Trauma leaves a lasting imprint on the brain, shaping emotions, memory, behavior, and the nervous system’s ability to regulate stress. This course will provide clinicians with a foundational understanding of how trauma affects brain structures such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex and how these changes contribute to symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, dissociation, and emotional dysregulation. Participants will explore the neurobiology of the stress response, polyvagal theory, and the impact of early childhood adversity on brain development. This course will translate neuroscience into practical, evidence-based interventions that promote neuroplasticity, nervous system regulation, and trauma recovery. Attendees will learn how knowledge of the brain’s responses to trauma enhances treatment planning, informs therapeutic interventions, and fosters deeper client healing.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Understand how trauma impacts brain structures, neurotransmitters, and the autonomic nervous system, contributing to dysregulation and maladaptive coping.
- Identify how an understanding of trauma’s effects on the brain can guide treatment approaches, improve therapeutic attunement, and enhance client psychoeducation.
- Recognize how mindfulness, somatic regulation, EMDR, and other brain-based therapeutic techniques can support trauma recovery and promote resilience
Syllabus:
Introduction
- Welcome and Overview of the Topic
Objective #1: Describe the Neurobiological Mechanisms of Trauma
- Review the neuroscience of trauma and the stress response
- Understand the role of key brain structures: amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex
- Discuss how trauma affects neurotransmitters and the HPA axis
- Explore Polyvagal Theory and autonomic nervous system dysregulation
- Examine developmental trauma and the long-term impact of ACEs
Objective #2: Identify Clinical Symptoms and Treatment Opportunities
- Identify how trauma alters memory, behavior, and emotional regulation
- Overview of clinical symptoms: hypervigilance, avoidance, dissociation, affect dysregulation
- Understand trauma presentations in children, adolescents, and adults
- Explore how trauma impacts attachment, relational capacity, and interoception
- Recognize dissociation and default mode network disruptions
- Discuss common misdiagnoses and clinical blind spots in trauma treatment
Objective #3: Apply Practical, Brain-Based Interventions for Trauma Recovery
- Translate neuroscience into clinical practice
- Learn psychoeducation tools and metaphors (e.g., flipped lid, smoke detector brain)
- Introduce brain-based therapies: EMDR, somatic approaches, mindfulness, and IFS
- Practice co-regulation, bottom-up regulation strategies, and present-moment grounding
- Explore case vignettes and treatment adaptations for complex trauma
- Discuss therapist attunement, self-regulation, and ethical use of neuroscience in therapy
Key takeaways/Q&A
- Key takeaways and reflections
- Open discussion and final thoughts
Social workers completing this course receive2 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Samantha Silverberg-Stout, Ph.D., L.P.
Recording Date: June 12, 2025
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 2hrs 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