1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Trauma-Informed Care in the Criminal Justice System is presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD.

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a strength-based approach and framework designed to better understand, recognize, and minimize the potential of traumatizing or re-traumatizing the client or care provider. This approach to care is built upon the recognition of trauma symptoms and acknowledgment of their potential consequences across the lifespan. Viable in diverse settings, from health care to education systems, trauma-informed care is particularly promising in the criminal justice system, where clients are at substantially greater risk for previous traumatic experiences than the general population.

Here, trauma-informed care holds the potential to improve treatment outcomes, decrease the likelihood of future criminal behaviors, and increase the safety of the broader community.

Designed for professionals working in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings, this training serves as an introduction to trauma-informed care. Empirically based research findings are highlighted throughout this program.

 

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the causes, symptoms, and red flag indicators of trauma
  • 2 Describe the role of trauma in the manifestation of criminal behavior
  • 3 Describe the principles of the trauma-informed care model
  • 4 Describe the potential of trauma-informed care in the criminal justice system
  • 5 Describe relevant recent research findings

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for professionals seeking to integrate trauma-informed care into their practice within justice-related systems. It is tailored for those specializing in forensic mental health, correctional psychology, social work, counseling, and related fields that intersect with the legal and criminal justice system. Participants will gain foundational knowledge and practical strategies to enhance their effectiveness with individuals impacted by trauma in these environments.


    Examples of Relevant Professionals:
    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Forensic Psychologists
    • Correctional Psychologists
    • Social Workers
    • Counselors in justice-related settings
    • Probation Officers
    • Parole Officers
    • Staff in forensic hospitals
    • Practitioners in community-based programs intersecting with the legal/criminal justice system
    • Legal professionals interested in trauma-informed approaches

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for a range of experience levels among licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals working in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal settings.

    • Beginner: Participants new to trauma-informed care or the criminal justice context who seek foundational knowledge of trauma, its impact, and the core principles of TIC.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience applying trauma-informed approaches who wish to deepen their understanding of trauma’s role in criminal behavior and integrate recent research findings into practice.

  • Practice Setting

    Format Practice occurs within justice-related and forensic behavioral health environments across institutional and community contexts serving individuals with high rates of trauma exposure. These structured systems balance safety, accountability, and coordinated care, applying trauma-informed care to improve outcomes, reduce re-traumatization, and support community safety.


    Examples of Practice Settings:
    • Correctional facilities
    • Forensic hospitals
    • Probation and parole departments
    • Community-based programs intersecting with the legal/criminal justice system
    • Legal settings

Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD Pathways Counseling Center, Inc.

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.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Jerrod Brown, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Foundations of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC)
    - Definition and principles of TIC
    - Strength-based framework to reduce traumatization and re-traumatization

  • Recognition and Impact of Trauma
    - Identifying trauma symptoms and consequences across the lifespan
    - Understanding trauma’s pervasive effects

  • Applications Across Settings
    - Use in healthcare, education, and other systems
    - Unique relevance within the criminal justice system

  • TIC in Criminal Justice Contexts
    - Elevated trauma prevalence among justice-involved individuals
    - Potential to improve treatment outcomes and reduce recidivism
    - Enhancing safety for individuals and communities

  • Research Foundations
    - Empirically based findings integrated throughout
    - Evidence supporting TIC practices

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.