Psychology of Trauma: Understanding, Responding, and Recovering

This course provides a practical introduction to trauma, resilience, and trauma-informed care with Professor Peter Lambert, helping learners build a clear understanding of how trauma affects thoughts, emotions, behaviour, and relationships. If you want a grounded Psychology of Trauma perspective that connects theory to real-world support, this course offers the knowledge and confidence to respond more effectively and compassionately.

Build Your Psychology Of Trauma Knowledge For Safer, More Effective Support

• Learn the foundations of trauma psychology through a practical, accessible approach
• Understand how stress, the brain, memory, and behaviour are shaped by traumatic experiences
• Develop trauma-informed communication skills that support trust, safety, and recovery
• Explore evidence-based pathways, ethics, and referral decisions for use in professional settings

A practical introduction to trauma, resilience, and trauma-informed care with Professor Peter Lambert.

Psychology is at the heart of this course, which explains what trauma is, why it matters, and how it can influence daily functioning across the lifespan. You will begin with the core ideas behind trauma psychology, then move into the stress response, neurobiology, memory, attention, and emotional regulation so you can understand how traumatic experiences shape the whole person.

As the course progresses, you will examine dissociation, shutdown, behavioural changes, attachment difficulties, and the effects of childhood trauma on development. The Psychology of Trauma content also covers PTSD, complex PTSD, risk and protective factors, and why people respond differently to the same kind of event. This gives you a solid framework for recognising trauma-related patterns with greater clarity and sensitivity.

You will also learn how to communicate in trauma-informed ways, provide grounding and stabilisation, and recognise when professional support or referral is needed. The course closes by connecting these ideas to schools, workplaces, communities, ethics, and boundaries, helping you apply trauma-informed practice responsibly. By the end, you will think more confidently about trauma, respond with greater care, and be better prepared to support recovery in real-world settings.