Preferred registration deadline: December 5th

3 CEs

Trauma is pervasive, yet its impacts often go unrecognized, especially when social workers have not been trained to identify trauma-related responses in clients. Without a trauma-informed lens, even well-intentioned services can unintentionally exacerbate distress or reinforce patterns of harm. When clients become dysregulated as a result, therapeutic outcomes suffer, and core social work values—such as service, social justice, and competence—may be compromised.

This interactive workshop reframes trauma-informed care not just as a clinical best practice, but as an ethical responsibility for all social workers. Drawing on research and real-world practice, the session will begin with a detailed review of the NASW Code of Ethics, highlighting all six ethical principles and six key ethical standards. Participants will explore how the core principles of trauma-informed practice—such as safety, trustworthiness, empowerment, and cultural humility—align with these ethical obligations. Through discussion and skill-based exercises, participants will learn how to integrate trauma-informed approaches into everyday practice with clients, colleagues, and systems. Hypothetical case scenarios and guided role-plays will offer opportunities to practice applying these principles in emotionally charged or complex situations. This training is designed to enhance both clinical effectiveness and ethical integrity while increasing confidence in navigating trauma-responsive care.

This class meets the licensure requirement for 3 hours of continuing education in ethics.

General Admission: $65**
**Eligible discounts can be applied during checkout.

Class size is limited to 45.

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Course Outline

Content Level: Beginner

Target Audiences: Social Workers, Psychologists, Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists

Agenda:

• Introductions and icebreaker activities - 15 mins
• Terminology and large group discussions - 75 mins
• Review of Code of Ethics with trauma-informed principles and ethical decision-making models - 60 mins
• Skill rehearsals - 20 mins
• Debrief and self-care emphasis - 10 mins

Learner Outcomes

• Describe key principles of the NASW Code of Ethics and trauma-informed care, and identify how they align to support ethical, client-centered practice.
• Demonstrate the use of trauma-informed decision-making strategies to navigate ethical dilemmas, with a focus on client safety, trust, and autonomy.
• Identify actionable strategies social workers can implement in their practice or agency settings to create a more trauma-informed environment and enhance client experiences.

Course Completion Requirements:

• The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Professional Development, provider #2130, 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: 9/24/2024 – 9/24/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 3 suicide prevention continuing education credits.
• The Brown School is also an approved provider of Social Work CEs in Missouri and Illinois.
• To earn ACE credit, attendees must arrive at the scheduled time, attend the entire course, and complete an online course evaluation. ACE credit is not provided for partial attendance.  However, you may still qualify for partial Social Work Missouri and Illinois CEs provided by the Brown School.
• Brown School CE Certificates will be available online within 10 business days of course completion by visiting your learner profile at https://ce.wustl.edu/portal/logon.do?method=load&parentSite=brown.  You will receive an email notification with specific instructions for accessing the online certificate when it is available. ACE CE Certificates, if requested in your evaluation survey, will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.
• For more information about CEs, accessibility, refund/cancelation policy, our grievance policy, or other inquiries please visit our About Us page or email brownprofdev@wustl.edu.