Description
November 12, 2025 | 9:00am-12:00pm
FREE | 3 contact hours
Virtual via zoom
Description:
This training will consider three issues that are often neglected in discussions of trauma-informed care: (1) posttraumatic resilience and growth, (2) distinguishing classic from complex trauma responses, and (3) potential for vicarious trauma and vicarious transformation. Trauma informed care is an organizational stance that invites us to ask clients ”what happened to you?” rather than “what is wrong with you?” Yet, knowing that someone has experienced a potentially traumatic event does not necessarily imply that they are experiencing post traumatic stress symptoms. This presentation will explore the common outcome of posttraumatic resilience and the possibility of post traumatic growth. On the other hand, in recognition of the fact that early, repeated, and/or prolonged trauma exposure increases the likelihood of complex trauma and/or pathological sequelae, the presentation will elaborate on implications of classic vs. complex trauma for trauma-informed care. Finally, in light of the increasing recognition that professional work with traumatized clients (especially those with complex trauma) increases risk to therapists of developing vicarious trauma but also the possibility of vicarious transformation. Attendees will be invited to explore and apply these ideas to their own clinical cases.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the workshop, the learner will be able to.
1. Distinguish post-trauma resilience from post-traumatic growth.
2. Identify the variables that increase the complexity of trauma exposure.
3. Describe the mechanisms believed to be responsible for vicarious traumatization
Presenter:
Nnamdi Pole, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and a Chaired Professor of Psychology at Smith College, where he also serves as an Adjunct Faculty member in their School for Social Work. He was a former board member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), former executive committee member of the American Psychological Association (APA) Trauma Division (56), and former Division 56 council representative. He was a member of APA’s recent Adult PTSD Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) Update Panel and co-author of the APA Guidelines for Working with Adults with Complex Trauma Histories.
Contact hours:
3 contact hours for social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and behavioral health professionals
3 category I contact hours for psychologists. CCSME is a pre-approved sponsor and provider of Professional Education Activities for Psychologists.
3 contact hours for drug and alcohol counselors. This course has been approved by CCSME, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 6 educational credits. NAADAC Provider #324712. CCSME is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
3 contact hours for CHES. CCSME is a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
3 CMEs for physicians. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education and CCSME. The Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education designates this regularly scheduled series for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits(tm). Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. *Nurses and Nurse Practitioners will be awarded a certificate of participation with a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits(tm).
