Build your capacity to understand, respond to and support healing from trauma.
The Trauma certificate offers a comprehensive and practical foundation in trauma theory, assessment and intervention. Created for helping professionals across disciplines, this program delves into the complex and far-reaching impacts—on the body, memory and daily life. Participants will gain the skills to recognize and respond to trauma in diverse individuals, communities and systems.
Grounded in current research and evidence-informed practices, the program explores both immediate and long-term effects of trauma through a multidisciplinary lens. Participants will examine various types of trauma—including complex, interpersonal violence, gender-based violence and displacement—and consider how intersecting issues such as addiction and loss may complicate trauma.
The program also supports those who work closely with trauma survivors by offering tools for self-awareness, reflection and self-care—recognizing that caring for others begins with caring for ourselves.
Completion Requirements
To complete the Trauma certificate, you must take a minimum of 84 course hours. It is strongly recommended that you take the Foundations of Trauma course if you do not have extensive training or experience working with trauma. You can complete this certificate in as little as one year or take up to seven years.
You do not have to be working toward the Trauma certificate to take any of these courses.
Participation and Attendance
Full attendance and participation are required to complete these courses. For the 'remote' courses, participants are requested, as much as possible, to have their cameras on. We know there are situations where this is not possible, so please send a message to your instructor or the Professional Development host to let them know that you are unable to turn on your camera. Our courses are interactive and include breakout rooms, role play, group discussions and other activities. Participation is required.
For the 'online' (asynchronous) courses, participants must complete the short quiz at the end of each module after reading the course material, and participate in the mandatory discussion board questions.
Four + Discount
Register for four or more courses at once to apply a 10% discount in your cart on the cost of each course. You must register and pay for all courses at the same time; discount is not cumulative or retroactive. If discount is not being applied at time of registration, contact fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca for assistance. Discount cannot be applied after registration is complete.
Delivery Options
The Trauma certificate courses are available asynchronously online and remotely through Zoom.
Registration
No application is required. To register, select a course from the menu on the right, then a course section to view the dates and cost or add the course to your cart. Complete your registration with payment.
Becoming a Therapist
Completing the Trauma certificate will not qualify you to register with any college or association, including the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Please visit those websites for information on becoming a therapist in Ontario, or your provincial regulatory college.
Contact Information
For more information about this certificate contact the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development office:
Email: fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca
Phone: 548-889-5128
See our website and Frequently Asked Questions for more information.