The aim of this short course is to encourage researchers and practitioners to actively reflect and gain insight into your current work situations, the effect of your own experience on your clients, and to learn methods for self-care.
The course offers an innovative learning opportunity for students to explore the effects of working and researching with traumatised people. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their personal experiences of this work.
There will be input from global experts including:
- a world-leading American educator on care and power dynamics
- an internationally recognised choreographer specialising in movement and the arts
- a Jungian analyst who will provide tips on spiritual practice
- a master trainer offering guidance through somatic regulation who will provide a rich and diverse learning experience.
Undergirding the course are core philosophical and psychological insights delivered by scholars and authors of key tests used on the course. This short course will enable students to better understand the way in which trauma might be affecting them in their practice and/or research.
Students will be helped in developing tools to get the best out of their work, whilst offering insights for well-being support when working with survivors of trauma.
The course will enable students to explore tools for engaging with safe and effective trauma informed practice in the future, and intends to develop ethical and trauma informed reflection for those engaging in arts based and alternative forms of survivor care, and practice.
It will equip researchers and practitioners who engage with traumatised populations in an ongoing and long term capacity, to explore safe and ethical trauma informed practice.
Dates and times
The course will run over one week in person on campus, and online:
- Monday 8th July to Saturday 13th July 2024
These can be attended remotely if preferred. This is to facilitate offering the course to an international cohort and people outside London.
In addition, students will need to prepare independently through self-study. Details, materials, and guidance will be provided.
Price
The full cost is £750 excluding the course assessment. Participants can opt to take the course assessment at an additional cost of £250. The deposit cost is £50, payable upon application.
St Mary's University alumni will receive a 20% discount, please email Short Courses.
St Mary's University staff and students can receive a 10% discount. Please use the booking link on the discounted Short Courses page (St Mary's login required).
The course fee excludes refreshments and accommodation. Information on accommodation on campus or in local hotels can be provided upon request.
Please ensure you can commit to the scheduled dates as unfortunately we are unable to give refunds.
Content
This course is aimed to equip researchers and practitioners who engage with traumatised populations in an ongoing and long term capacity to explore safe and ethical trauma informed practice.
Whilst much commendable research has been done surrounding effective trauma informed practices for survivors themselves, there is less work done on assessing the impact of secondary trauma on researchers and practitioners who engage with this work.
There are few educational opportunities for researchers and practitioners to gain skills in trauma informed practices for themselves. Such skills enable individuals to assess and interpret the ongoing effects of interacting with trauma in their own work environment, be it through interviews, provision of services, or direct administration of care.
The aim is to combine methods of developing ethical reflection as part of practice, as well as considering the effects of trauma on an individual’s experiences.
Referencing the somatic aspects of trauma, embodied regulation methods would be drawn into wider conversations of trauma informed practice.
Assessment
A final reflective portfolio (5,000 words).
The assessment is a portfolio compilation of critical reflections, based on main themes generated from the content of the module. These themes are then critically assessed and reflected on in light of the student's own research and practitioner experience.
This will also contain a reflective piece that applies theory critically to the student's individual contexts, in order to create an integrated framework for students to use in their communities. The content will be based on key aspects of bodied knowledge, research and dissemination, trauma regulation, hope-based practices, and trauma-informed survivor care.
Requirements
This is a practice-based course for researchers and professionals working in the sector. Therefore, it is expected that your role will bring you into contact with victims/survivors of trauma.
A minimum 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) in arts, humanities, or social sciences. Undergraduate degrees in other disciplines may be considered.
Applicants with two years of relevant non-certified learning and professional experience in a relevant field of work, such as health, social services, police, and third sector organisations will also be considered.
International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section (or equivalent).
Award
Successful students will receive a certificate of attendance and a transcript detailing 20 credits at Master's level. Please note that the transcript will follow once internal and external quality assurance processes have been completed.
Application
Please complete the application form to apply for this course and forward references and evidence to supporting your application to shortcourses@stmarys.ac.uk.
Upon acceptance you will be required to pay a £50 deposit to secure your place. The balance can either be paid in full or by three instalments.
For more information about this course please contact the Short Courses team: