Social Work: Perspectives on Trauma and Wellness

This professional certificate program explores a holistic approach to social work practice with a focus on trauma-informed care and wellness strategies. Through two comprehensive courses, students gain insights into the physical, emotional, spiritual, and social impacts of trauma on individuals and communities. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of understanding the whole person in social work practice while valuing diverse cultural perspectives. Students learn practical wellness tools to regulate the nervous system and create life balance, which they can apply both professionally and personally to combat burnout and compassion fatigue. The program encourages self-reflection on cultural backgrounds and identities to increase awareness of personal assumptions, values, and biases that may influence practice. Taught by Professor LaVerne Xilegg Demientieff from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, this certificate prepares social workers and other helping professionals to implement healing-centered and trauma-informed care practices while maintaining their own wellbeing. The self-paced format allows students to progress through the material over approximately three months, with a suggested time commitment of 4-6 hours per week.