Live Virtual Training via Zoom

Adam McCormick, PhD, presents a live virtual professional training program on The Unfinished Business of Childhood: Healing the Helping Professional's Childhood Trauma Wounds.

This training rooted in three years of research and interviews with social workers, therapists, and other helping professionals. This training examines the profound impact of unresolved childhood trauma and adversity on the personal and professional lives of those dedicated to serving others. Drawing on real-world experiences and emerging neuroscience, participants will explore how childhood adaptations—such as people-pleasing, over-functioning, and emotional vigilance—become both strengths and vulnerabilities in their work.

Through a combination of self-reflective exercises, case examples, and trauma-informed strategies, this training uncovers the ways in which emotional contagion, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout take root in the helping professions. Participants will gain insights into how their personal histories shape their interactions with clients and colleagues, as well as their capacity to maintain boundaries and sustain emotional balance.

The training emphasizes the critical importance of self-awareness and authenticity in fostering resilience and professional sustainability. It introduces practical, neuroscience-based approaches to self-care that go beyond traditional practices, addressing the unique challenges faced by helping professionals.

By the end of the training, participants will be equipped with tools to navigate the interplay between their inner worlds and the demands of their work, enabling them to show up more authentically and effectively for themselves and those they serve. This session offers a space for healing and reflection, empowering professionals to rewrite their narratives and thrive in their roles.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe how unresolved childhood trauma and adversity may manifest in the behaviors, emotional responses, and decision-making patterns of helping professionals, and how these manifestations can influence their interactions with clients and colleagues
  • 2 Describe the connection between childhood adaptive strategies (e.g., over-functioning, people-pleasing, hypervigilance) and professional vulnerabilities such as burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and boundary issues in clinical and organizational settings
  • 3 Describe the role of emotional contagion in clinical and collegial interactions, and apply strategies to maintain emotional boundaries while preserving therapeutic alliance and workplace well-being
  • 4 Describe self-reflective exercises that facilitate insight into how personal history intersects with professional identity, in order to promote authenticity, resilience, and alignment with ethical and relational standards in clinical practice
  • 5 Describe evidence-based, neuroscience-informed self-care strategies that support sustainable wellness and mitigate the long-term impact of occupational stress and trauma exposure in helping professions

  • Intended Audience

    This program is designed for individuals who dedicate their careers to supporting others through emotionally demanding and trauma-informed work. It is intended for those who regularly encounter the challenges of working with trauma-affected populations, high-intensity cases, and complex emotional dynamics, and who are committed to fostering resilience and well-being both for themselves and those they serve.

    • Social Worker
    • Therapist
    • Counselor
    • Mental Health Professional
    • Healthcare Professional (e.g., nurse, case manager, patient advocate)
    • Educator (e.g., school counselor, trauma-informed teacher)
    • First Responder (e.g., emergency personnel, crisis responder)
    • Private Practice Clinician
    • Social Work Educator or Supervisor

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all stages of their careers who seek to deepen their understanding of how unresolved childhood trauma and adaptive patterns impact their professional and personal well-being.
    Beginner: New or pre-licensed professionals developing foundational awareness of how personal history and adaptive behaviors (e.g., people-pleasing, over-functioning) influence their work, and seeking basic tools for self-reflection and boundary-setting.
    Intermediate: Practitioners with several years of experience who recognize the effects of secondary traumatic stress and emotional contagion, and are looking to integrate trauma-informed self-care and resilience strategies into their practice.
    Advanced: Seasoned professionals, supervisors, or administrators aiming to model authenticity and resilience, foster healthier work environments, and support colleagues or supervisees in navigating the interplay between personal history and professional demands.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals who participate in this program typically work in environments where they provide direct or indirect support to individuals facing trauma, adversity, or high emotional needs. These settings are often fast-paced, emotionally charged, and require a high degree of empathy, adaptability, and resilience. Professionals may work independently or as part of interdisciplinary teams, navigating complex systems and balancing the needs of clients, colleagues, and organizations. Their practice settings demand strong boundaries, self-awareness, and ongoing strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout.

    Examples of practice settings:

    • Community mental health centers supporting individuals with complex trauma histories
    • Hospitals and healthcare facilities managing acute and chronic patient needs
    • Schools and educational institutions serving students affected by adversity
    • Domestic violence shelters and crisis intervention programs
    • Child welfare agencies and family services organizations
    • Private practice offices for counseling, therapy, or consultation
    • First responder units, including emergency medical, fire, or crisis response teams
    • Residential treatment centers for youth or adults
    • Social work education and supervision environments supporting students and new professionals

Presented By

Adam McCormick, PhD, Professor or Social Work, St. Edward's University and Assistant Professor of Instruction, University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work

Adam McCormick is a social worker, educator, and author with two decades of experience addressing the intersection of trauma, resilience, and professional well-being in the helping professions. A Distinguished Teacher, Adam is deeply committed to empowering social workers, therapists, and educators to navigate the emotional demands of their work while fostering personal and professional growth. Adam’s first book, LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care (Routledge), explores the unique challenges and needs of LGBTQ youth within the child welfare system. His upcoming book, The Unfinished Business of Childhood: Healing the Helping Professional's Childhood Trauma Wounds, draws on three years of research and interviews with helping professionals to uncover how unresolved childhood trauma manifests in their work, relationships, and self-care practices. As a speaker and trainer, Adam has delivered keynotes and workshops to social workers, therapists, educators, and healthcare professionals, equipping them with tools to address secondary trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Combining evidence-based practices, neuroscience, and compelling personal insights, his trainings emphasize authentic self-care, emotional resilience, and sustainable career practices. When not writing or teaching, Adam enjoys spending time with his family, exploring the outdoors, and creating meaningful connections with those dedicated to helping others thrive.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Adam McCormick, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Introduction (15 min)

      • Welcome, learning objectives, and presenter background
      • Overview of research and interviews informing the program
      • Poll or reflection: “What drew you to this work?”

  • Part 1: Recognizing the Roots (30 min)

      • Impact of unresolved childhood trauma on helping professionals
      • Key patterns: emotional vigilance, people-pleasing, over-functioning
      • Activity: “Mapping Your Adaptations” – connect childhood traits to professional roles

  • Part 2: Emotional Contagion (30 min)

      • Emotional contagion and secondary trauma explained
      • How client trauma resonates with personal histories
      • Discussion: Boundary and emotional regulation challenges

  • Part 3: Rewriting the Narrative (40 min)

      • Distinguishing adaptive behaviors from authentic self
      • Evidence-based self-care strategies
      • Reflection: “What does sustainable self-care look like for me?”

  • Part 4: Tools for Resilience (40 min)

      • Practical skills: boundary-setting, emotional regulation, resilience
      • Breakouts: Apply a tool to a real-world scenario
      • Create a personal resilience plan

  • Closing (15 min)

      • Summary and key takeaways
      • Q&A
      • Commitment: Choose one self-care practice for the next 30 days

Live Event Policy

Registration for our live events is covered for one (1) person per purchase. If you would like to purchase for a group, please contact our group training team.

  • Event Communications

    When registering, use an email that is active and that you check regularly. We are not responsible for communications not being received; if you do not add [email protected] to your email safe sender list, our emails are likely to end up in your spam or junk folders.

  • Cancellation Policy

    This is a live program only and will not be made available on-demand. If you are unable to attend live please contact customer service 48 hours before the live event to request a refund.

  • Event Conduct

    Professional conduct is expected during our live programs. Our goal is to make our events as interactive as possible for all participants. We reserve the right to remove any participants who are disruptive, act unprofessionally, or who we are unable to verify their purchase.

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship/ provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.