CPHSSWCE0430 - Trauma and the Brain: Key Concepts

Course Description

As wider recognition is given to the crucial role the brain plays in human functioning, the importance of understanding basic principles of neuroscience is becoming increasingly clear. This course will review key concepts related to brain structure, brain development, and the stress response. Special attention will be paid to the neurodevelopmental impacts of trauma on various aspects of brain-mediated functioning, including sensory-integration, self-regulation, relational and cognitive capabilities, as well as factors which can buffer these effects. Course content will primarily be viewed through the work of Dr. Bruce Perry and the Neurosequential Network.

Target Level Audience:  Beginner

Course Outline

Learner Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:  

• Discuss key concepts of brain organization;  
• Discuss key concepts of brain development; and 
• Define “sequential processing” as it relates to the brain. 

When participants return to the workplace, they will be able to:  

• Recognize the importance of assessing “relational health” in conjunction with assessing trauma history; 
• Recognize the reasons traumatic experiences in childhood may have significantly different impacts than traumatic experiences in adulthood; and 
• Explain potential impacts of traumatic experiences on brain-mediated functioning.