SW 6246 - 60 Trauma Informed Practice I

Trauma Informed Practice I is the preliminary course in the practice sequence at the specialty level of the Trauma Informed Care Concentration. The practice sequence has three interrelated foci: Violence and Trauma; Mental Health and Recovery; and Health and Wellbeing. This provides a multi-level social work perspective based on best practices and theory that promote healthy individual development as well as environments that support human development. Practice I introduces the sequential model of trauma treatment and recovery, specifically focusing on the first phase regaining a sense of safety, non-toxic self-regulation and self-smoothing and transitioning into the second phase, starting active work upon the trauma. The language of trauma is interpreted as an adaptational coping response to violence. The student becomes an interpreter of the language of what maladaptive behavior is trying to tell us, and how a more humanistic use of biological-psychological-social-cultural/spiritual interventions is synchronous with social work ethics and values. Specific methodologies practiced may include Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, Mindfulness, Creating Sanctuary and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy using both individual and group modalities. Prerequisite(s): Completion of first year of M.S.W. program, or graduation from a Council on Social Work Education accredited undergraduate curriculum.