SFW0066 - Creating a Safe Environment: Trauma-Informed Care and Self-Care Practices

Course Description

Trauma affects nearly everyone, either directly or indirectly. Unfortunately, even well-meaning professionals can unintentionally re-victimize those they aim to help. This course equips you with the knowledge and skills to approach clients through a trauma-informed lens, ensuring that your interactions foster safety, trust, and healing.

You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of trauma, including its different types, long-term effects, and how to build resiliency in those you serve. We’ll also explore what it means to develop and implement a trauma-informed practice, helping you create a supportive environment for your clients.

In addition, this course covers essential strategies for managing stress—both your own and your clients’. You’ll learn how to recognize different types of stress responses and apply effective techniques to handle work-related stress. We’ll also focus on self-care and personal safety, particularly when conducting home visits, ensuring that both you and your clients feel secure.

Lastly, you'll develop key communication skills to de-escalate tense situations and manage conflicts, enabling you to build stronger, more trusting relationships.

By the end of this course, you'll have the confidence and tools to support clients with sensitivity and care, while also protecting your own well-being.

This course is offered in January and July.

Enrollment opens at least one month prior to its start date. 

Course Outline

1. Overview of Trauma and its Impact
2. Introduction to Stress
3. Conflict
4. Home Visits & Safety
5. Practicing Self-Care

Learner Outcomes

After completing this module, participants will be able to:

• Identify the different types of trauma, their effects on the brain, and what it means to be trauma-informed.
• Identify the different types of stress, stressors, and stress responses in yourself and your clients.
• Identify the nature of conflict, its impact on relationships, and how communication is at the heart of conflict management.
• Identify safety strategies that can be used before, during, and after a home visit.
• Recognize the advantages of home visiting.
• Identify ways that self-care helps you in your work and personal lives.

Notes

Cancellation Policy:

All cancellation requests must be in writing via email to sfwtuh@temple.edu and received by the Temple University Harrisburg staff before becoming effective.

**Please note: If a cancellation request is not made and the registrant does not attend the course as originally scheduled, the registrant is still responsible for payment for the scheduled course.

All cancellation requests must be received within 72 hours (3 business days) from the date of enrollment in the course AND the registered person has not accessed any portion of the online course. Cancellations that meet the criterial listed above will be eligible for a full refund of fees paid.

Recommendations

To successfully complete the training and activities, the materials needed/recommended are:

• Computer/Laptop (recommend 5 yrs. old or newer)
  • Processor: 2.4 GHz or faster
  • 4 GB of RAM
  • Operating System: Windows 10
• Internet connection (1.5 Mbps-ok; 5 Mbps- better)
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Audio equipment (i.e., computer speakers)
• Web Browser - Google Chrome, recommended
• Software - Microsoft Office and Adobe Reader

Basic Computer Proficiency

• Using a keyboard and mouse
• Selecting, copying, pasting text
• Sending and receiving email
• Saving and retrieving files in different formats (.docx, .pdf, .pptx., etc.)
• Using a text editor (changing fonts, inserting links, using spell check, etc.)
• Browsing for files to attach and upload
• Accessing the Internet using a web browser and resetting basic web browser settings (clearing cache/history, cookies, etc.)

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Creating a Safe Environment: Trauma-Informed Care & Self-Care Practices : Certificate
• SFW Credential : Certificate