A national trainer-training and workforce development initiative to establish sustainable expertise in complex trauma understanding, assessment and multidisciplinary response. Developed through a National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative Grant awarded to Adelphi University by the Substance Use & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Designed and operated by the Foundation Trust. The CTTC was designed to overcome coastal, metropolitan and institutional disparities in access and regional gaps in availability of professional resources on traumatic stress through establishment of autonomous expert hubs. The CTTC consists of 205 trainers across 39 field sites and 10 freestanding trainers spanning 32 US States and Territories. Read more about CTTC

Intensive training, fidelity evaluation, and rostering process for trainers and field sites.
The CTTC curriculum was developed by a faculty of over two-dozen subject-matter experts. It balances the latest scientific evidence with lived experience, geographical, developmental and cultural differences in needs and strengths, and community-driven, cultural and faith-based approaches to healing.
The CTTC curriculum is designed to support mental health providers, educators, child welfare and juvenile justice personnel, law enforcement, clergy, parents, consumer and allied professional to understand the needs of children, families and communities impacted by traumatic stress and life adversity and to respond in a compassionate, evidence-based and effective manner.
The CTTC has conducted over 540 community trainings to more than 21,000 multidisciplinary providers to date in the United States.
Field Site: A team of multiple faculty trained and vetted to deliver core CTTC modules 1-10 plus select electives (modules 11-20).
Regional Lead Site: A team of regional faculty qualified to deliver all 20 CTTC modules.
Master Trainer: A national expert in complex trauma equipped to deliver all 20 CTTC modules.
Freestanding Trainer: An individual rostered to deliver select CTTC modules.
This course is designed to be an introduction to complex trauma and will cover types of trauma, the physiology of trauma, ways complex trauma impact development, and basic strategies to help people feel safer. This training will help participants think about behaviors in a different way, learn how to create safe places for people who have experienced complex trauma, and learn ways to explain to parents and kids what is going on. Developed by Alaska Behavioral Health
This module explores the types of chronic trauma, diagnoses, and outcomes, including the effects of complex trauma exposure in children. Eight domains of complex trauma will be discussed in depth: affect regulation, behavioral control, physical health, cognition, dissociation, self-concept, attachment, and future orientation. Developed by Angel Knoverek, PhD, LCPC, ACS
This module focuses on trauma-informed screening and assessment through a complex trauma lens, providing a comprehensive framework and tools to ultimately support treatment and service planning. Developed by Cassandra Kisiel, Ph.D.
This module explores community violence as a form of continuous traumatic stress. Participants will discuss the effects of chronic community violence exposures, the intersection with complex trauma and systemic racism, and culturally-specific approaches for working with Black and Latinx youth and families. Developed by Sonya Mathies Dinizulu, Ph.D.
This module covers contributing factors that may negatively and positively impact the overall health and well-being of LGBTQ youth, including sociological-intersectionality-focused considerations to form a more nuanced understanding of the unique needs that LGBTQ+ youth have. The session includes practice-based recommendations regarding approaches that may be helpful when providing care to LGBTQ youth. Developed by Moises Rodriguez, Ph.D.
There is a growing body of evidence indicating that exposure to traumatic events contributes to the development and perpetuation of addiction and substance use disorders. According to the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, adolescents with PTSD are 4 times more likely than adolescents without PTSD to experience alcohol dependence, 6 times more likely to experience marijuana dependence, and 9 times more likely to experience hard drug dependence. As mental health professionals, it is imperative that we adopt an integrated, trauma-informed approach to uncover the root causes of substance use. Developed by Debra Ruisard, DSW
This module covers how unconscious attitudes and various forms of social privilege can impact care. The course includes self-reflection opportunities and techniques for mitigating implicit bias in provider-client interactions. Developed by Nancy Nealious, Psy.D.
This module illustrates considerations specific to supporting students who have been impacted by complex trauma. Discussion will include how complex trauma can impact students’ ability to learn and manage triggers throughout the school day. Participants will then review the building-blocks of trauma-informed classrooms and practical strategies for reframing and effectively responding to challenging behaviors in the moment. Developed by Megan Prahin, LCSW, and Emily Neal, LCSW
Exposure to traumatic events during a child’s formative years is associated with lifelong problems that not only disrupt their emotional, cognitive, and social development, but also puts them at risk for revictimization and chronic health issues. Early intervention is critical to mitigating these effects, and therefore parent/caregiver involvement is one of the most important components of complex trauma treatment. Caregivers play a central role in providing a safe context for child development by teaching children how to trust others, regulate their emotions, and develop positive self-concept. Supporting caregivers equips them with tools to effectively respond to a child’s distress, creating a path towards promoting the child’s developmental capacities. Developed by Margaret Blaustein, Ph.D., and Kristine Kinniburgh, Ph.D.
