Hi and welcome to the Spring, 2012 edition of TraumaPro, the IATP newsletter. TraumaPro is an open forum for IATP members and anyone interested in psychological trauma. This is consistent with the IATP mission of preparing professionals throughout the world to treat and conduct research on traumatic stress.

Don't miss our feature article on TraumaLine1, an opportunity for you to become part of a well known directory of trauma professionals that makes it easier for you to practice in your specialty and for survivors to find the care they need when they need it. 

The International Association of Trauma Professionals is a non-profit association created in 2011 to address the need for a credible and stable membership organization for professionals in the field of traumatic stress treatment, intervention and education. IATP is also an international network of trauma professionals with a focus upon education, research, and competency-based certification in the treatment of trauma.

Currently, the IATP offers the Certified Clinical Trauma Professional certification in both distance learning (DVD) and open-enrollment formats. We have recently added the Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional certification in each of these formats also. Plans are underway for two additional tiers of certification (Expert & Master) in clinical traumatology and one additional tier in compassion fatigue (Expert). Additional courses and certification in the areas of Dissociative Disorders; Complex Trauma & Traumagenic Personality Disorders; Acute Stress, and Critical Incident Behavioral Health are currently being designed and slated for offerings in late 2012 and 2013.

The organization is led by three experts in the area of traumatic stress treatment and research: Michael Dubi, EdD; J. Eric Gentry, PhD; and Michael Rank, PhD. Together we have over 100 years of combined clinical and research experience in working with and studying traumatic stress. Our goal is to bring this expertise to light in intelligent, straight-forward, and easy-to-implement clinical and paraprofessional courses for those interested in furthering their knowledge in this growing field.

You are invited to visit the IATP website at www.traumaprofessional.net or email IATP at info@traumaprofessional.net for more details.

Certification is effective for two (2) years. To re-certify as a CCTP, members must submit at the end of the two-year period proof of completing twelve (12) continuing education credits. The CEUs must reflect trauma specific content. If a member does not meet the continuing education requirements at the end of the two-year certification period, he or she may take the certification examination to re-certify or attend an IATP sponsored course.

An updated certificate will be forwarded yearly upon IATP's receipt of the annual certification maintenance fee of $25. You may also pay $50 for two years. 

The Association provides several avenues to obtain continuing education, including seminars throughout the USA, DVDs, and audio-taped lectures. We encourage members to avail themselves of the outstanding DVDs, CDs and live presentations offered by PESI/CMI.

In 1999, Dr. Anna B. Baranowsky established the Traumatology Institute in Canada offering a comprehensive training curriculum in post-trauma care.  Courses include Early Intervention Field Trauma; Intake, Evaluation & Assessment; Group Approaches in Trauma Care; Tools for Trauma Care using a Cognitive Behavior Approach; and Supervision and Compassion Fatigue programs.  As the Institute grew, individuals, organizations and institutions began to request information about how professionals could provide training and services within communities beyond the immediate reach of the Traumatology Institute.  Requests for training clinicians within Canada and the United States came more frequently and with this the realization of a need for a directory of trauma care professionals.  This was the beginning of the idea for TraumaLine1 a web based directory to meet this specific need.

What is Trauma and why do we need TraumaLine1?

The goal of "TraumaLine1" was to establish a well known professional trauma care directory making it easier for clinicians to practice in their specialty area and for survivors to get the care they need when they need it.  Although post-trauma care is a highly specialized service, it is clear that appropriate, timely and skilled responders are in great demand.  Trauma can occur any time and any place and a timely response can make the difference between years of unnecessary suffering and a reasonable and healthy recovery process.  Access to skilled professionals is an uncertain road, as up until recently there is no centralized database to showcase those specializing in Trauma care. 

Post-Trauma Responses including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may occur after exposure to a very stressful event.  Events that tend to lead to PTSD and other related stress disorders include those typified by serious injury, illness, or threat of death personally or to those who you know or have contact with.  A traumatic event is generally something that is terribly frightening and can leave a sufferer feeling hopeless, helpless and out-of-control of the unfolding events. 

In the course of one's lifetime, approximately 60% of men and 50% of women directly experience at least one significant traumatic event.  Women are more at risk of exposure to childhood sexual abuse or a sexual assault later in life; men are more inclined to experience physical violence, war combat, natural disaster, accident or to witness another's serious injury or death.   

The good news is that although exposure to trauma is fairly common, only 7-8% of the general population is diagnosed with PTSD over the course of their life-time.  Women tend to be more vulnerable to the development of PTSD (approximately 10%) while only 5% of men exposed to trauma will develop PTSD.  In the U.S., approximately 5.2 million adults will meet the diagnostic criterion for PTSD in any given year.  This number represents only a small percentage of individuals who have experienced a trauma over the course of the same year. So although diagnosis of PTSD is relatively small compared to exposure, those suffering from the aftermath of trauma but still managing to cope is quite a large number and requires care in order to lead to an optimal outcome for the individual.

There are numerous professional and public websites that focus on information for trauma survivors, databases for specific professions (psychologists, social workers, etc.), trauma specific information sites for professionals specializing in trauma and trauma networks ... however, TraumaLine1 is the only professional website directory entirely focused on  helping trauma survivors find skilled post-trauma professionals with a broad spectrum of trauma care approaches.

www.TraumaLine1.com was built to raise awareness of the needs of trauma survivors and those professionals with the skills to respond.  We believe that trauma care is a very specific and unique skill and TraumaLine1 was established as a way for service providers to showcase their unique talents and a way to be found by those looking for care from specialized trauma practitioners.

Professionals wishing more information about www.TraumaLine1.com or wishing to post their profiles can begin with a free 2 month trial using the "60dayfree" promotional code.  For more information, contact info@traumaline1.com.  TraumaLine1 is always free for those seeking care.

Dr. Anna B. Baranowsky is the CEO of the Traumatology Institute and the founder of the Traumatology Institute Training Curriculum offering the certificate of Completion in Clinical Traumatology online at your own time and place at www.ticlearn.com