Understanding how to help people starts with understanding the nervous system. In this dynamic and practical CEU, you'll learn how trauma, stress, and regulation shape behavior through a neurobiological approach. You’ll leave with tools that will help you immediately create greater safety, deepen client connection, and support lasting healing in your clinical work. This training is essential for social workers who want to deepen their trauma-informed practice and intervene more effectively with clients experiencing dysregulation.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will describe the key components of complex trauma, including its definition, etiology,effects on brain development, and subtypes such as developmental trauma, attachment trauma, and racial trauma.
- Participants will identify and analyze symptoms of complex trauma, differentiating between emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physiological manifestations in clients.
- Participants will develop and apply three trauma-informed strategies to support clients, focusing on creating safety, fostering connection, and promoting regulation in therapeutic settings.
3 clinical CEU hours approved by LABSWE
Presenter: Dr. Cat Poehling, LCSW-BACS, LCSW-S, SEP
Dr. Cat Poehling is a joyful and justice-driven trauma therapist, reproductive justice scholar, and educator. She has over 20 years of experience working alongside diverse communities in healing and transformation. With advanced Social Work and Disaster Resilience & Leadership degrees from Tulane University, she brings an expert clinical lens. She is certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), Level 2 trained Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, and Level 1 trained Dynamic Attachment Repatterning Experience (DARe) practitioner. Dr. Poehling’s work is rooted in compassion and curiosity, specializing in trauma psychotherapy for women and LGBTQ+ folks. She’s also a sought-after clinical supervisor, program evaluator, and researcher exploring how Somatic Experiencing can support lasting change. Whether in the therapy room, classroom, or community, Dr. Poehling brings heart, rigor, and a sense of adventure to everything she does.
