Trauma changes far more than memory. It shapes the nervous system, influences relationships, affects identity, and impacts the way people experience themselves and the world around them. As our understanding of trauma continues to evolve, so too must the knowledge and skills of the professionals who support those affected by it.
The Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy has been created for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists who want to move beyond a foundational understanding of trauma and develop greater clinical confidence, depth and competence. Combining current neuroscience, contemporary trauma theory and practical therapeutic application, this advanced programme will equip you to work safely, ethically and compassionately with a wide range of trauma presentations.
Whether you are looking to deepen your existing practice, broaden your therapeutic approach or build specialist expertise, this programme offers an engaging, reflective and professionally rigorous learning experience designed to strengthen both your clinical practice and your confidence as a practitioner.
Advanced Professional Diploma in Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy (equivalent to Level 6)
Online & In person
Built for today's practitioners
Working with trauma requires more than an understanding of what happened to a client. It requires an understanding of how trauma is held within the body, the nervous system, relationships and the therapeutic process itself.
This advanced diploma has been developed for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists who want to deepen their clinical thinking, refine their therapeutic skills and work with greater confidence when supporting clients affected by trauma.
Blending contemporary research, neuroscience and psychotherapeutic theory with practical application, the programme encourages critical thinking, reflective practice and clinically informed decision-making. Throughout the course, you'll strengthen your ability to assess, formulate and respond to trauma presentations safely, ethically and compassionately, whilst remaining grounded in your own professional resilience and scope of practice.
What you will learn
Throughout the programme you will develop the knowledge and skills to:
Critically evaluate contemporary trauma theories and emerging research.
Understand the neurobiology of trauma and apply this knowledge to clinical practice.
Conduct comprehensive trauma-informed assessments and develop robust case formulations.
Apply stabilisation techniques and emotional regulation interventions safely and appropriately.
Recognise and work effectively with complex trauma and dissociative presentations.
Develop an informed understanding of parts-based approaches, including Internal Family Systems, Ego State Theory and Structural Dissociation, and consider how these concepts can support trauma-informed formulation and practice.
Develop an EMDR-informed understanding of trauma processing, including the Adaptive Information Processing model, resource development, stabilisation, safe place work and appropriate referral pathways.
Develop therapeutic relationships that embody trauma-informed principles.
Make ethical, professional and clinically sound decisions when working with trauma.
Recognise the limits of your competence and make appropriate referrals where necessary.
Strengthen practitioner resilience through reflective practice, supervision and self-awareness.
Integrate theory, research and clinical practice into coherent trauma-informed formulations.
This course does not qualify you to practise as an IFS or EMDR practitioner. However, it does give you the depth of understanding needed to use relevant concepts and theories safely and appropriately within your existing professional practice.
Who is this course for?
This programme is intended for qualified counsellors, psychotherapists and other helping professionals who wish to extend their clinical competence in trauma-informed practice.
Whether you work in private practice, charities, the NHS, education or organisational settings, this diploma will help you work with greater confidence when supporting clients who have experienced trauma.
Our approach
Learning is interactive, reflective and practice focused. Rather than simply learning about trauma, you will develop the confidence to apply your knowledge within ethical and professional boundaries.
The programme combines:
Contemporary trauma theory
Neuroscience
Attachment-informed practice
Practical clinical skills
Reflective discussion
Case formulation
Ethical decision-making
Supervision-informed learning
Professional standards and NCPS recognition
This programme has been developed from the outset with the intention of meeting the standards required for National Counsellor and Pyschotherapy Society (NCPS) training recognition. The curriculum has also been mapped against the SCoPEd Framework, with the aim of aligning with the competencies associated with Column B.
As this is our pilot programme, there is an important distinction we want to make completely clear before you apply.
Students who successfully complete the pilot programme will graduate with the Level 6 qualification awarded by Step by Step Counselling Training.
However, at the point the pilot cohort graduates, the programme will not yet have completed the NCPS assessment and approval process. This means that certificates issued to the pilot cohort will not initially carry the NCPS training recognition logo.
Following successful completion of the pilot, the programme will be submitted for formal NCPS assessment. We fully expect the programme to receive NCPS accreditation without changes being required. Students from the pilot cohort will then be able to use the recognised qualification when applying to upgrade their NCPS membership, including an application to become an Accredited Professional Registrant (column B), where they meet the other relevant membership requirements.
We have worked closely with the NCPS while developing the programme and have designed it specifically with their professional standards and the SCoPEd Framework in mind.
We are optimistic about achieving recognition following the pilot, but we also believe it is important that students understand exactly what is, and is not, confirmed when they enrol. This is reflected in the course fees.
Our commitment is to deliver a robust Level 6 programme that reflects current professional standards, whilst developing practical, advanced trauma-informed skills that enhance both client care and professional confidence.
Take your practice further
If you are ready to deepen your understanding of trauma and develop advanced clinical skills that can strengthen your therapeutic practice, we'd love to hear from you.
Register your interest today and be among the first to hear when applications open.
Your Tutor - Leigh Smith
BA Hons. Senior Accredited NCPS. Registered. IFS. EMDR. Psyc
I'm a Senior Accredited Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor and Trainer with over 20 years' experience in counselling, psychotherapy and professional education.
I founded Heartwood College for Counselling and Psychotherapy, where I spent 17 years designing and delivering accredited counselling and supervision programmes, supporting hundreds of students into professional practice.
I have a particular passion for trauma-informed psychotherapy, integrating EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and relational approaches into both my clinical work and teaching.
Alongside my private practice, I enjoy developing engaging, evidence-informed training that bridges theory and practice and helps students grow into reflective, ethical and confident practitioners.
When I'm not teaching or working with clients, you'll usually find me spending time with my family or enjoying a creative crafting project, both of which help me stay grounded, curious and balanced.
Dates and Fees
For every student enrolled, we promise to plant a tree.
We are a proud supporter of One Tree Planted; a non-profit organisation which is passionate about global re-forestation. So, with us, your learning timeline begins with a lifeline to the entire planet.
DATES & TIMES
Closing date for applications: 22nd January 2027
Course Dates: Friday 5th February 2027 and every Friday until 1st October 2027
Alternate weeks in person: 10am - 5pm Newton Abbot
Alternate weeks live and online via Zoom: 6pm - 9pm GMT / BST
Date Exception: 26th March 2027 (Good Friday)
FEES
Discounted Pilot Programme Early Bird Fee: £1,870 incl. VAT until November 30th 2026
Discounted Pilot Programme Alumni Fee: £1,870 incl. VAT
Discounted Pilot Standard Fee - post November 30th 2026
PAYMENT OPTIONS FOR PILOT PROGRAMME
Option 1 – Payment in Full
One single payment of £ 1,870 incl. VAT (early bird) or £2,250 incl. VAT
PAYMENT PLAN
Option 2 – Instalment Plan
£250 Deposit for both early bird and standard fee
Early Bird Fee Payments: £162 per month for 10 months
Standard Fee Payments: £200 per month for 10 months
Pay £250 deposit to secure your place followed by 10 monthly payments of £200