Trauma Counselling
Course
Course Overview
Trauma impacts individuals, families, and communities in complex ways. For many people, the first point of support after a crisis is not a psychologist, but a counsellor, HR officer, NGO volunteer, community leader, or faith worker. This course equips non-registered professionals with practical tools to provide immediate care, stabilize distress, and refer appropriately, without stepping into therapy.
Participants will learn the principles of trauma-informed care, practice safe communication and containment techniques, and engage with expressive and somatic approaches that can be used in community, workplace, and crisis settings. This is a skills-focused, 4-week short course designed to empower helpers to provide safe, ethical, and effective first-line support.
World Class Up to Date Scientifically Grounded
Course Details
- Next Start Date: 28 October 2025
- R3500.00
- 4 weeks
- Presented 100% Online
- Presented by Qualified and Registered Professionals
Course Curriculum
Introduction to Trauma & Safe Communication
What trauma is: acute, chronic, complex, and collective trauma
Neurobiology: stress response system (fight, flight, freeze) and body impact
Common trauma responses: cognitive, emotional, behavioural, somatic
Safe boundaries: what non-professionals can and cannot do
Supportive communication skills
Trauma-Informed Care & Immediate Techniques
Trauma-informed principles: safety, trust, empowerment, collaboration, cultural humility
Psychological First Aid (PFA: Look, Listen, Link)
Crisis intervention basics
Self-care and boundaries for helpers
Practice: Role-play PFA, breathing techniques, crisis response simulations
Expressive & Somatic Approaches for Stabilization
Somatic grounding and body regulation
Expressive techniques: art, journaling, storytelling, movement, music
Safe use of non-clinical expressive approaches
Practice: Somatic practices, breathing circles, art and journaling activities, group debrief
Integration, Ethics, and Referral Pathways
Ethical considerations: confidentiality, boundaries, mandatory reporting
warning signs, scope of practice and referral pathways
Vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue
Practice: Simulation of trauma response, self-care planning, closing reflections
Course Materials
- Course Content and readings on coaching theory, ethics, and practice
- Video lectures and tutorials on coaching techniques and skills
- Case studies and real-world examples of coaching scenarios
- Interactive exercises and worksheets for skill development
- Supplementary resources and recommended readings for further exploration
Course Requirements
- Access to a computer with internet connectivity
- Commitment to 6 hours of coursework per week
- Participation in interactive discussions and activities
- Completion of assignments, assessments, and a capstone project
- Willingness to engage in self-reflection and personal growth throughout the course
Other Information
Upon successful completion of the course requirements, including participation in discussions, completion of assignments, participants will receive a certificate of completion in Trauma counselling from Equip and be eligible for registration as a trauma facilitator.
Yes, you have the option to pay upfront, over 2 months or over 3 months. An initial payment is needed to secure your spot on the course. You can pay via credit/debit card or via EFT.
Yes, due to the nature of our courses, spots are limited and only secured once your fist payment, or full upfront payment has been received.
After completion of the course you are eligible to register as a trauma facilitator and practice as such. Employment opportunities may be available at organisations, immediate care facilities or NGOs. Please note that we always recommend that you register with an official body for ethical protection.
Yes, materials are available forever to all course participants via email and links to the videos. Please note that sharing these with anybody without prior permission is considered a punishable offence.
