate that you have relevant experience.
Employers will indicate through the job description/person specification exactly which qualifications they will consider when selecting applicants for psychotherapist roles.
Training
Training usually takes four years, combining study with clinical training under supervision and provided by a number of organisations, which are usually accredited by the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the British Psychoanalytic Council.
Clinical training consists of intensive treatment of patients carried out under supervision. Clinical discussions combining theory and practice are held throughout the period of training. Alongside your training, you will be expected to undertake your own personal therapy to build your self-awareness and expand on your ability to relate to others.
The application process for psychotherapy training is administered directly by the individual organisations running the courses.
Must-have skills
You’ll need a range of skills to be a psychotherapist, including:
a keen awareness of people and their behaviour
a capacity for study and continued learning
the ability to relate to a wide range of people
excellent communication skills
the ability to work on your own as well as in consultation with others
a responsible, professional approach, respecting the confidentiality of patients
emotional resilience and maturity
self awareness
the ability to empathise with others and make positive relationships
an openness to addressing issues of prejudice and oppression
How to become a Psychologist
Psychologists study human behaviour and the processes associated with how people think and feel, conduct research and provide treatment and counselling in order to reduce distress and behavioural and psychological problems. They promote mental health and positive behaviour in individuals and groups. Psychologists work on a broad range of issues with clients, including children, adults, couples, families and organisations.
Personal requirements for a Psychologist
Interested in people and human behaviour
Able to listen and solve problems
An inquisitive mind
Emotional maturity and empathy for others
Patient and perceptive
Good oral and written communication skills
Caring and understanding
Measured
Strong logical thinking
Education & Training for a Psychologist
To become a psychologist you usually have to complete a degree with a major in psychology or a four-year Bachelor of Psychology. This is followed by either an accredited two-year postgraduate qualification (majoring in a specialisation of psychology) or two years of supervised experience with a registered psychologist.Psychology can be studied as a major in an arts, social science or science degree. The fourth year of bachelor degree study, which is needed to satisfy registration requirements, may be undertaken as an honours year in the Bachelor of Psychology degree or as a Graduate Diploma of Psychology.To get into the degree courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with English. Entry to postgraduate courses usually requires completion of an appropriate bachelor degree. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Additional information
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) sets the standards for accreditation of Australasian psychology programs, ensuring that the standards of training remain rigorous and consistent across universities. For students to be eligible for registration, they must study a course that is accredited by APAC. Visit their website (www.psychologycouncil.org.au) for an up-to-date list of approved courses of study.Following successful completion of an approved qualification, students who completed a four-year sequence of study followed by a two-year internship will need to pass the National Psychology Exam in order to gain general registration.It is a legal requirement for graduates to be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia before being able to practise as a psychologist in any state or territory in Australia.
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