HELPING TH ph&fax
UIndy Launches Trauma Certificate UIndy has launched a new Behavioral Health Trauma Certificate, the first of its kind in Indiana. The goal is to help mental health professionals be better prepared to counsel survivors of trauma. Because even helpers—those dedicated to providing comfort and assistance as their job—need help themselves sometimes. Greyhound students and faculty believe it is already making a difference. The need is greater than ever. The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that 1.1 million Hoosier adults have a mental health condition and 90,000 Hoosier teens live with depression. “Communities large and small need mental health providers who are trained to address both individual and societal trauma,” said Dr. Rachel Feldwisch, psychologist and associate dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. “Training can make a massive difference in helping children, teens, and adults open up after they have been abused or experienced other trauma.” The Behavioral Health Trauma Certificate consists of three classes of three credits each and is the result of a collaboration of disciplines: Trauma Counseling (Mental Health Counseling), Resilience and Growth in Marginalized Communities (Psychology), and Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma (Social Work). While many current UIndy students will earn the certificate as part of their graduate coursework by design, there is room in each class for community members who are mental health professionals with no previous connection to UIndy to take the coursework as well. Feldwisch, who is a licensed mental health counselor and board-certified art therapist, said even those who are trained helpers don’t always get the specialized training they need to help trauma survivors most effectively. Dr. Matthew Stapleton, assistant professor of psychology who
Dr. Rachel Feldwisch teaching the Trauma Counseling course as part of the certificate program.
teaches the Resilience and Growth class, believes it’s important to flip the script on trauma and learn the larger story. While many people are negatively impacted by trauma, it’s important to understand why some are more resilient than others and how they’ve learned to cope. “As a counselor, you can’t assume that it’s going to take years for them to process trauma,” said Stapleton. “It’s important that you learn ways to help the other person, to appreciate them as a complete person because while they underwent a traumatic experience, that doesn’t completely encapsulate all of who they are.” Students and faculty are excited that UIndy is the first to offer this type of certificate and be on the cutting edge of something that could empower others and be transformative. Feldwisch hopes this is just the beginning. “I am so excited to think about how Indianapolis and the state of Indiana will benefit,” she said. “As the number of trauma- certified counselors grows, it will be easier for families and individuals to find someone to help in their times of need.” Help for the helpers, so they can be the best helpers they can be. A service to the community measured not in the number of certificates but by lives touched.
UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS 2626 UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS 26
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker