Trauma-Informed Care for Clients with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED)

This course is available 24/7, allowing you to read or listen at your convenience. Complete the course and take a short quiz to receive your certificate immediately. Enjoy one full year of access to the materials.

  • 3 CE hours
  • NBCC Approved
  • NAADAC Approved
  • ASWB ACE Approved
Buy $45.00 Unlimited CE Subscription $75.00
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Mental Health CE Approved by ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC & More

Accepted by most state boards and reportable through CEBroker. Check Board Approvals for details.

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Course curriculum

    1. About the Course

    2. Copyright Notice for Therapy Trainings™

    1. How trauma contributes to the development and severity of SED

    2. Understanding toxic stress, complex trauma, and emotional dysregulation

    3. Overview of trauma-informed care principles

    4. References

    1. The neurobiology of trauma and its effect on behavior and development

    2. Hyperarousal, dissociation, and trauma-linked behavior patterns

    3. Somatic symptoms and their clinical significance

    4. References

    1. Attachment disruptions in trauma-exposed youth

    2. Establishing therapeutic trust with clients who have experienced betrayal or loss

    3. Modeling relational safety and co-regulation in therapy

    4. References

    1. Identifying common environmental and relational trauma triggers

    2. De-escalation strategies for trauma-induced distress or aggression

    3. Helping clients build awareness and control of their triggers

    4. References

    1. Screening for trauma without re-traumatizing the client

    2. Using trauma-sensitive language in clinical interviews

    3. Differentiating trauma responses from primary mental illness

    4. References

About this course

  • $45.00
  • 41 lessons
  • 0 hours of video content

Therapy Trainings™ Presents

3CE Hours - Trauma-Informed Care for Clients with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED)

This course explores the intersection of trauma and emotional disturbance, integrating neuroscience, attachment theory, and evidence-based practices. 

Target audience: mental health professionals

Content Level: beginning to expert

Course Overview:

This course equips clinicians with the knowledge and skills to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care for children and adolescents whose SED is shaped by trauma. Clinicians will learn to recognize trauma-related behaviors, adapt interventions accordingly, and foster emotional safety and resilience across care settings. Emphasis is placed on collaboration with families, schools, and systems of care to build trauma-responsive environments that support long-term healing.

Course Objectives: 

In this course, you will learn to: 

  • Explain the connection between trauma and Serious Emotional Disturbance in youth.

  • Identify trauma responses that may be misinterpreted as behavioral or mood disorders.

  • Apply trauma-informed principles in assessment, engagement, and intervention planning.

  • Implement strategies to promote emotional safety, regulation, and resilience in SED-affected youth.

  • Collaborate with caregivers, educators, and systems to create supportive, trauma-informed environments.


About the author

Matt Grammer, LPCC-S is the founder of Therapy Trainings™, Kentucky Counseling Center®, and Counseling Now®. He has over a decade of experience as a clinician, private practice operator, and consultant. He holds dual Masters degrees in Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. KY LPCC-S #164069

Consulting Team

Social Work Consultant is Alicia Trager, LCSW.

Marriage and Family Therapy Consultant is Matt White, LMFT 

Psychology consultant is Brett Donnelly, Psy. D.


Course completion & CE info

Course completion requirements: To earn CE credit, professionals must purchase the course, read/listen to the presentation, and complete the posttest (with a passing score of 80%) and course evaluation. Posttests may be retaken as many times as you need. Certificates of completion will be emailed immediately after course completion and can be accessed from your account anytime. 

Therapy Trainings™ is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Kentucky Social Work Board provider #202375, Kentucky MFT Board, and KY LPC Board. 

This course has been approved by Therapy Trainings™, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 3 CE hours. NAADAC provider #270493. Therapy Trainings™ is responsible for all aspects of its programming.

Therapy Trainings™ has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7439. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Therapy Trainings™ is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Therapy Trainings™, #1945, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 12/6/2024 – 12/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3 continuing education credits.


System Requirements

Computer or mobile device with an internet connection.

For questions, concerns, or to request special accommodations, please email [email protected]


Frequently Asked Questions
You'll access all courses from your student dashboard in the menu after purchasing the unlimited subscription.
We have state and national approvals from NBCC, ASWB ACE, NAADAC, KY LPC, MFT, and SW Boards.
All on-demand CE courses are text-based and you can progress at your own pace. Once you've read the material, you'll complete a quiz and will receive a certificate of completion immediately.
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All trainings published by Therapy Trainings™ are on-demand and available 24/7. You have access to all courses as soon as you enroll.
We're here for you by email and look forward to helping you. Please contact us at [email protected]. Therapy Trainings™ takes pride in making students happy.

Trauma-Informed Care for Clients with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED)

Elevate your clinical impact with specialized training in trauma-informed care tailored for clients with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED). This comprehensive course blends the foundational principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with trauma-informed strategies to help you deliver more effective, compassionate, and individualized care.

Serious Emotional Disturbance affects children, adolescents, and young adults who experience significant functional impairment due to mental health disorders. These clients often carry histories of trauma, neglect, or chronic stress—making trauma-informed interventions not only beneficial but essential.


