There are four levels of development in treating psychological trauma.

1. Being trauma-informed: This is a broad stroke meaning that you recognize that trauma is a pivotal experience in your client’s lives and yours.
2. Adopting a trauma-informed approach: Now that you have recognition of the importance of trauma in your client’s life, you should want to make some changes in the way you practice. At this level, you need to make an intentional shift in your approach from one that asks, “What’s wrong with you?” to one that asks, “What’s happened to you?” Making this shift means you will add trauma assessments, like the Simple Trauma Source Assessment© (STSA), to your evaluations. Also, you will begin to educate your clients on the links between their symptoms, like substance use, depression or anxiety, and experiences of childhood trauma. You may use the Trauma Impact Matrix© or the ACE Pyramid Handout. You may also consider the Trauma Survivor BluePrint© to help clients understand how they became a trauma-survivor and came to adopt a trauma-survivor identity. Denice Colson, Ph.D., LPC-S, MAC, CCS, DAAETS of Trauma Education & Consultation Services, Inc. has developed all of these tools for your use, whether or not you move up to the next level.
3. Adopt a trauma-specific treatment model: There are many trauma-specific models to choose from now. One of those, The Strategic Trauma & Abuse Recovery System® is a comprehensive, spiritually-integrated approach covering all three recommended phases of recovery (safety, grieving, and integrating) in one seamless model. The STAR System serves as a map to guide both the counselor and the client through twelve stages of recovery in a collaborative partnership, within a spiritual context.
4. Become a Trauma-Expert: Practicing a trauma-specific model since 1993, Dr. Colson has attained Diplomat status with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress.

You, too, can become a trauma expert by adopting and practicing a trauma-specific model that meets all of the recommended criteria for treatment by SAMHSA. Learn more about The Strategic Trauma & Abuse Recovery System® at www.TraumaEducation.com, or you can read how to apply Phase 1 of trauma recovery in a Christian context in Dr. Colson’s book, Break Every Stinking Chain! Healing for Hidden Wounds, available at Amazon.com. Certification in The Strategic Trauma & Abuse Recovery System® is now available and starts with attending a three-day Level 1 workshop.

Strategic Trauma and Abuse Recovery©: A Detailed Map for Healing

April 25-27, 2019          Influencer’s Church, 5095 Post Road, Cumming, GA, 30040         

June 20-22, 2019           Cord of Three Counseling, 204 S Crawford St, Waycross, GA 31503

Nov 7-9, 2019          Eagle’s Landing FBC, 2400 Hwy 42N, McDonough, GA 30253

Regular price is $425 and includes 18 CORE CEs approved by the LPCA of GA. Early-Bird discounts are available.

Treating the Trauma of Substance Use Disorders Using the Strategic Trauma & Abuse Recovery System

Sept 13, 2019, Eagle’s Landing FBC, 2400 Hwy 42N, McDonough, GA 30253

Regular price is $150 and includes 6 CORE CEs approved by the LPCA of GA and ADACBGA. Early-Bird discounts are available.