Trauma Informed Practice: Broad Definition of Spiritual Trauma and Exploring Common Theme & Polyvagal Systems and Somatic Resources Toxic Spiritual Leadership Using the A.I.P Lens & Resources and Cognitive Interweaves Core Issues and Special Populations

Identify the large need for further training in this area. Describe spiritual trauma in a broad sense. Discuss what a trauma-informed approach is as it relates to spiritual trauma. Identify at least three areas of life that are affected by spiritual trauma. Name three interventions/resources that can help clients process spiritual trauma. Identify at least one way that maladaptive coping skills related to spiritual trauma can be seen through the AIP (Adaptive Information Processing Model). Explain spiritual bypassing and how that relates to dissociation.

EMDR For Spiritual Trauma and Religious Abuse

Q: Continuing Education

4 CEs are available upon completion of all course material. Trauma Therapist Institute is an approved continuing education provider. ACE, NBCC and EMDRIA CEs are available for this course. APA CEs are not available for this course. Participants must complete the full training to receive credit. ACE Approved Provider Trauma Therapist Institute, #1869, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 1/16/25 - 1/16/28. Social workers completing this course receive 4 clinical continuing education credits. NBCC Approved Provider Trauma Therapist Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7033. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. TTI is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. EMDRIA Approved Provider Trauma Therapist Institute is an EMDRIA Approved Training Provider. TTI courses are individually approved. CE Certificate will contain course approval number.

Unlock the healing potential of EMDR for spiritual trauma and religious abuse in a supportive, specialized course. Designed for EMDR therapists, this specialized course will teach you the essential tools to help clients process the painful and confusing experiences of spiritually based trauma.

Led by trauma and EMDR expert Erica Bonham, you’ll learn strategies to address dynamics like gaslighting, spiritual bypassing, and shame-based identities. With concrete interventions, somatic resources, and strategies for identifying and reprocessing targets with EMDR, this course empowers you to support clients from diverse backgrounds. Explore the impact of spiritual abuse on the LGBTQIA+ population and its intersectionality with domestic violence and sexuality.

With a foundation in polyvagal theory, this training equips you to create safe, compassionate spaces that support each client’s unique healing journey. Dive into the intersection of EMDR, spirituality, and social justice to help clients reconnect with their authentic selves. Join us to enrich your trauma-informed, EMDR treatment approach and make a meaningful impact.

Shame-Free Space for Learning™

Because the best learning happens when you feel safe. Ask freely, show up fully, and learn in a relational, non-judgmental environment built for practitioners like you.

Expert Clinical Training

Expect real case examples, clear guidance, and a teaching style that makes even complex topics feel approachable so you can confidently use what you learn in session right away.

Where Learning Meets Community

Join a community of clinicians learning side by side, sharing real case insights and peer support so you can grow your skills with confidence alongside your peers in meaningful connection.

This training gives you a complete clinical toolkit for EMDR early intervention work, from initial assessment through protocol selection and application. Every technique is taught with direct application to recent traumatic event presentations.

In this EMDR early intervention training, you'll learn how to:

Assess client readiness for EMDR phases following a recent traumatic event, and make confident decisions about when to resource, when to use constricted processing, and when a full protocol is appropriate
Apply five stabilization and resourcing techniques for distress management and dual awareness in the acute phase following trauma
Use EMD and EMDr as constricted processing strategies with recent event presentations, including how to apply them for stabilization before moving to a full protocol
Implement REP, R-TEP, and PRECI, the three most commonly used EMDR protocols for recent traumatic events, so you can choose the right one for each client and situation
Build a treatment plan for recent events that accounts for case conceptualization, client readiness, and the differences between early intervention and standard EMDR protocol

Investigate the research on EMDR with early trauma intervention, including recommendations and contraindications for when to proceed and when to wait
Assess client readiness across all EMDR phases when working with recent traumatic events, including how to read presentations that are still in acute distress
Differentiate between resourcing, constricted processing, and full protocol options for recent events, and develop the clinical judgment to choose between them in real time
Apply at least two techniques for distress management and at least two for increasing dual awareness, drawn from the stabilization toolkit covered in the course
Formulate an EMDR treatment plan for recent traumatic events and articulate how it differs from the standard protocol

Broad spiritual trauma framework

Recognize spiritual trauma across diverse traditions and assess for it during Phase 1 history taking.

