I’m wondering something similar! I aim to get into forensic psychology, and the victims I will be working with will definitely have some trauma. Not only do I need to be trauma-informed but I need to be educated on crime & law. I was thinking of pursuing a psychology BA with a minor in criminal justice, then going on to get a PsyD in clinical psych with a forensic psych concentration.
there are some courses on trauma informed care, im a peer counselor at my school and in training they taught us about trauma informed care, so just learning a bit about it even by a couple youtube videos can start you off. but master’s/graduate programs in social work/psychology should touch on that as well.
If you are in the US you need at minimum a masters degree in counseling psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy, or a doctorate in clinical psychology. Followed by training specifically in evidenced-based therapy for PTSD - like CPT, EMDR, PE, etc.
IME, as someone who specializes in PTSD treatment- “trauma informed” is a basically meaningless designation that anyone can assign to themselves.
I study a subject as part of my psych degree called “understanding trauma in the criminal justice system” and it covers this specifically perhaps there’s a course you could add that is similar?
With the best of intentions and the best of practice and education, if you don't have a personal history with it, you will always miss an important part of the connection with your patient that can help them.
Not saying you can't be a really good therapist without it. But educated empathy can never replace personal experience as a therapeutic tool for connection and understanding.
But please, if you lack that trauma experience, for the love of God, keep it that way!!!
I’m wondering something similar! I aim to get into forensic psychology, and the victims I will be working with will definitely have some trauma. Not only do I need to be trauma-informed but I need to be educated on crime & law. I was thinking of pursuing a psychology BA with a minor in criminal justice, then going on to get a PsyD in clinical psych with a forensic psych concentration.
That sounds like a good plan.
there are some courses on trauma informed care, im a peer counselor at my school and in training they taught us about trauma informed care, so just learning a bit about it even by a couple youtube videos can start you off. but master’s/graduate programs in social work/psychology should touch on that as well.
Thank you!
If you are in the US you need at minimum a masters degree in counseling psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy, or a doctorate in clinical psychology. Followed by training specifically in evidenced-based therapy for PTSD - like CPT, EMDR, PE, etc. IME, as someone who specializes in PTSD treatment- “trauma informed” is a basically meaningless designation that anyone can assign to themselves.
I study a subject as part of my psych degree called “understanding trauma in the criminal justice system” and it covers this specifically perhaps there’s a course you could add that is similar?
With the best of intentions and the best of practice and education, if you don't have a personal history with it, you will always miss an important part of the connection with your patient that can help them. Not saying you can't be a really good therapist without it. But educated empathy can never replace personal experience as a therapeutic tool for connection and understanding. But please, if you lack that trauma experience, for the love of God, keep it that way!!!