The need for trauma training: Clinicians' reactions to training on complex trauma

Academic training programs for mental health professionals rarely include comprehensive instruction on trauma, consequently leaving clinicians inadequately prepared to provide trauma treatment. The present study sought to: (a) ascertain what percentage of participants had received training in complex trauma and dissociation; (b) examine pre- and posttraining differences in knowledge related to complex trauma populations; and (c) investigate changes in participants' competence and empathy in working with survivors.

We examined self-reported changes in knowledge, competence, and empathy regarding individuals with complex trauma among mental health professionals who attended a complex trauma training workshop. Participants provided feedback about previous trauma training experience and areas of additional trauma training that they perceived would be beneficial.

Prior to completing the program, 68% of participants reported feeling inadequately trained to assess trauma and 75% felt inadequately trained to treat trauma. Ten percent had not received training in complex trauma and 30% had not received training in treating patients with dissociative symptoms. Participants showed significant increases in knowledge and self-reported competence following the training. They suggested that learning about dissociation and dissociative disorders was the most helpful information gained and that learning more techniques and skills for complex trauma populations would improve their ability to treat this group.

The majority of participants felt inadequately trained to treat clients who have experienced complex trauma and experienced dissociation. They reported the trauma training as beneficial in that it increased their sense of knowledge and competence about treating trauma-exposed individuals. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).