Understanding PTSD: Trauma Support and Symptom Management
Learn the foundational concepts of post-traumatic stress disorder, recognize key symptoms, and explore evidence-based strategies for trauma recovery and support.
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About this course
Course contents
5 modules · 26 lessons · 3h 2m
1
Foundations of Trauma
Define trauma and understand the formal criteria for PTSD.
- What is Trauma?
Define trauma as an overwhelming event that exceeds a person's ability to cope.7 min - Types of Trauma
Distinguish between acute, chronic, and complex trauma.7 min - The Diagnostic Lens
Explain the DSM-5 criteria used by professionals to diagnose PTSD.7 min - Trauma vs. Everyday Stress
Differentiate between normal stress responses and clinical trauma-related stress.7 min - Dispelling Myths
Address common misconceptions about PTSD to build an empathetic foundation.7 min
2
The Biology of the Traumatized Brain
Explain how trauma physically changes brain function and the nervous system.
- The Survival Brain
Introduction to the brain's architecture and why it prioritizes survival over logic during trauma.7 min - The Amygdala: The Smoke Detector
Explain how the amygdala becomes hyper-sensitized after trauma.7 min - The Hippocampus: The Time Stamper
Understand why trauma memories feel 'stuck' in the present due to hippocampal changes.7 min - The Prefrontal Cortex: The Watchtower
Analyze how trauma weakens the brain's ability to 'think' its way out of fear.7 min - The Nervous System Response
Explore the Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn responses in the context of the Autonomic Nervous System.7 min
3
Identifying Symptoms in Everyday Life
Recognize the diverse ways trauma manifests emotionally, cognitively, and physically.
- Intrusive Memories
Identify emotional symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and distressing thoughts.7 min - The Pattern of Avoidance
Recognize how avoiding people, places, or feelings is a core symptom of PTSD.7 min - Cognitive Shifts
Understand how trauma changes beliefs about self-worth and safety in the world.7 min - Hyperarousal and Reactivity
Identify symptoms like irritability, sleep disturbances, and being easily startled.7 min - The Body's Score
Connect physical symptoms like chronic pain or tension to past traumatic experiences.7 min
4
Therapeutic Approaches and Care
Explore professional treatments and the principles of trauma-informed support.
- Trauma-Informed Care
Learn the core principles of safety, choice, and empowerment in support roles.7 min - Talk Therapies: CBT and CPT
Overview of how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps reframe traumatic thoughts.7 min - Body-Based Therapies: EMDR
Introduction to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and somatic work.7 min - The Role of Medication
Understand how pharmacological interventions can support symptom management.7 min - Modern Pathways to Recovery
Explore holistic and contemporary approaches to long-term healing.7 min
5
Practical Tools for Management
Develop a toolkit of grounding and self-regulation techniques.
- The Window of Tolerance
Learn to identify when you are hyper-aroused or hypo-aroused.7 min - Grounding: The 5-4-3-2-1 Technique
Practice a sensory-based exercise to return to the present moment.7 min - Breathing for Regulation
Apply specific breathing patterns to calm the nervous system.7 min - Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
Use non-judgmental awareness to manage difficult emotional states.7 min - Creating a Safety Plan
Develop a written plan for managing triggers before they happen.7 min - Reflective Writing for Processing
Use guided prompts to integrate the course learnings into personal understanding.7 min
Personal Trauma-Informed Support Plan
Synthesize the course concepts by creating a comprehensive support guide for yourself or a peer, including symptom identification and a regulation toolkit.
What you'll get
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Short & focused
3h 2m of practical content
Certificate of completion
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Frequently asked
What do I need to take this course? +
Just a phone or computer with internet. No installs, no special hardware.
How do I pay? +
By card via Stripe. We don’t store card details — Stripe handles them securely.
Can I get a refund? +
Yes — full refund within 14 days, no questions asked.
How long will I have access? +
Forever. Once you purchase, the course is yours to revisit anytime.
Will I get a certificate? +
Yes. On completion you'll receive a certificate you can add to your LinkedIn profile.
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