Course overview

A complete flyover of the course — from the Three E's to the six SAMHSA principles. Start here.

What this course is, who it's for, and what to expect across six self-paced modules.

The Three E's — Event, Experience, and Effect. Why the same event impacts people differently.

Dan Siegel's Hand Model — brainstem, limbic system, and cortex. Why the thinking brain goes offline.

Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn — four automatic responses. Why freeze is never a choice.

Long-term brain changes from chronic stress — hyperactive amygdala, diminished prefrontal cortex, and the science of neuroplasticity.

The zone where we can think, feel, and function — and what happens when we leave it.

When someone leaves their Window of Tolerance — practical paths back in for helpers and survivors.

Adverse Childhood Experiences — the landmark study linking childhood adversity to adult health.

A high ACE score is not a life sentence — protective factors, and the power of one caring adult.

Every behavior was once a solution — reframing what looks 'difficult' or 'irrational' as adaptive.

Hypervigilance, withdrawal, aggression, people-pleasing — trauma responses you'll recognize.

How trauma manifests in children ages 0–12: regression, attachment, play disruption.

Risk-taking, dissociation, relationship difficulties — age-specific trauma responses.

Sensory cues that activate the trauma alarm — sounds, smells, dates, situations.

When the brain can't tell past from present — how to respond when someone is triggered.

Trauma lives in the body: chronic pain, tension, illness. The mind-body connection.

Movement, breathing, and somatic practices that help release stored trauma.

How culture shapes the experience and expression of trauma — and our response to it.

Intersectionality in trauma work — the GRACES framework for self-awareness.

Physical, emotional, and relational safety — the foundation everything else is built on.

Environmental audits, micro-permissions, consistency — how to build safety deliberately.

Trust is built in micro-moments and demolished in seconds. Consistency and follow-through.

The power of 'me too' — why shared experience creates healing that professionals can't.

Power-with, not power-over — shared decision-making and goal-setting.

Restoring voice, choice, and agency — empowerment as the antidote to helplessness.

Not cultural competence — cultural humility. Approaching every person as the expert of their own life.

Attention, reflection, and restraint — the three components of active listening.

Three levels of validation and the 'AND instead of BUT' technique.

Calm is literally contagious. Match, then lead. Your nervous system regulates theirs.

The first 30 seconds — self-regulation, acknowledgment, avoiding power struggles.

Repair, follow-up, and accountability with compassion — what happens after matters most.

When someone shares abuse or trauma — what to say, what never to say, and confidentiality.

A fence with a gate — protection that still allows connection.

Burnout vs. compassion fatigue vs. vicarious trauma — knowing which one you're carrying.

Early signs, danger zone, and recovery steps — the oxygen mask principle.

Five domains of self-care: physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, professional.

Reflective (not just administrative) supervision and structured peer support groups.

Leadership, policies, hiring, environment — becoming trauma-informed at the systems level.

The savior complex, predictability as intervention, and volunteer-specific boundaries.

The re-traumatization filter: if this were done to ME, how would it feel?

Three changes you can make today. You will not be perfect — and that's okay. You are enough.

The full arc of a trauma-informed interaction from start to finish.

Walk back through all six modules in ten minutes. A refresher you can return to anytime.