Child and Adolescent Trauma Program - Now Online!
Nearly 2/3 of adults have experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), and the ratio of children in therapists’ waiting rooms is considerably higher. Without a fundamental understanding of the ways in which trauma and toxic stress impact children and families, clinicians can feel helpless and overwhelmed when children present with trauma responses. The Child and Adolescent Trauma Program introduces the foundational underpinnings of trauma treatment for children and adolescents and empowers clinicians to engage young clients from a trauma-informed perspective.
Participants learn about the physiological, psychological, and neurobiological impact of trauma and deepen their understanding of the ways that trauma impacts child development and family dynamics. This program provides the essential skills and interventions for stabilizing trauma symptoms and restoring children and adolescents to a path of healthy development.
Grounded in trauma and attachment theory, seminars are 2.5 hour long and consist of didactic teachings, discussions, experiential exercises, and clinical presentations. The final trimester introduces evidence-informed modalities designed to heal the attachment wounds and dysregulation that arise from traumatic experiences.
With a commitment to an intersectional and anti-oppressive lens, we encourage therapists to actively examine their own social locations and the ways in which their privilege, marginalization, and power may impact and be activated in the treatment space.
While this Program is intended for therapists who work with children, adolescents, and their families, we also welcome folks from all careers who are interested in child development and trauma.
2024-2025 Program Length
10-week trimesters held weekly, on Wednesday evenings, during September and May.
Program Schedule
Wednesday evenings 6:15 pm to 9:00 pm ET. All seminars are held remotely, over zoom.
Selected Seminar Topics:
Attachment Theory
Impact of Trauma on Attachment and Child Development
Play Therapy & Post-Traumatic Play
Neurodivergence in Childhood
Complex and Developmental Trauma
Polyvagal Theory
Neurobiology of Trauma
Intergenerational Trauma
Power & the Mental Health System
Location of Self
Attachment-Based interventions for children under 5
Adult Attachment Interview
Body-Based Therapies for Children and Adolescents
IFS & Children
Parent Coaching & Guidance Sessions
Expressive Arts Therapies
Attachment, Regulation, and Competency
For additional information, please contact the program Co-directors:
Robin Donath, LCSW robin.donath@nyu.edu
Tara Starin-Basi, LCSW tstarinbasi@nipinst.org
In 2024-2025, this program will provide 25 CE contact hours.
Continuing Education
The National Institute for the Psychotherapies is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0018.
The National Institute for the Psychotherapies is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts #Psyan-0004.
The National Institute for the Psychotherapies is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education credits for psychologists.
The National Institute for the Psychotherapies maintains responsibility for this program and its content.