Trauma and the Brain
Hours: 1.25
Many people intuitively understand that a traumatic blow to the head can result in damage to the brain, leading to potentially devastating functional impairment or even death. However, many people, even experienced clinicians, do not always understand that emotional traumas, such as abuse and neglect, also lead to structural and functional brain changes with concomitant symptoms and difficulties. These changes can essentially hardwire the brain to experience heightened fear reactions and other maladaptive responses to environmental triggers. This course is designed for licensed professionals with some foundational knowledge of both trauma and neurobiology. We will delve into the specific ways that psychological and physical trauma can impact both the developing brain during childhood and adolescence, as well as how trauma affects the mature, adult brain. We will also explore some general treatment considerations of which you should be aware so that you can more effectively support individuals who have experienced trauma.
Many people intuitively understand that a traumatic blow to the head can result in damage to the brain, leading to potentially devastating functional impairment or even death. However, many people, even experienced clinicians, do not always understand that emotional traumas, such as abuse and neglect, also lead to structural and functional brain changes with concomitant symptoms and difficulties. These changes can essentially hardwire the brain to experience heightened fear reactions and other maladaptive responses to environmental triggers. This course is designed for licensed professionals with some foundational knowledge of both trauma and neurobiology. We will delve into the specific ways that psychological and physical trauma can impact both the developing brain during childhood and adolescence, as well as how trauma affects the mature, adult brain. We will also explore some general treatment considerations of which you should be aware so that you can more effectively support individuals who have experienced trauma.
Illinois Professional Counselor/Clinical Counselor
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals
Education hours MCBAP-S
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
National Board for Certified Counselors
Relias, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No.6110. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Relias , LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
Ohio Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Provider # RTX050401
CEBroker Provider 50-290
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours
Ohio Professional Counselor Board
Ohio Counselor, Social WOrker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Provider # RCX100502
CEBroker Provider: 50-290
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
Texas State Board of Professional Counselors
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
Breining Institute for Registered Addiction Specialists
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board
Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
Content Area: R1/Treatment
Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, Division of Professional Licensing Services, Social Work Unit
Relias, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0009.
Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of licensed master social work and licensed clinical social work in New York. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice for an LMSW and LCSW. A licensee who practices beyond the authorized scope of practice could be charged with unprofessional conduct under the Education Law and Regents Rules.
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias Learning are considered “self-study” under section 74.10(c)(2)(ii)(b)(4) of the Commissioner’s Regulations. The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
Social workers will receive 1.25 continuing education hours for participating in this course. This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
Florida Board of Psychology
Florida Board Of Psychology (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Illinois, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Marriage and Family Therapist Continuing Education Sponsor
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
Missouri Credentialing Board
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Mental Health Practitioners, Mental Health Counselors (MHC)
Relias, LLC, is recognized by New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0011
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias, LLC are considered "self-study". The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Mental Health Practitioners, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT)
Relias, LLC, is recognized by New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. #MFT-0009
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias are considered "self-study". The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals
This course has been approved by Relias LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.25 CE. NAADAC Provider #86124, Relias, LLC is responsible for all
aspects of their programming.
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
Ohio Social Worker Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
CEBroker Provider: 50-290
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board of Psychology
Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors
Connecticut Certification Board
This activity is approved for 1.25 contact hours.
South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners
South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners (CEBroker Provider 50-290)
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals
Provider approved by CCAPP, Provider number 1S-06-729-0220 for 1.25 CEH's
Specify the impact emotional and physical trauma has on the developing brain.
Describe the impact emotional and physical trauma has on the adult brain.
Identify the ways treatment interventions for PTSD lead to neurobiological changes.
Outline:
Trauma and the Brain
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: The Neurobiology of Trauma
Meet Mark and Derrek
Healthy Brain Development
The Basics of Brain Development and Structure
Trauma and Well-Being
The Neurobiology of PTSD
Quick Check
Neural Transmission and Trauma: Myelination
Synaptic Pruning
The Brain’s Adaptive Alarm System
The HPA Axis and Stress
When Trauma Hijacks the Brain
Review
Summary
Section 3: Trauma’s Impact on the Developing Brain
Critical and Sensitive Periods of Brain Development
Trauma During Sensitive Periods
The Impact of Physical Trauma
Psychological Trauma
Dysregulated Stress Response
Structural Changes in the Brain
Trauma and Synaptic Pruning
Integration
Brain Adaptability: Plasticity
Review
Summary
Section 4: Trauma and the Developed Brain
The Adult Brain
The Typical Aging Brain
Trauma and the Developed Brain
Neural Circuits
TBI in Adults
Meet Ryan
Summary
Section 5: Treatment Considerations When Working with Individuals Who Have Experienced Trauma
Effective Psychotherapy Components
Goals of Therapy Components
Medications and PTSD Symptoms
10 Tips for Improving Trauma-Informed Care
Child-Specific Tips
TBI and Therapy
Review
Summary
Section 6: Conclusion
Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Congratulations!
Exam and BrainSparks
Staff Writer: Monique Kahn, Psy.D.Bridgett Ross, Psy.D. received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Boston College and then her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University. She is a licensed psychologist in California and was in private practice for 13 years treating various issues including trauma, anxiety and mood disorders, grief/loss, and issues around self-concept, identity, and attachment. Having supervised pre-licensed and licensed clinicians, she maintains an interest in professional issues in the field of psychology. Dr. Ross’ training and work history include Children’s Hospital Chadwick Center for Children and Families, Kaiser Permanente, Alvarado Parkway Institute, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, which informed her focus on providing evidence-based trauma treatment to diverse populations.
Disclosure: Bridgett Ross, PsyD has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.
Monique Kahn, Psy.D. received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She completed a pre-doctoral internship at Spokane Mental Health in Washington, which included specialty rotations in behavioral medicine and time-limited psychotherapies. She is licensed as a psychologist in Maine, where she was in private practice for 14 years, providing services to adult clients with varied presenting issues, but with particular emphasis on the treatment of anxiety disorders, the relationship between psychosocial stress and illness, insomnia, and coping with chronic illness. She has taught in the undergraduate psychology program at Husson University in Maine. In addition, she has worked as a content writer and psychology subject matter expert for several major educational publishing firms. She joined Relias as a clinical content writer and subject matter expert in 2016. Disclosure: Monique Kahn, Psy.D. has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.
The target audience for this course is: Entry level Psychologists; Intermediate level Alcohol and Drug Counselors; Intermediate level Marriage and Family Therapists; Intermediate level Professional Counselors; Intermediate level Social Workers; Nurses; in the following settings: Health and Human Services.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
Relias has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Customer Support here.
