April 2026  •  NOW ENROLLING

Advanced Diploma in Trauma Informed Psychotherapy

Delivered Online via Zoom

Advanced Diploma in Trauma Informed Psychotherapy
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Overview

Delivered Online via Zoom

The importance of understanding, appreciating and evaluating the impact of trauma has substantial implications for therapeutic needs assessment, case-conceptualisation, treatment planning and therapeutic outcomes. In order to ensure safe, ethical and informed therapeutic interventions, therapists must have and embody a deep appreciation and understanding of the neurobiology and physiology of trauma in order to prevent inadvertently re-traumatising clients.

Our Advanced Diploma In Trauma Informed Psychotherapy offers participants advanced practical skills-based training with a strong theoretical foundation based on the latest neuroscientific developments in working with trauma safely and effectively in an integrative manner. Embodying a Therapeutic Teaching Framework, participants will develop, appreciate and expand their knowledge and understanding of trauma through a neurobiological and physiology lens.  In addition, participants will gain a deep appreciation of the nuances of Trauma Informed Psychotherapy while also developing a range of empirically validated skills and techniques to confidently and effectively work with trauma in a safe, integrative and systematic manner.

CPD Recognised and Approved by The Irish Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy and awarded 110 CPD Points.

Learning Outcomes

Participants who complete this 19 day CPD Diploma will gain a sound understanding of advanced trauma informed psychotherapy and will develop the tools and skills necessary to confidently and effectively work with trauma in a safe, strategic and systematic manner

Students Will:

  1. Develop a deep understanding and appreciation of the types, prevalence, neurobiologicaland physiological impact of Trauma.
  2. Use a Trauma-Informed lens to reframe challenging emotions and behaviours as adaptive responses to trauma, moving from a what’s wrong with you mindset to a what happen to you framework.
  3. Integrate Trauma focused theory, research and techniques coherently and safely in therapy facilitating clients post traumatic growth.
  4. Develop an understanding and appreciation of Trauma Expressed Communications through an Internal Family Systems Lens.
  5. Become proficient in using somatic interventions for tracking, naming, and safely exploring trauma-related somatic activation, creating new competencies and restoring clients somatic sense of self in a safe and trauma informed manner.
  6. Develop an understanding and appreciation of the use of imagery and creativity in processing trauma.

Programme Modules & Timetable

April 2026 – February 2027

Click on the + sign following the module name to view full details of the module.

  • Tuesday 14th April 2026.

    7:30pm – 9:30pm. Zoom

    Introduction to Course Philosophy, Principals, and Assessments

    Facilitator: Liz Quish

  • Saturday 18th April 2026.

    10am – 5pm. Zoom

    • Trauma Informed – Care The Paradigm Shift
    • Key Tenants of Trauma Informed Care
    • Adverse Childhood Experiences
    • Creating Trauma Informed and Resilience Building Practices

    Facilitator: Marian Connell

  • Sunday 19th April 2026.

    10am – 5pm. Zoom

    • Adult Manifestation of Childhood Trauma
    • Trauma Symptomatology
    • Trauma Expressed Behaviours
    • Shame, Fear and Trauma
    • Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma

    Facilitator: Marian Connell

  • Saturday 23rd May 2026,
    Sunday 24th May 2026.

    10am – 5pm. Zoom

    • Introduction To Trauma
    • Trauma Types
    • Symptoms Of Trauma
    • Triune Model Of Trauma
    • Brain and Body Connection
    • Introduction to PTSD
    • Introduction to Polyvagal Theory
    • Talk Therapy

    Facilitator: Patricia Allen-Garrett

  • Saturday 20th June 2026,
    Sunday 21st June 2026.

    10am – 5pm. Zoom

    • Overview of Attachment Theories
    • Attachment as a Relational Construct
    • Attachment Styles
    • Process and Patterns in Relationships
    • Pathways to Earned Secure Attachment

    Facilitator: Marian Connell

  • Saturday 11th July 2026,
    Sunday 12th July 2026.