Why Choose Our Trauma-Informed CBT Training?

Our course is specifically designed for mental health professionals working with SED populations in schools, community clinics, residential programs, and private practice. This specialized training empowers you with the knowledge and skills needed to:

  • Understand the intersection of trauma and SED

  • Build safe, supportive, and empowering therapeutic relationships

  • Apply CBT interventions through a trauma-sensitive lens

Whether you're supporting a child with PTSD, a teen managing self-harm, or a young adult with mood dysregulation, this course equips you with tools that foster healing and resilience.

What You’ll Learn

Core Trauma-Informed Principles:

  • Recognize how trauma impacts brain development, behavior, and emotional regulation

  • Implement safety-first practices and avoid re-traumatization

  • Foster trust, collaboration, and empowerment in therapy

SED-Specific Assessment and Formulation:

  • Identify signs and symptoms of SED across developmental stages

  • Conduct culturally competent, trauma-informed assessments

  • Develop individualized case formulations using a CBT framework

Evidence-Based CBT Techniques (with Trauma Integration):

  • Cognitive Restructuring: Modify harmful thinking patterns through gentle, validating inquiry

  • Behavioral Activation: Promote engagement in meaningful activities that build mastery

  • Exposure Therapy: Safely reduce trauma triggers through graded exposure

  • Mindfulness & Grounding: Stabilize the nervous system with somatic and present-focused tools


Applications for Common Diagnoses in SED:

  • Anxiety & Panic Disorders: Manage hyperarousal and avoidance using trauma-sensitive CBT

  • Mood Disorders (Depression, Bipolar): Use behavioral strategies while addressing underlying trauma

  • PTSD & Complex Trauma: Introduce evidence-based trauma-focused CBT techniques

  • OCD & Intrusive Thoughts: Use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with emotional regulation support


Course Highlights

  • 10-Module Curriculum: From trauma-informed foundations to advanced CBT applications for SED

  • Hands-On Learning: Engage in role-plays, case conceptualizations, and interactive exercises

  • Flexible & Accessible: 100% online, self-paced learning with downloadable materials

  • Led by Experts: Taught by seasoned clinicians with experience in both trauma and youth mental health


Detailed Module Breakdown

Module 1: Introduction to Trauma and SED

  • Definitions and criteria of SED

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma exposure

  • Neurobiology of trauma in youth

Module 2: Building a Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Alliance

  • Creating safety, consistency, and trust

  • Cultural humility and strengths-based rapport-building

Module 3: Cognitive Restructuring for Emotionally Disturbed Clients

  • Identifying trauma-linked cognitive distortions

  • Adapting CBT techniques to emotionally dysregulated youth

Module 4: Behavioral Interventions for Trauma Recovery

  • Behavioral activation in low-motivation clients

  • Desensitization strategies and graded exposure

Module 5: Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques

  • Incorporating somatic regulation tools

  • Building distress tolerance and present-moment awareness

Module 6: Trauma-Informed CBT for Anxiety Disorders

  • Trauma triggers vs. typical anxiety

  • Case formulation and intervention planning

Module 7: Addressing Mood Dysregulation in SED

  • CBT tools for emotional reactivity

  • Safety planning and mood monitoring

Module 8: Trauma-Focused Interventions for PTSD

  • Narrative work, exposure therapy, and stabilization

  • Grounding and containment techniques for flashbacks

Module 9: CBT Approaches to OCD and Intrusive Thoughts

  • ERP with safety-focused adaptations

  • Addressing shame and self-stigma

Module 10: Integration, Evaluation, and Certification

  • Review of course content

  • Final assessment and downloadable certificate of completion


Why Trauma-Informed CBT Matters

Clients with SED often live in survival mode. A trauma-informed CBT approach:

  • Builds Safety: Helps clients feel safe enough to explore difficult emotions

  • Enhances Self-Regulation: Equips youth with practical tools to manage overwhelming feelings

  • Promotes Long-Term Change: Goes beyond symptom management to foster resilience

  • Improves Outcomes: Reduces school disruptions, hospitalization risk, and long-term impairment

Advance Your Career and Expand Your Impact

Completing this course makes you more effective in high-need environments and enhances your professional credibility. With trauma-informed CBT training, you’ll be able to:

  • Offer specialized care in schools, foster care, juvenile justice, and outpatient settings

  • Attract clients seeking trauma-competent providers

  • Support families and caregivers through psychoeducation and collaborative treatment planning

  • Pursue leadership roles or training positions in trauma-informed care

Ongoing Support and Community

Upon completing the course, you'll gain access to:

  • A peer community of trauma-informed professionals

  • Monthly live Q&A sessions and ongoing webinars

  • Resource library with worksheets, handouts, and case tools

Don’t Wait: Make a Difference Today

Trauma-informed care isn’t a trend, it’s a necessity. Enroll in our training and become a confident, compassionate clinician who helps emotionally disturbed youth not just survive, but thrive.

Join the Trauma-Informed CBT Training for SED Clients Now] and take the next step in transforming your therapeutic practice.