Trauma Informed Care: Essential Practices for International Schools

This course is designed for educators to understand the profound effects of adverse life experiences, or trauma, on students and the entire educational ecosystem. School counselors and administrators will learn about the various ways trauma influences all involved parties, enabling them to customize their leadership and counseling programs to effectively support both students and staff.

In these challenging times, the way we deliver school counseling services needs to adapt. Recognizing the short-term and long-term effects of adversity and trauma on human behavior is crucial. This course equips participants to evaluate and implement effective programs that cater to the needs of their students.

By the end of this 3-hour course, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of how trauma affects the human nervous system and the various human responses to threats to their safety across different ages. They will also acquire practical tools for providing responsive services that are both adequate and appropriate.

Participants will receive PDF resources that can be utilized in staff meetings, group counseling, advisory periods, or individual sessions with students. This course aims to be both educational and applicable, providing tangible benefits to enhance the effectiveness of school counseling and administrative practices.

Intended Audience

This course is suitable for all teachers, school counselors and administrators.

ISCA Student Standards

SE:A1:2 Identify and express feelings and emotions

SE:A1:3 Develop self-awareness and self-management skills essential for mental health

SE:A1:4 Take action (individually or with support) to positively impact one’s own mental health

SE:A1:5 Describe the relationship between feelings and behavior

SE:A1:6 Develop healthy ways to identify, express, and respond to one’s emotions

SE:A1:11 Identify strategies to cope with loss and grief

SE:A1:13 Identify the signs of stress and use techniques for reducing stress

SE:A2:4 Engage with opposing viewpoints in a respectful manner

SE:A2:6 Differentiate between situations requiring

SE:A2:5 Demonstrate effective conflict resolution skills

SE:C1:10 Identify trusted adults in the school and community, and know how, when, and where to ask for help for self and others

ASCA Ethical Standards (2016)

B.2. Responsibilities to the School counselors:

a. Develop and maintain professional relationships and systems of communication with faculty, staff and administrators to support students.

b. Design and deliver comprehensive school counseling programs that are integral to the school’s academic mission; driven by student data; based on standards for academic, career and social/emotional development; and promote and enhance the learning process for all students.

ASCA Professional Standards and Competencies

B-PF 6. Demonstrate understanding of the impact of cultural, social and environmental influences on student success and opportunities

a. Demonstrate basic knowledge and respect of differences in customs, communications, traditions, values and other traits among students based on race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or intellectual ability and other factors

b. Explain how students’ cultural, social and economic background may affect their academic achievement, behavior, relationships and overall performance in school academic achievement, behavior, relationships and overall performance in school

Essential Questions

1. How have the adverse experiences of my students impacted their social and emotional development?
2. How have the adverse experiences of the adults on staff impacted their ability to perform at work and connect with students in meaningful ways?

Participants will have knowledge about:

1. Understanding of Trauma's Impact on the Educational Ecosystem: Participants will learn how adverse life experiences affect both students and the broader school system.
2. Effects on Human Behavior: Insights into the long-term and short-term effects of trauma and adversity on human behavior.
3. Trauma and the Human Nervous System: Comprehensive knowledge of how trauma impacts the human nervous system.
4. Diverse Human Responses to Trauma: Understanding the various ways individuals respond to threats to their sense of safety across different age groups.
5. Current Trends in School Counseling: Awareness of the evolving needs and methods in school counseling in response to unprecedented challenges.

Participants will be able to:

1. Tailoring Leadership and Counseling Programs: Skills in customizing school leadership and counseling strategies to meet specific needs of students and staff affected by trauma.
2. Program Evaluation and Implementation: Ability to assess the effectiveness of current programs and implement new strategies that address the impacts of trauma.
3. Responsive Service Delivery: Tools for developing and implementing adequate and appropriate responsive services in school settings.
4. Resource Utilization: Skills in using provided PDF resources effectively during staff meetings, group counseling, advisory periods, and individual sessions.
5. Practical Application of Theoretical Knowledge: Ability to translate theoretical understanding of trauma into practical strategies for enhancing school environment and student support systems.

Janice Holland

Janice Holland, a leading force in mental health, is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Texas and a certified Trauma Model Therapist through The Ross Institute. With a history of being a school counselor for 11 years, both in the US and internationally, Janice brings a wealth of experience to her roles. Formerly based in Dallas, she owned a thriving private practice specializing in the emotional impact and treatment of trauma before embarking on a journey as a global ambassador for mental health. She currently resides in Shanghai, China.

Janice finds fulfillment in aiding those with extreme childhood trauma on their path to healing, but her true passion lies in empowering fellow therapists, counselors, and healers. With a profound understanding of how adverse life experiences affect us, Janice dedicates herself to training professionals internationally. Join her in the mission to create a trauma-informed world—one where healing and freedom become accessible to all.

ISCA Member Price: $180

Non-Member Price: $260

Dates and times of offerings: September 3, 2026; 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM UTC

Contact Hours: 3 hours

Time commitment between sessions: N/A