Level 6 Diploma in Trauma-Informed Practice

Beyond Trauma Awareness: Formulation, Intervention and Relational Practice

This advanced practitioner course offers a professional development route for qualified counsellors, psychotherapists, supervisors and trauma practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding of trauma and strengthen their clinical practice.

Moving beyond trauma awareness, the course explores how trauma affects the nervous system, body, relationships, identity and sense of meaning. Participants will develop their ability to understand complex presentations, formulate client difficulties and make informed decisions about stabilisation, intervention and referral.

The programme combines contemporary trauma theory with practical exercises, case discussions and reflective learning. Throughout the ten training days, participants will use a Rapid Trauma Evaluation (RTE) framework to connect assessment, formulation and treatment planning, with an emphasis on safe, ethical practice within their professional competence.

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for qualified counsellors, psychotherapists, supervisors and trauma practitioners seeking to develop their work with people affected by trauma.

It is particularly relevant to practitioners who wish to move beyond recognising trauma towards understanding how a client’s experiences and survival responses inform their current difficulties, relationships and therapeutic needs.

Key Study Areas

• Trauma-informed assessment, Rapid Trauma Evaluation and formulation
• The impact of trauma on the brain, body and nervous system
• Attachment, developmental trauma and relational patterns
• Shame, identity and meaning-making
• Dissociation, parts of self and emotional regulation
• Stabilisation, readiness and the selection of appropriate interventions
• Complex and cumulative trauma
• Culture, diversity, oppression and social context
• Online practice, risk assessment and safeguarding
• Vicarious trauma, practitioner resilience and clinical integration

What will I gain from the course?

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

• Critically evaluate contemporary trauma theory and trauma-informed principles.
• Apply the RTE framework to assessment, formulation and treatment planning.
• Understand trauma through bodily, emotional, developmental and relational perspectives.
• Recognise dissociation and identify appropriate responses within their competence.
• Explore the role of shame, identity and meaning-making in trauma recovery.
• Select and justify trauma-informed interventions appropriate to the client’s presentation, needs and readiness.
• Make informed decisions about stabilisation, further assessment and referral.
• Apply trauma-informed principles to face-to-face and online practice.
• Reflect on culture, power and social context within assessment and therapeutic work.
• Recognise the impact of vicarious trauma and develop strategies to support practitioner wellbeing.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold:

• A Level 4 Diploma in Counselling.
• A minimum of one year’s post-qualification experience in counselling practice.

Course Structure

The programme comprises ten training days, beginning in January 2027. Learning combines theory, practical exercises, case formulation, clinical discussion and reflection, supporting participants to integrate their learning into their existing practice.

The course introduces a range of trauma intervention approaches to inform clinical understanding and decision-making.

Course Dates & Times

This course will run on one Saturday per month over 10 months. 

Three classes will be held on Zoom in April, July and October. Class times 9.30am – 4pm.

2027

Jan 30th, Feb 27th, March 20th, April 24th (Zoom), May 29th, June 26th, July 17th (Zoom), Sept 25th, Oct 23rd (Zoom), Nov 27th.

Fees

£1,950 for all tuition and registration. A deposit of £450 will be required before starting the course.

Payment options following the initial deposit:

1. We are happy to spread the remaining fees over 10 monthly payments of £150 each
2. You can pay the remaining course fee in full

If a third party organisation is paying your fees we will need a purchase order number from them and full payment must be made before the start of the course.

How to apply

Click the Apply for Course button below to complete our online application form. If you need any further information before applying, please use the Got Questions button.