1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Trauma and Sleep Disturbances is presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD.

Adequate sleep is the foundation for optimal behavioral, cognitive, emotional, social, and physical health functioning. Several neurobiopsychosocial factors can impact overall sleep health. One such factor that may negatively impact sleep health is trauma. Persons impacted by trauma commonly experience sleep-related disturbances, and such issues are elevated among persons involved in psycholegal settings.

This program focuses on increasing awareness of the impact trauma has on sleep and the implications these topics have on criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings.  This program places special emphasis on implications for interviewing, screening, intake, intervention and discharge planning. Empirically based research findings and case study examples are highlighted throughout this program.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe trauma and other related terms
  • 2 Describe common sleep-related disorders
  • 3 Describe screening options to identify sleep disturbances among persons impacted by trauma
  • 4 Describe best practices for minimizing the consequences associated with trauma and sleep disturbances in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings
  • 5 Describe key research findings, statistics, and concepts associated with trauma and sleep disturbances in psycholegal settings

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for clinicians and allied professionals seeking to understand the impact of trauma on sleep health, particularly those specializing in forensic or legal populations. It is intended for individuals who focus on the assessment, intervention, and support of sleep-related disturbances that affect functioning and risk among people impacted by trauma. These professionals typically work with individuals involved in criminal justice, forensic mental health, or legal contexts.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychologists
    • Social Workers
    • Counselors
    • Forensic Clinicians
    • Legal Advocates
    • Correctional Health Providers

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience working with trauma, sleep health, and psycholegal populations.

    • Beginner: Participants new to trauma-informed care or sleep health will gain foundational knowledge of trauma, sleep disorders, and screening options relevant to psycholegal settings.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in trauma or forensic mental health will deepen their understanding of the interplay between trauma and sleep, and learn to apply best practices in interviewing, intervention, and discharge planning.

  • Practice Setting

    They work in justice-aligned behavioral health settings across secure, court-linked, and community contexts where trauma-related sleep disturbances affect functioning and risk. Practice centers on interviewing, screening, intake, targeted intervention, and discharge planning with individuals engaged in criminal justice, forensic mental health, or legal systems.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Jail and prison health services
    • Forensic psychiatric hospitals and secure treatment units
    • Court clinics, competency restoration, and diversion programs
    • Community reentry, probation, and parole behavioral health services
    • Victim services and legal aid organizations with clinical support
    • Law enforcement co-responder and crisis intervention teams
    • Specialized sleep clinics serving legally involved populations
Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma, and other life adversities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). Jerrod has also conducted over 200 workshops, webinars, and on-demand training for various organizations and professional and student audiences. In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing a graduate certificate in Neuroscience and Law from Michigan State University. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters and recently co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs. 


Jerrod has also completed specialized trainings and certifications in the following areas: 

Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor (CFNC) through Functional Nutrition Alliance 

Integrative Adult Sleep Coach Certification Program. A 12-month, in-depth, comprehensive training program 

Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies. A 7-month online post-graduate training program 

Certified Neurodiversity Professional 

Professional Certification in Trauma & Resilience: Level One 

Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist 

Certification as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist through Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center Rochester, Minnesota 

Brain Health Coaching Certification Course 

Certified Digestive Health Specialist through the Institute of Transformational Nutrition 

Gut Health Specialist Certification 

Stress and Mindset Coach Certification 

Holistic Health Coach Certification 

Certified Sleep Science Coach 

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Explores the role of adequate sleep in behavioral, cognitive, emotional, social, and physical health functioning

  • Examines the relationship between trauma and sleep disturbances, with elevated risks in psycholegal populations

  • Increases awareness of the impact of trauma on sleep within criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings

  • Emphasizes practical implications for interviewing, screening, intake, intervention, and discharge planning

  • Highlights empirically based research findings and case study examples to illustrate concepts

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).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

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), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #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. Palo Alto University 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. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by 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.