As a therapist, you’ve likely heard these words from clients who feel defined by their trauma.
And while traditional treatments manage symptoms, many still struggle to reclaim their sense of wholeness.
That’s where the Trauma Recovery Specialist Certification Training comes in. Led by Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald – renowned researcher, author and trauma survivor – and Taune Lyons, LMFT, seasoned clinician and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, this course offers a groundbreaking, strengths-based approach to trauma recovery.
What you’ll gain:
A proven framework to build resilience, not just symptom relief
10+ practical interventions for acute trauma relief, as well as long-term resiliency
Joy and hope techniques that foster real healing – no clichés
Ready-to-use tools, exercises, and worksheets for instant application in your practice
Certification included - your registration covers all fees
Upon completion, you’ll be eligible for the Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) credential, proving your commitment to top-tier trauma care. Plus, your first year of certification is FREE (a $99.99 value)*!
MaryCatherine (MC) McDonald, PhD, is a research professor and author specializing in trauma, stress, and resilience. With over a decade of experience researching and teaching the neuroscience and psychology of trauma, she is passionate about destigmatizing mental health and reframing trauma as a strength-based response.
Dr. McDonald earned her master’s degree at The New School, researching traumatic loss, and completed her PhD at Boston University. She has published extensively, including her latest book, Unbroken: The Trauma Response is Never Wrong (and other things you need to know to take back your life), released in 2023 by Sounds True.
In her thriving coaching practice, she has worked with combat veterans, survivors of sexual assault, individuals navigating career transitions, and more. Since 2010, she has also developed trauma-based curricula for nonprofits across the US.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Mary Catherine McDonald has an employment relationship with Old Dominion University and is the co-director of the Institute for Ethics and Public Affairs University Institutional Review Board. She receives royalties as a published author. Dr. McDonald receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Mary Catherine McDonald is a member of the American Psychological Association and the American Philosophical Association.
Taune Lyons, LMFT, brings a wealth of specialized expertise in trauma and integrative therapeutic practices. With a master’s in integral counseling psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, Taune is currently advancing in Somatic Experiencing, having trained under experts like Berns Galloway, Abi Blakeslee, and Linda Stelte. Her professional development includes in-depth workshops with leaders in trauma and attachment, including Gabor Maté and Peter Levine, as well as advanced training in clinical applications of the adult attachment interview, sex therapy under AASECT-approved supervisor Gail Guttman, and couples therapy with the Couples Center. Additionally, Taune’s grounding in interpersonal neurobiology, meditation, and nonviolent communication adds a layered, integrative approach to her trauma recovery work, making her an invaluable resource in this training.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Taune Lyons maintains a private practice and has employment relationships with Single on Purpose App, The Couples Center, and the Marina Counseling Center. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Taune Lyons has no relevant non-financial relationships.
Additional Info
Program Information
Access Period for Live Webcast
For live CE credit, you must watch the live webcast in its entirety at its scheduled time and complete the CE quiz and evaluation within one week. You will have access for 90 days after the program for review.
Webcast Schedule
Please note: There will be a 70-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Lunch and break times will be announced by the speaker and at their discretion. A more detailed schedule is available upon request.
Utilize an empowerment-focused model to address trauma.
Identify subtle trauma indicators, like somatic and relational shifts to improve assessment.
Use practical assessment tools to match trauma interventions to client need.
Evaluate trauma as an adaptive response.
Use neurobiological insights to provide self-compassion.
Choose somatic interventions to reduce trauma symptoms.
Utilize positive psychology to foster resilience in trauma recovery.
Evaluate readiness for positive emotion work.
Develop trauma recovery plans using neurobiological and positive psychology frameworks.
Determine when complex cases need to be referred to other professionals.
Use structured positivity practices to deepen therapeutic rapport.
Identify effective trauma-informed and strengths-based strategies using case studies.
Outline
Part I: Reframing Trauma
Overview of current trauma modalities
Current trauma research
Trauma diagnosis and stressor-related disorders
Types of trauma (e.g., developmental)
Trauma as an adaptive survival response, not a disorder
Debunk myths shift from deficit-focused to strengths-based thinking
Interventions that help clients reclaim their agency
Risk assessment, ethical considerations, and scope of practice
Trauma Neurobiology
Practical breakdown of trauma’s effect on the brain and body
Key structures: amygdala, hippocampus, and autonomic nervous system
Practical implications for therapy & how these systems influence resilience and vulnerability
Quick & Practical Assessment Tools
Ready-to-implement assessments for different trauma types
Standardized and therapeutic tools to understand client’s trauma response
How to choose the right trauma treatment for the client in front of you
Assess common co-morbidities
Spotting Subtle Trauma Signs
Beyond obvious symptoms: recognize the silent signs of trauma
Identify somatic responses to trauma
Assessment of relational shifts, emotional numbing, dissociation, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors
From Pathology to Empowerment
Phases of treatment
Ways to help clients see their symptoms as adaptive responses, not as permanent damage
Tools for reframing trauma responses in a genuine way
Techniques for transforming trauma-related shame into self-compassion and growth
10+ Interventions for Trauma Response Management
Immediate, practical tools for calming acute symptoms
Somatic interventions – activate the body’s natural healing capacity
Self-regulation and body awareness for long-term resilience
Guided Visualization for inner alignment
Mindful presence as a therapeutic tool
Orienting to positive emotions
Radical self-compassion and acceptance
Strengths-based spotting techniques
Narrative restructuring for cognitive flexibility
Cognitive reframing for new perspectives
Part II: Strengths-Based Approaches & Positive Psychology
Leverage, joy, gratitude, and hope to rewire trauma responses
Evidence-based techniques that cultivate these emotions safely, even in high-risk clients
The neuroscience of positivity
How positive emotions affect brain chemistry and neuroplasticity
Harness the power of the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system in facilitating healing
Connect positive emotional states to physiological health and stress resilience
Overcome barriers to positive emotions
Emotional numbing and avoidance: strategies to safely reintroduce positive feelings
Tools to help clients overcome resistance to joy and hope
Gradual exposure to foster emotional flexibility without overwhelming clients
Integrating positivity in therapy
Structured methods for integrating joy, gratitude, and emotional resilience into treatment
Incorporate mindfulness and gratitude practices into daily life and therapeutic work
Tools to increase emotional flexibility and deepen therapeutic rapport
Part III: Practical Applications for Clinicians
Ready-to-go worksheets for trauma re-framing, building resilience, and gratitude practices
Tools for self-regulation and emotional tracking that clients can use independently to continue healing
Case studies that show success
Real-world examples of how strengths-based trauma-informed approaches have led to client breakthroughs
Demonstrations of how positive psychology principles, like gratitude and hope, shifted the recovery process
Detailed case studies of complex trauma cases, illustrating effective use of the strategies taught in the course
Target Audience
Counselors
Social Workers
Psychologists
Case Managers
Addiction Counselors
Therapists
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Physicians
Other Mental Health Professionals
Reviews
Bundles Pricing
This product is part of a bundles which includes special pricing as displayed below.
Additional Participant CE Test
Additional Participant CE must be purchased for each additional viewer. These viewers will watch the video with the main registrant, but will have individual access to course handouts and certification. The standard price of this program includes certification for main viewer.
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