In their book Nurturing Resilience, Kathy Kain and Stephen Terrell explore the impact of preverbal and prememory trauma on developmental physiology and adaptive responses. What makes this book significant is how the authors synthesize findings from attachment theory, polyvagal theory, brain development, and trauma physiology into a unified conceptualization of how to heal from trauma. In this training, we will do a deep dive into the world of neuroscience and trauma, and learn practical ways to deepen our practices as trauma-informed clinicians who can then best assist our clients in building their resilience.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the impact of early traumatic experiences on the nervous system
- Identify the importance of somatic work on healing from trauma
- Review how attachment theory, polyvagal theory, and brain development are connected to adaptive responses to trauma
- Discuss how to build resilience after trauma
- Understand how to assist clients in creating a sense of safety and regulation
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Foundations of Developmental Trauma
- Define developmental trauma as distinct from shock trauma
- Understand the long-term impact of early adverse experiences on the nervous system
- Explore trauma through a neurodevelopmental and attachment-based lens
- Recognize how childhood adaptations shape adult functioning and relational styles
Objective #2: Attachment, Regulation, and Early Development
- Review attachment theory and the essential conditions for secure bonding
- Understand the role of co-regulation in developing emotional self-regulation
- Identify how attachment ruptures and caregiver inconsistency lead to dysregulation
- Examine how early relationships form the foundation for resilience and self-concept
Objective #3: Interoception, Exteroception, and Neuroception
- Define interoception as awareness of internal bodily states
- Define exteroception as awareness of the external environment
- Define neuroception as the subconscious scanning for cues of safety or danger
- Explore how trauma distorts these systems, leading to chronic threat perception
Objective #4: Polyvagal Theory and the Nervous System
- Review the sympathetic, dorsal vagal, and ventral vagal branches of the autonomic nervous system
- Identify how trauma creates chronic activation of survival states
- Understand the developmental timeline of vagus nerve maturation and co-regulation needs
- Examine how nervous system imbalances affect behavior, cognition, and social engagement
Objective #5: Defensive Accommodations and Survival Physiology
- Define defensive accommodations as adaptations to overwhelming environments
- Identify common patterns including dissociation, repression, intellectualization, and denial
- Explore the connection between trauma and the creation of a “faux” window of tolerance
- Understand the energetic cost and emotional limitations of these protective responses
Objective #6: Locus of Control and Somatic Imprints
- Explore how early caregiving influences internal versus external locus of control
- Recognize how trauma limits perceived agency and fuels defensive behaviors
- Understand how nonverbal trauma imprints create neural templates for future experiences
- Link early helplessness to adult beliefs about control, safety, and responsibility
Objective #7: Clinical Implications and Regulation Work
- Emphasize regulation as the core of developmental trauma treatment
- Provide co-regulation through presence, attunement, and predictable boundaries
- Support clients in recognizing somatic signals of safety and danger
- Foster interoceptive awareness and somatic vocabulary for safety, connection, and pleasure
- Use incremental challenges to expand the client’s true window of tolerance
Objective #8: Healing through Relationship and Touch
- Use therapeutic presence to offer a secure base and safe haven
- Consider the ethical and effective application of touch when appropriate
- Recognize the power of attuned, regulated clinician responses to promote healing
- Engage somatic-based psychotherapies such as Somatic Experiencing
Objective #9: Repairing Attachment and Building Resilience
- Focus on long-term work to restore self-regulation and relational trust
- Encourage new neural pathways through safe, responsive relationships
- Help clients reclaim agency, meaning, and connectedness
- Recognize that what didn’t happen in infancy can begin to happen in therapy
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Dreya Blume, LCSW
Recording Date: 1/26/2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com