    10am – 5pm. Zoom

    • Trauma Treatment Theories
    • Trauma Treatment Phases
    • Window of Tolerance
    • Assessment and Evaluation
    • Regulation Exercises
    • Integration Phase Exercises

    Facilitator: Patricia Allen-Garrett

  • Tuesday 14th July 2026 (Group 1),
    Wednesday 15th July 2026 (Group 2).

    7:30pm – 9:30pm. Zoom

    Participants are expected to attend an online tutorial and will be assigned to either Group 1 or Group 2 after Orientation.

    Facilitator: Liz Quish, Programme Director

  • Saturday 5th September 2026.

    10am – 5pm. Zoom

    • Overview of Polyvagal Theory
    • The Vagus Nerve and the Autonomic Nervous System
    • Impact of Trauma on the Autonomic System
    • Survival States – Physical and Psychological symptoms
    • Self-regulation, co-regulation and vagal toning
    • Embodied safety through a polyvagal lens

    Facilitator: Marian Connell

  • Saturday 19th September 2026.

    10am – 5pm on Zoom.

    • Dissociation – Causes, Triggers and Contributing Factors
    • The Continuum of Dissociative Experiences – Depersonalisation, De-realisation & Dissociative Identity Disorder
    • Recognising Dissociation – Signs and Symptoms
    • Introduction to Structural Dissociation
    • The Importance of Compassion when Working with Dissociation

    Facilitator: Patricia Allen-Garrett.

  • Saturday 10th October 2026,
    Sunday 11th October 2026.

    10am – 5pm on Zoom.

    • History and Development of IFS
    • Theoretical Lense: Multiplicity of The Mind
    • Parts  & Extreme Roles Parts Take
    • Qualities of Self  8 C’s and 5 P’s
    • Process of Unblending from Parts
    • Differentiation – Self Leadership and Parts

    Facilitator: Ruth Carroll Clarke

  • Saturday 7th November 2026,
    Sunday 8th November 2026.

    10am – 5pm on Zoom.

    • The Healing Steps of IFS
    • Reparenting and Retrieving the Exile
    • Unburdening the Exile
    • Somatic IFS – Working with the Body through an IFS Lens
    • Creating Safety for Somatically Focused Work
    • Legacy and Cultural Burden

    Facilitator: Ruth Carroll Clarke

  • Saturday 5th December 2026,
    Sunday 6th December 2026,
    Saturday 9th January 2027.

    10am – 5pm. Zoom

    • Integrating Creative Interventions in Trauma Work
    • Framework for Working Safely with Trauma through Creativity
    • Introducing Art Based interventions to Clients
    • Processing Trauma through Creativity
    • Facilitating Post-Traumatic Growth through Creativity

    Facilitator: Marian Connell

  • Saturday 6th February 2027.

    10am – 5pm. Zoom

    • Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue
    • Exploring the Therapist Triggers
    • Addressing Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue – Self Care

    Facilitator: Patricia Allen Garrett

  • Tuesday 9th February 2026.

    7:30pm – 9:30pm. Zoom

    Facilitator: Liz Quish

Programme Structure

certificate in trauma counseling

Programme Fee & Registration

Full Fee: €2,300
€500 on registration
€300 monthly for 6 months

Entry Requirement

This CPD Diploma is open to practitioners who have successfully completed a Degree or Diploma in Counselling/ Psychotherapy. It may also be of interest to Play Therapists, Art Therapists, Drama and Music Therapists who have appropriate experience and accreditation and are seeking to expand their skill set to work in an informed manner with Trauma.

Teaching Method

This programme will be facilitated entirely online on Zoom

Assessment

  • Reflective Learning Journals (2 x 2000 words each)
  • Book Review (1500 words)

Terms & Conditions:

Please read our Terms and Conditions document carefully. You will be required to indicate your consent on the programme application form.

Testimonials

Previous Participant Feedback

Have Additional Questions?

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any queries. We will be more than happy to answer any of your questions.

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