AID In PA is accepting applicants for its April 2025 TRAIN program. This free training program was developed for therapists, counselors, and clinical social workers who already have experience working with clients who have an Intellectual Disability and/or Autism (ID/A) diagnosis and are looking to gain knowledge and skills related to trauma therapy.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism are at an increased risk of experiencing trauma. TRAIN is an integrative and neuro-affirming approach to trauma-focused care with neurodivergent adults, centering clinical work with the ID/A communities. After completing the 12 weeks of learning, participants have the option to continue their training through clinical consultation with the developers of TRAIN. You must currently be licensed and provide 1:1 talk therapy sessions to qualify for this course and participate in the case consultation presentations.
The TRAIN program focuses on:
- Trauma-focused mental healthcare
- Types and prevalence of trauma
- Ethical principles of reporting abuse
- Neurodiversity and Neuro-affirming practices
- Expressions of trauma
- Assessing trauma and trauma-focused interviews
- Trauma-focused and neuro-affirming psychoeducation
- Trauma response management strategies and nervous system regulation strategies
- Trauma processing techniques
- Resiliency and therapist self-preservation
Course Structure:
12 weeks in total, comprised of 3 modules that are each 4 weeks long. The first three weeks are self-paced learning courses that are assigned through AID in PA’s online Learning Management System. The fourth week of each module is an hour and a half interactive discussion with the other group members and instructors. These live sessions are required and are held from 9:00 am – 10:30 am on the following dates:
- April 8: Pre-training live session
- May 13: Module 1 live session
- June 10: Module 2 live session
- July 8: Module 3 live session
- August 5: Weekly Case Consultation Calls (8:00 am – 9:00 am, Tuesdays)*
*This will continue until everyone presents twice.
Case Consultations:
After the initial 12 weeks there is a short break followed by a second 12-week session that consists of weekly one-hour case consultations. These are optional but highly recommended. Each participant is expected to present a case from a current patient and receive feedback/information from other participants and the instructors. Participants need to join at least 6 of the 12 weekly case consultation calls, although it’s encouraged to attend all. If you are not currently seeing patients or are not in a capacity to present any cases, this may not be the right program for you.
Cost and CE Credits:
It is free to participate. 13.5 Continuing Education (CE) credits are provided through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) upon completion of the program.
If you believe this program is appropriate for you and can commit to the requirements, please complete this survey by March 20, 2025. First come, first serve basis, so don’t delay! If you cannot attend the Spring session due to other commitments but would still be interested in doing it for Fall 2025, please say so in the survey.
