PSYC 8375 Trauma
Nearly 90% of the U.S. population has experienced at least one type of traumatic event in their lifetime per the DSM-5 criteria. These can range from exposure to childhood maltreatment, victimization during adulthood, being in a conflict zone or at war, experiencing natural disasters, and/or motor vehicle accidents. The extensive trauma exposure has psychological, physical, and financial repercussions. This course will focus on lifetime traumatic events, assessment, mechanisms, and evidence-based interventions associated with psychological sequelae of traumatic events. Specifically, assessment of traumatic events and post-traumatic stress disorder, and other traumatic reactions as described in DSM-5 will be emphasized. Mechanistic pathways between exposure to traumatic events and traumatic stress reactions along with comorbidities with other DSM-5 disorders will be discussed. Treatment approaches will place emphasis on trauma-focused evidence-based therapies. A multicultural understanding of the problem will be encouraged. Current controversies in each of these areas will also be presented and discussed. The emphasis will be on presenting current empirically derived knowledge in the field and students will be encouraged to think critically and analytically about the many issues related to trauma. The effects of trauma can be felt across all sectors of society, and professionals from different disciplines will at some point in their career encounter this problem and will need to intervene at some level. The class will meet once a week for three hours. Grading will be based on class participation, discussion topics, and a paper to be presented at the end of the course.
Prerequisite
Must complete the first two years of the Clinical Psychology PhD degree plan and Director of Clinical Training approval.