Trauma Training CPD for Counsellors
We are pleased to introduce new dates for Working with Trauma, a comprehensive CPD training designed for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists across all modalities. This six-day course, totalling 33 CPD hours, will take place on Saturdays throughout Autumn 2025.
Course Overview
Increasingly, trauma plays a significant role in the lives of our clients, whether historical or ongoing, individual or systemic. Yet many initial counselling and psychotherapy trainings do not explore trauma in sufficient depth. This course is designed to address that gap, offering practitioners a structured and supportive environment in which to deepen their understanding and enhance their clinical skills.
Whether you work within an organisation or in private practice, this course will enable you to:
- Develop a robust understanding of trauma and complex trauma
- Strengthen your skills and confidence in working with adult clients
- Cultivate personal resilience and strategies for maintaining emotional safety in your practice
The course offers space for group discussion, reflection, clinical case sharing (anonymised), and the integration of new ideas into your existing work.
Dates
Saturday 20th September 2025
Saturday 11th October 2025
Saturday 25th October 2025
Saturday 8th November 2025
Saturday 29th November 2025
Saturday 6th December 2025
Time: 10am to 4pm (with breaks for coffee, lunch and tea)
Location: Basingstoke Counselling Service, Goldings, London Road, Basingstoke, RG21 4AN
Cost
£845 early bird rate if booked by 14th July 2025
£945 thereafter
We are happy to arrange payment by instalments, please email events@basingstokecounselling.org.uk so that we can set up a payment schedule for you and reserve your space if you wish to pay by instalments.
There is a £25 admin fee for setting up the instalments as we do incur costs and unfortunately as a small charity we do need to pass this on.
Please note that after making your booking, you will be asked to complete an information form, so we can gather some brief details on each course participant’s background, so that this can be taken into account in the delivery of the course.
What will I learn?
Day 1: Setting the Scene
- Course aims and intentions
- Definitions of trauma and complex trauma
- Self-care and vicarious trauma
Day 2: Getting Started
- Assessment, pacing, and therapeutic endings
- The somatic impact of trauma
- Manifestations in the therapeutic space
- Disconnection and dissociation
- Introduction to other ways of working: eg grounding, IFS, EMDR and yoga-based approaches
Day 3: Working with Developmental & Transgenerational Trauma
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
- Intergenerational trauma in family systems
Day 4: Working with Relational Trauma, Coercive Control & Domestic Violence
- Exploring the pervasive nature of relational trauma
Day 5: Working with Survivors of Sexual Abuse & Incest
- Silence, disbelief, and the challenges of disclosure
- The therapeutic implications of not being seen or heard
Day 6: Working with Complex Trauma & Course Review
- Integration of learning
- Reflections and next steps
Important Note:
Given the sensitive nature of this training, participants are expected to take responsibility for their own emotional wellbeing. We strongly recommend ongoing personal therapy and clinical supervision throughout the course to support your processing of any personal or professional material that may arise.
Attendance is limited to 14 participants. We will issue you with a Certificate of Attendance on course completion.
Requirements for our trauma training
- You must hold a formal, recognised qualification in counselling or psychotherapy at diploma level or above.
- You must be a full member of a professional body (e.g., BACP, UKCP, etc.) and work within their ethical framework.
- Given the sensitive nature of this training, it is a prerequisite that you have completed at least 40 hours of personal therapy either during or after your core training as a counsellor.
Who is my tutor?
Chloë West is a senior psychodynamic psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and trainer with extensive experience across a range of mental health settings. She has held the position of Clinical Lead at a high-demand counselling service, where she provided clinical oversight and strategic leadership to the counselling team. Chloë currently works across three counselling charities and in private practice, offering psychotherapeutic support to individuals with complex presentations.
Her training includes postgraduate and advanced clinical studies at Birkbeck College, WPF Therapy, the Guild of Psychotherapists, and the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust. She has recently rejoined the Tavistock Trauma Unit, where she continues to combine clinical work with ongoing professional development in trauma-focused care.
Chloë is recognised for her reflective, evidence-informed facilitation style and her commitment to developing clinical thinking in practitioners at all stages of their careers.
Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it. We’ve received some incredibly positive feedback about this course and Chloë’s delivery of it. Below is a small selection of the comments we have received from past course participants:
“I have found this course to be invaluable to my client work. Whilst the content is by its very nature upsetting and challenging, I have always felt that it has been delivered sensitively with plenty of space allowed for whatever comes up as a result of the material, both personally and professionally.”
“The content was so interesting and thought-provoking for both my professional and personal development.”
Trauma training for counsellors cancellation policy
Please note that in order to receive the discounted rate due to the membership of BCS, you must be a member for the duration of the course. Full course fees will be payable if you leave the organisation during the course.
If changes in government guidelines mean the course can no longer take place in person, this course will move online and no refund will be offered.
In the unlikely event that unforeseen circumstances arise and BCS has to cancel our trauma training for counsellors, a full refund will be given. In the event of cancellation by the participant, BCS reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee as indicated by the table below. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing, with changes becoming effective on the date written confirmation is received.
| Calendar days’ notice before the start date of the course | Refund applicable |
| 90 calendar days or more before you are due to start the Course | A full refund (less a £25 admin fee) |
| Between 60 and 89 calendar days (inclusive) | 50% refund (less a £25 admin fee) |
| Between 30 and 59 calendar days (inclusive) | 25% refund (less a £25 admin fee) |
| Within 29 calendar days of the Course commencing | No refund given |
Please ensure you meet the entry requirements for our trauma training for counsellors prior to booking your place. If you do not meet the entry requirements, you will be unable to attend the course and your withdrawal will be treated as a cancellation and subject to the above cancellation policy.
If you have any questions about the course then please email events@basingstokecounselling.org.uk or call us on 01256 843125.
CPD for counsellors
We run various different CPD for counsellors throughout the year, online and in-person. Take a look at all our upcoming courses or join our mailing list to be the first to hear about our CPD opportunities.