Trauma Treatment Course
Trauma and Kids
Trainer: Erika Yourdan
 Available on-demand
What if you could be the key to transforming a child’s life after trauma? In the Trauma and Kids course, guided by expert Erika A. Yourdan, Ph.D. Candidate, LMFT-S, LAC, LCDC, you’ll gain the essential knowledge and skills to do just that. This course goes beyond the basics, offering a deep dive into the complex effects of childhood trauma on development and providing you with practical, trauma-informed approaches that can truly make a difference. Learn how to identify the subtle signs of trauma, understand its profound neurobiological impacts, and implement strategies that promote healing and resilience in your young clients.
Are you ready to take your therapeutic practice to the next level? By enrolling in Trauma & Kids, you’ll not only enhance your ability to support children but also contribute to breaking the cycle of trauma for future generations. This course is your opportunity to become a more effective, compassionate therapist who can offer hope and healing to children and families affected by trauma. Join us and be part of the solution—because every child deserves the chance to thrive.Â
This course was recorded on May 22, 2024.
Available for asynchronous on-demand.
This course is an individual module from our Foundations of Traumatology: Key Skills for Trauma Therapy program, which is a 20 CE, 9 module program. You can get access to this module, and 8 more modules with the entire comprehensive program!
COURSE DETAILS
The Trauma & Kids course, presented by Erika A. Yourdan, Ph.D. Candidate, LMFT-S, LAC, LCDC, offers a comprehensive exploration of childhood trauma and its profound impact on development. The course begins by defining childhood trauma, emphasizing that it encompasses a wide range of experiences, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence. It underscores that these experiences can have long-lasting effects on a child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development, often leading to challenges in forming healthy attachments and relationships.
The course delves into the neurobiological impact of trauma, highlighting how traumatic experiences can alter the structure and function of the brain, particularly in areas such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex. These changes can increase vulnerability to mental health issues later in life, including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. The course also discusses the concept of epigenetic modifications, which can further influence long-term outcomes by altering gene expression related to stress and emotional regulation.
A significant portion of the course is dedicated to discussing the importance of early intervention and the role of protective factors in mitigating the effects of trauma. It emphasizes the need for supportive relationships, access to mental health services, and environments that foster safety and resilience. The course concludes with practical strategies for identifying signs of trauma in children, preventing re-traumatization, and promoting human-oriented, trauma-informed care that is sensitive to the unique needs of each child.
AGENDA
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Intro (10 mins)
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Introduction to Trauma & Children (20 mins)
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Impact of Trauma of Child Development (20 min)
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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (25 min)
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Autonomic Nervous System (25 min)
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Recognizing Signs of Childhood Trauma (20 min)
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Human-Oriented Care + Trauma Informed (30 min)
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Support Systems (25 min)
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Professional Role (20 min)
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Review & Closure (10 min)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Describe the relationship between adverse childhood outcomes and later adult functioning.
- List two ways childhood trauma impacts each of the following areas: cognitive, social, and emotional.
- Describe the relationship between childhood trauma and the generational transmission of symptomatology.
- Assess the association between childhood vagal tone and long-term outcomes.
- List two examples of an ecosystem and describe their role in building a support system.
ABOUT YOUR TRAINER, ERIKA YOURDAN
Erika is an LMFT-Supervisor, an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, EMDRIA approved consultant, and a doctoral candidate. She is also a licensed addiction counselor and a licensed chemical dependency counselor.
Erika owns a group practice, The Sum of You Counseling, PLLC, in Abilene, Texas where she regularly offers EMDR intensives and specializes in complex and generational trauma, substance use, and EMDR with couples and families.
Both in therapy and in teaching roles, Erika approaches with curiosity, compassion, and an invitation to gently lean into the unknown.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
