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Applied Psychology

Intro to Crisis & Trauma

Explore various concepts of crisis and trauma and develop a strategy for implementing a trauma-informed approach.

R1,650.00

Duration

2 weeks

Commitment

10 hours weekly study

Start Date

7 September 2026

End Date

20 September 2026

Course Overview

Have you been through a traumatic experience? Or would like to help others who have experienced crises and trauma in their lives? The effects of traumatic events place a heavy burden on individuals, families and communities and create challenges for the workplace environment and at home.

The Intro to Crisis & Trauma micro-credential will help you master the first steps in understanding terminology and concepts surrounding crisis and trauma.

This 2-week introductory course will guide you in building qualities and skills to help you manage incidents of crisis and trauma that you may experience at a personal or professional level. Explore the importance of emotional self-management and the management of the emotions of persons who have been deeply affected by crisis and/or trauma.

Finally, this course will teach you how to respond optimally in situations of crisis and/or trauma and will assist you in developing your own trauma-informed approach. Acquire the skills to make informed decisions to constructively deal with the effects of crises and/or trauma.

Note: Counselling skills training is required to assist people in crisis and trauma. This course does not address counselling skills training. It focuses on the context of crises and trauma.

Over the course of eight (8) weeks, through videos, readings and discussions, you will explore the following topics:

Concepts of Crisis and Trauma.

Define crisis and trauma concepts.
Explain the concept of trauma adopted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Describe the three “E’s” of Trauma.

Describe the key principles of a Trauma-informed Care Approach.

Explain key assumptions and key principles that govern a Trauma-informed Care Approach.
Understand how to implement a trauma-informed approach within an organisation, agency, or system.

Develop a strategy for implementing a trauma-informed approach.

Apply key principles of a Trauma-informed Care Approach (in order to)
Develop a simple trauma-informed strategy within an organisation, agency, or system.

Course Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Define crisis and trauma concepts.
Explain the concept of trauma adopted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Describe the three “E’s” of Trauma.
Explain key assumptions and key principles that govern a Trauma-informed Care Approach.
Understand how to implement a trauma-informed approach within an organisation, agency, or system.
Apply key principles of a Trauma-informed Care Approach to develop a simple trauma-informed strategy within an organisation, agency, or system.

Learner Experience

Hildegard Du Plessis

"The Intro to Crisis and Trauma course was an enlightening experience that deepened my understanding of the complexities surrounding trauma. The engaging discussions and reading material helped me connect theory to practice, making the content both relevant and impactful."

Rozanne Sack

"I have gained a deeper understanding of crisis and trauma and the effects of these experiences on individuals. I feel much more equipped to counsel victims of abuse in my organisation using a more holistic trauma-informed approach."

Teagan Rutherford

"I really enjoyed doing a short online course during my term break. I received support during the course and my questions were answered promptly."

Lindiwe Kototsi

"The Intro to Crisis & Trauma course taught me the importance of making time for myself and investing in my personal growth and knowledge."

Sisipho Mlanjeni

"My online experience with the Intro to Crisis & Trauma micro-credential course was engaging and enjoyable. I appreciated the mix of reading and video content, which made the learning process more dynamic and informative."

Rodney Ncube

"The Intro to Crisis & Trauma course was well-organized with a clear outline and logical progression of topics. This helped me to understand what to expect and how to navigate the material efficiently."

Deborah Le Roux

"The course was very informative and easy to follow with interesting videos to support. Loved it! "

Shawn Koen

"Wow! A very informative course. I've learned so much on the basics of crisis and trauma. I highly recommend this introductory short course."

Charlyn Aitken

''I thoroughly enjoyed the Intro to Crisis & Trauma micro-credential. The course was informative and interactive. The level of support provided was commendable, and the content was incredibly informative and helpful. I am confident in applying what I've learned.''

Michelle Scott

"I have learned that trauma can have profound and lasting effects on individuals' well-being and functioning."

Jaqueline Carmen Douglas Jones

''The course content was rich, engaging, and easy to follow with helpful videos that were not too long. It was lovely to be able to upskill at my own pace and still engage with fellow learners on the learning platform.''

Lesley Thompson

"The readings and videos were very insightful. It was my first time learning on an online platform and it is a very interactive one."

Bongekile Princess Damane

''The online learning platform was user-friendly. The Intro to Crisis & Trauma course was informative and I gained a lot of knowledge. I look forward to applying this knowledge in my day-to-day. "

Luvian May

"The Intro to Crisis & Trauma course offered valuable insights into trauma-informed care and was easy to access and follow. It was a great learning experience."

Certification

Upon completion, you will receive a digital certificate of competence and badge. Your certificate and badge can be shared on 100+ social media platforms, allowing you to share your achievement with a single click.

Credential Type

The OpenLearning team has reviewed this course to ensure quality academic learning within the Malaysian and Australian credentialing framework.

An OpenLearning OpenCred is a type of credential that can stand-alone, or interact with a formal qualification. OpenCred courses are market-leading online courses aimed at preparing learners for the future of work.

This course has been designed and developed by experts in the field of psychology. The Intro to Crises and Trauma micro-credential is for anyone needing to upskill in this area and offers 20 hours of indispensable learning and assessment.

Learners study online with peers and receive robust academic content while acquiring practical industry-relevant skills.

OpenCreds

Completing this course leads to obtaining an OpenCred.

20 hours of learning
OpenCred classification: Pathway

Stackable Credentials

Stack specified combinations of micro-credentials and they can be recognised as equivalent to a module within the Bachelor of Applied Social Science Degree at SACAP. Intro to Crisis & Trauma can be stacked with Symptoms of Crisis & Trauma and Crisis Interventions and Effective Crisis & Trauma Management, and if you meet the minimum entrance criteria, you can enrol for the Bachelor of Applied Social Science Degree and apply for module exemption.

Dates

Class of 2026 September: 7 September – 20 September
Class of 2026 October: 12 October – 25 October

There are no online classes. Course content is released on a weekly basis. This will allow you to work through the course material at a time that is most convenient for you, while still meeting the weekly targets on time.

Course highlights

A young blond student looking worried speaking to her lecturer

Explore principles and approaches to managing incidents of crisis and trauma.
Respond optimally in situations of crisis and trauma.
Make informed decisions in situations of crisis and trauma.

FAQs

What are the entry requirements?

Anyone 18 years of age or older can sign up for this micro-credential course. There are no academic entry requirements or conditions.

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone interested in developing counselling principles and approaches to managing incidents of crisis and trauma.

What is the time commitment?

A total of 20 hours is required to complete the micro-credential course. An average of 10 hours weekly over 2 weeks.

What do you need to do the course?

Access to Microsoft Word
Google Chrome (recommended)
Stable internet connection

Is the course accredited?

The micro-credential course is not accredited and non-credit bearing.

What is crisis and trauma?

The Cambridge Dictionary defines crisis as “an extremely difficult or dangerous point”. It therefore originates from a specific time or event. Trauma on the other hand is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as a “severe and lasting emotional shock and pain caused by an extremely upsetting experience.” Read more here.

The Team

The SACAP Global team brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience across various disciplines. Our expert short course developers and dedicated support team are passionate about sharing their insights to help you get the most out of your online learning journey.