Holistic trauma-informed training in couseling psychology doctoral programs

This study utilizes a phenomenological framework to better understand counseling psychology doctoral students’ experiences of trauma training provided within their doctoral programs. Counseling psychologists are likely to encounter patients who have a history of trauma due to the high prevalence of trauma exposure within the United States. The lack of opportunities to learn foundational trauma psychological knowledge in counseling psychology doctoral programs has resulted in psychologists in-training seeking and engaging in trauma training outside of their programs (i.e., practicum, internship, workshops). Counseling doctoral students describe trauma training they have received within their programs (i.e., courses, didactics, seminars, clinical supervision, research). Twelve doctoral students currently enrolled in APA-accredited counseling psychology programs were interviewed and asked about their experience of trauma training within their program. Participants described their trauma-informed education occurred through a variety of settings including supervision, courses, research, and didactic/lectures. The majority of participants expressed wanting more treatment application when in addition to theoretical frameworks on trauma. The study’s strengths and limitations are discussed.