SWK X013 - The Fundamentals of Compassion-Focused Therapy and its Application for Trauma

Trauma is a prevalent life experience, and its psychological impacts have been associated with the development of many mental health challenges. In this introductory training, participants will learn to understand the impacts of trauma from the framework of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT): a psychotherapy modality that integrates Western psychotherapeutic approaches, neuropsychology, evolutionary psychology and Buddhist philosophy. Participants will learn about common responses to trauma and how to understand them from the CFT perspective. Specific techniques included in CFT will also be introduced in terms of how they can be applied to work with trauma. Participants will leave the training with a better understanding of the CFT approach to trauma and resources to further their learning on this topic.

What You'll Learn

After completing this training, participants will be able to...

• Explain trauma responses and symptoms based on the theoretical frameworks of CFT.
• Use a CFT emotion regulation framework as psychoeducation and/or case formulation tools in their clinical work.
• Apply CFT techniques to help clients regulate challenging emotions and process traumatic memories.
• Identify resources for further training on the CFT approach to trauma. 

What You'll Earn

This training is approved for 2.75 CE clock hours for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, as well as substance use counselors in domain TR1 - treatment field related (renewals only) in the state of Ohio. 

Additional Information

Development Date: December 2024 

Target Audience: 988 crisis call line staff and other human services professionals

Content Level: Beginner

Training Outline

• The evolved human brain and what happens when one experiences trauma
• The three emotion regulation systems: how they function post-trauma and how to restore their balance
• CFT techniques: Introduction and experiential exercises

Presenter

Chia-Ying Chou, PhD

Founder and Director, The San Francisco Center for Compassion Focused Therapies

Chia-Ying Chou, PhD, is founder and director of the San Francisco Center for Compassion Focused Therapies (@SFCompassion) - a group psychotherapy practice and training hub for Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). Chou obtained her PhD from University College London with a focus on trauma. She spent her postdoc years at University of California, San Francisco working with individuals experiencing hoarding, which she considers to be a relatable human experience and a form of difficulty letting go. Chou’s interest focuses on the connection between trauma and the blocks and fears of letting-go and letting-in. She provides training and consultation for clinicians on CFT and hoarding worldwide. Her team founded the Better Treatment for Hoarding (@bettertreatmentforhoarding) program, which brings forth compassion-based public education, support, and research about hoarding. 

Continuing Education Approvals 

The Ohio State University College of Social Work provides approvals for continuing education for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists that are accepted by the state of Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board.

The Ohio State University College of Social Work has been approved by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals (CDP) Board as a provider of Continuing Education, approval number: 50-24068.

Certificates & CE Reporting 

CE certificates will be available for download in your learner portal within 1 business day after submitting the evaluation survey.

Hours for those with Ohio licenses that are submitted with the evaluation survey will be reported to CE Broker every 14 days (twice per month). 

⚠️ Note: You may only complete this training once for CE credit. You may revisit the content, but only one certificate will be issued and credit will only be reported to CE Broker one time.

Cancellations, Refunds, Grievances, Accessibility Requests & Learning 

Please visit the Policies section of our website for more information on our processes for cancellations, refunds, grievances, training completions & certificates, participant conduct, and accessibility requests and learning accommodations. 

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you require an accommodation to participate in this training, please contact CSW Accessibility as early as possible and in advance of the training start date by email at csw-accessibility@osu.edu or call 614-688-1657. Requests received at least 14-days prior to the date you plan to begin a training will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the College will make every effort to meet requests that we receive regardless of lead time. 

Contact Us

For questions about the enrollment process, payment options, technology, or training records, please submit an inquiry and our Enrollment Support team will assist you within 24 hours during business days.

Submit an enrollment inquiry

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback about the training content or delivery format, please contact the CSW Office of Continuing Education at cswce@osu.edu. For questions related to the training content, our office will facilitate communication with the training instructor on your behalf and connect you, if applicable. Presenter contact information will be provided within the training for questions, feedback, or comments. 

The Ohio State University, College of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education, 302 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Road, Columbus, OH, 43210.

Phone: (614) 292-3032

Email: cswce@osu.edu 

Website: csw.osu.edu/continuing-education/