Toxic leadership and Dark Triad dynamics

Identify gaslighting, control, and narcissistic dynamics that shape religious abuse presentations.

Spiritual bypassing and dissociation

Understand how bypassing operates as a dissociative defense and address it through the AIP model.

Q&A and chat

Submit questions and connect with peers through the on-demand course community.

LGBTQIA+ and intersectional considerations

Address spiritual trauma's intersection with sexuality, domestic violence, and suicide risk.

Learn on your schedule

On-demand access means you go at your own pace. Lifetime access is included, so you can return whenever you need it.

Expert clinical insight

Case-grounded teaching from a certified EMDR consultant and trainer specializing in spiritual abuse, LGBTQIA+ trauma, and social justice.

Free community membership

Join TTI's shame-free community of practitioners for ongoing conversations, support, and resources. No cost, no catch.

Seeing clients in the days, weeks, or first few months after a traumatic event, and unsure which EMDR intervention fits the presentation
Familiar with EMD and EMDr but wanting a clearer framework for when and how to apply them in early intervention contexts
Looking to learn the REP, R-TEP, and PRECI protocols in one focused, clinically grounded training
Working in crisis response, disaster mental health, first responder support, or community settings where recent trauma is common
Wanting a practical, consolidating course that brings together early intervention research and protocol application without the scatter
Seeking EMDRIA, NBCC, or ASWB continuing education in a focused, on-demand format with experiential practice included

Erica Bonham is a certified EMDR clinician, consultant and trainer and is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Colorado. She aspires to be a catalyst for change, justice, growth, evolution and all around badassery. She has lead trainings and workshops all over the country, including Montgomery County School District in Baltimore, MD. Athens-Clarke County School District in GA, and the Domestic Violence Collation in Denver, CO.

She specializes in serving the LGBTQ community, abuse recovery, and trauma related to social injustice and spiritual abuse. She incorporates her training as a yoga instructor and mindfulness practitioner to deepen clients healing of their bodies and specializes in somatic and attachment EMDR and ego state work. She is a published author and speaker.

She seeks to get into good trouble to dismantle systems of oppression and white supremacy and aspires to be part of the emergent, reimagining of a world rooted in the values of beauty, equity, nonviolence, and empowerment of all beings.

Agenda

Trauma Informed Practice: Broad Definition of Spiritual Trauma and Exploring Common Theme & Polyvagal Systems and Somatic Resources
Toxic Spiritual Leadership
Using the A.I.P Lens & Resources and Cognitive Interweaves
Core Issues and Special Populations

Learning Objectives

Identify the large need for further training in this area.
Describe spiritual trauma in a broad sense.
Discuss what a trauma-informed approach is as it relates to spiritual trauma.
Identify at least three areas of life that are affected by spiritual trauma.
Name three interventions/resources that can help clients process spiritual trauma.
Identify at least one way that maladaptive coping skills related to spiritual trauma can be seen through the AIP (Adaptive Information Processing Model).
Explain spiritual bypassing and how that relates to dissociation.

Prerequisites

EMDR Basic Training

Continuing Education

4 CEs are available upon completion of all course material.

Trauma Therapist Institute is an approved continuing education provider. ACE, NBCC and EMDRIA CEs are available for this course. APA CEs are not available for this course.

Participants must complete the full training to receive credit.

ACE Approved Provider

Trauma Therapist Institute, #1869, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 1/16/25 - 1/16/28. Social workers completing this course receive 4 clinical continuing education credits.

NBCC Approved Provider

Trauma Therapist Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7033. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. TTI is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

EMDRIA Approved Provider

Trauma Therapist Institute is an EMDRIA Approved Training Provider. TTI courses are individually approved. CE Certificate will contain course approval number.

Course Completion

To receive a CE certificate, participants must complete the entire course, complete the post-test with a score of 80% or above, and complete the course evaluation. You may retake the post-test as needed. Once completed, a CE certificate will auto-populate to your online account.

Cancellation Policy

Please reference our cancellation policy here (bottom section of this page).

EMDR Advanced Training