Trauma-Focused Intern Training

Trauma Focused Internship

Alliance for Inclusion and Prevention (AIP) received a 5-year federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in collaboration with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), to create the Center for Trauma Care in Schools. The Center focuses on training mental health clinicians and interns in evidence-based practices (EBPs) for trauma, and also trains school staff in trauma's effects on teaching and learning, and how to create more trauma-informed school environments.  MultipleAIP staff have been certified as regional and national trainers in EBPs.

 Trauma- Focused Intern Training (T-FIT) furthers the Alliance for Inclusion and Prevention’s existing collaboration with local university partners to increase the number of clinical interns who are being trained and supervised in the best methods to help students with traumatic stress. The program offers training, supervision and consultation in evidence-based practices (EBPs) to MSW students and their field instructors, geared to treating childhood traumatic stress in school settings. The intern training program will develop a workforce with the range of skills and knowledge needed to shape trauma –sensitive school environments. 

T-FIT PARTNERS

• Boston College School of Social Work 
• Boston College Lynch School of Education 
• Boston University School of Social Work 
• Boston University/Wheelock College School of Education 
• Lesley University Mental Health Counseling Program 
• Lesley University School of Education
• Simmons University School of Social Work 
• Simmons University School of Education 
• Salem State School of Social Work 

T-FIT provides a one-year training to interns with the opportunity to:

• Develop clinical skills in trauma treatment for children 
• Gain experience providing school-based behavioral health services 
• Learn how to deliver evidence-based treatments 
• Participate in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network 
• Earn a certificate as a trauma specialist

Training Components:

T-FIT training will provide an intern with a comprehensive orientation to school-based mental health counseling including an introduction to individual and group counseling techniques and family and teacher consultation. The intern will then be trained in a number of evidenced-based practices, including Motivational Interviewing, Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma (CCCT), and Verbal De-escalation Techniques. Additional training in Secondary Traumatic Stress, Trauma-sensitive Yoga and Mindfulness will be provided.  

Interns and their field supervisors are also provided the opportunity to be trained and receive CEUs in the following evidenced-based treatments.  Information on these trainings can be found at: https://aipinc.org/trauma/trauma-focused-internship/

• Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), an evidenced-based, group trauma treatment designed for use in urban schools. Training in Bounce Back, the CBITS adaptation for elementary-aged students (K-5), is also offered.  
• Supporting Transition Resilience in Newcomer Groups (STRONG) is an evidence-informed, 10-session school-based intervention for newcomer youth (K-12th grades) to support their transition to a new school and community. STRONG aims to build resilience of students experiencing transition and equip them with skills to cope with the psychological impact of stress and trauma. 

(Please note: There is an application that must be completed to be considered for STRONG training).

 T-FIT provides support and trauma consultation to interns and field supervisors through AIP’ s independently licensed clinicians. The trauma consultant offers support for the ongoing implementation of the various treatment modalities in which interns have been trained. The trauma consultant will assist the intern in preparing for case presentations an intern will participate in using the one-hour video conference case consultation/training.

The trainings were designed with the support of the graduate schools of social work and will occur on placement days in September and October. Upon the completion of the orientation training, each student will then participate in weekly one-hour video conferencing calls, with a focus on trauma. Field supervisors are welcome to attend these sessions.

For information on the T-FIT Cross Training at the King Open with social work and teaching interns, please go here: 

CERTIFICATE GUIDELINES

• Complete the mandatory trainings listed on the training timeline (16 hours) 
• Attend two out of the five optional trainings offered
• Attend and participate on 80% of the weekly one-hour video conferencing calls 
• Present case presentations on the video conferencing calls

Training Elements:

• Interns will carry a caseload as required by their graduate program 
• Interns will receive training and supervision in evidence-based practices from CTCS trauma consultants
• Interns will attend a treatment consultation team weekly via video conferencing which will combine training, case presentation and consultation on trauma and trauma-related anxiety cases