This training's purpose is to provide an overview of treatment models which are effective in the treatment of complex trauma for youth and adults. In addition to introducing various treatment models, the module will touch upon considerations for selecting treatment that is the best fit for a client and/or their family. Developed by Kaitlyn Wilson, LISCW
This module emphasizes the importance of culture on well-being and quality of life, and how history and context are part of the whole person and should be taken into account when looking to understand someone’s experience and behavior. The training describes historical trauma and its cumulative impact, and includes lessons that can be learned from indigenous communities about healing and resilience. Developed by LaVerne Xilegg Demientieff, Ph.D
This module illustrates considerations specific to residential caregiving. Discussion will include complex trauma shows up in our milieus, how it impacts our philosophy of care, and how we can build shared language among staff and youth. Participants will then apply their understanding into an active practice model – the Safe Relational Container, and explore trauma-informed strategies guided by an action sequence of Calm, Connect, and Respond. Developed by Jeremy Karpen & Emily Neal, Mercy Home
This module, designed specifically for non-clinicians, reviews the prevalence of complex trauma among justice-involved youth, and applies a trauma lens to “maladaptive” coping strategies such as aggression, substance use, and self-harm. The module includes a focus on identifying and addressing trauma triggers, as well as ways in which direct care staff can create a more trauma-informed environment for youth, and build upon youths' strengths. Developed by Mandy Habib, Psy.D. & Victor Labruna, Ph.D.
This module reviews common ACE's that often impact Young People Experiencing Homelessness and how these aggregate experiences frequently culminate in a Complex Trauma (CT) Profile. How social-cultural intersectional dynamics and an extensive history of oppressive structural inequalities factor into how young people may respond to the multiple systems (housing, education, vocation, American Legal System) and providers, is explored through the Social Ecological Model. The session includes an overview of how to incorporate the ARC (Attachment, Self-Regulation and Competency) Framework for practice-based recommendations that may be helpful when providing care to this vulnerable but tremendously resilient population. There is a strong emphasis on unorthodox, low-barrier approaches that resonate with the spirit of "Personhood" rather than diagnostic labels and prescriptive treatment. Developed by Moises Rodriguez, Ph.D.
This module discusses why diagnosis is important since the clinical presentation of complex trauma can lead to differential diagnoses. The management of those diagnoses may include different classes of psychotropic medications. Developed by Seeba Anam, MD
This training addresses why past personal trauma and intergenerational trauma matter in parenting; we repeat that which is familiar. The module covers potential caregiving challenges for individuals who have had their own past trauma, and provides strategies for self-care and enhancing the parent-child connection. Developed by Jana Pressley, Psy.D.
This training explores the nature of complex traumatic stress disorders for immigrant and refugee families as they go through the process of migration. The module covers possible presentations in clinical settings as well as approaches for working with this population. Developed by Diya Kallivayalil, Ph.D.
This module addresses what complex trauma looks like in young children and how trauma can change the course of early childhood development. The training also covers treatment targets for young children and caregivers, and intervention strategies. Developed by y Kristin Mortenson, MS, LPC-S
This module establishes a foundational understanding of what is happening in the brain and body in response to a perceived threat. The way the brain and body respond to trauma is universal. This module helps participants identify when a neurobiological response has been activated, so we can better match our intervention approach in the moment. Developed by Hilary Hodgdon, Ph.D.
This module explores the challenges that face providers during critical moments with clients who have experienced complex trauma. Key principles and tactics for handling these crises and preserving clients’ safety is explored in detail. Developed by Julian Ford, Ph.D.
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Check the boxes for all the modules in which you wish to receive training.
The search engine will display every training entity equipped to deliver this set of trainings to your organization. Regional Lead Field Sites and Master Trainers are expert hubs able to provide training on all 20 CTTC modules.
Other Field Sites and Freestanding Trainers are qualified to provide training on select modules as indicated in the search results. If you are seeking in-person training, search for a Field Site or individual trainer (Freestanding or Master) in your geographical region.
If no training entity is available in your particular US state or territory, search for the nearest Regional Field Site. Reach out to prospective trainers by email or telephone to discuss your organization’s specific training needs and gather more information. If you need assistance arranging online training for your organization on one or more of these modules, contact CTTC Project Coordinator Natasha Stallsmith: coordinator@foundationtrust.org.
Training costs will vary depending on trainer selected, number of training modules delivered, and format of training (in-person versus remote training). Some grant-funded, low and no-cost training is available for U.S. organizations through September 29, 2026. For international training requests, contact the Massachusetts Field Site.
PDF of the CTTC Module Description and Learning Objectives list




