PSY84013U - Foundations and Assessment of Trauma

(3 units)

This course is designed to build graduate-level knowledge in the foundations of trauma as well as the assessment of trauma and trauma-related disorders across the lifespan. It is the first course in the trauma sequence, preparing students for the subsequent course in evidence-based treatments for trauma. The course is designed to integrate research and best practice guidelines related to understanding and assessing trauma and related mental health disorders. In this course, students will be introduced to definitions and frameworks related to trauma in a sociopolitical and cultural context, best practice screening and assessment of trauma and trauma symptoms, interpretation and integration of various trauma reactions, and an introduction to responding to identified trauma including mandated reporting, navigating systems, and accessing resources and referrals. Additionally, this course is designed to develop doctoral students’ empirical knowledge base in foundations of trauma and trauma assessment.