Most clients carry some trauma history, whatever brings them to therapy, and clinicians need to account for it. This course looks at the ethics of trauma-informed care, a framework that recognizes how widely trauma affects people and responds to it. You will review its core principles: safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration and empowerment. The course also covers the ethical challenges of keeping professional boundaries while building a therapeutic alliance based on empathy and understanding. You will look at ways to manage countertransference and practice self-care to prevent burnout, which matters in trauma-focused work. By the end, you will be better able to build ethical considerations into a trauma-informed practice and support clients on their healing journeys.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Describe the components of an ethical trauma-informed practice.
- Recognize how to best serve their clients who have a trauma history.
- Formulate a plan to ensure that clients feel safe during the therapy session.
- Apply a series of steps to minimize client triggering during session.
Syllabus:
Introduction
- Welcome and brief overview of the session structure.
- Gratitude practice and participant check-in.
- Outline of training logistics and CE certificate process.
Objective #1: Define the ethical foundations of trauma-informed care.
- Describe the principle of “Do no harm” as a central ethical guideline.
- Discuss professional responsibilities when working with trauma survivors.
- Review ethical considerations related to client safety and practitioner self-awareness.
Objective #2: Explore the mind–body connection and its relevance to trauma work.
- Engage in a visualization exercise introducing the concept of the “container.”
- Discuss adaptations for clients with aphantasia or difficulty visualizing.
- Examine how emotional memory and the inner child influence therapeutic processes.
Objective #3: Identify developmental patterns and decision-making processes.
- Differentiate between child, teen, and adult responses in clients.
- Discuss how past experiences shape present choices and relational dynamics.
- Explore therapeutic strategies for recognizing and integrating these responses.
Objective #4: Examine the role of narrative and metaphor in trauma recovery.
- Identify how client beliefs are formed and maintained through life experiences.
- Discuss the use of storytelling and metaphor as tools for insight and healing.
- Practice applying these methods to enhance client understanding and empowerment.
Summary / Q & A
- Review key takeaways, ethical insights, and intervention strategies.
- Address participant questions and discuss applications to clinical practice.
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Ethics asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 hours of Ethics continuing education training.
Instructor: Dreya Blume, LCSW
Recording Date: February 1, 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 3hrs Ethics 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.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com