Apprenticeship in a Trauma-Informed Scope of Practice

The Apprenticeship in a Trauma-Informed Scope of Practice (ATISP) is a partnership of support to integrate a trauma-informed perspective into your professional scope of practice and to develop your inner resources of self-care and self-regulation.  

The good news is that there are many, many informative and helpful resources that shape a growing field of trauma-informed professions. The challenge is that there are so many resources.  Sorting through the information and tools to find what you need and applying them to your own scope of practice is a daunting task. 

The ATISP is designed to: 

• Curate the resources and manage the overwhelm of the numerous theorists and trainings that are available. 
• Bridge the gap from professional information to wise and skillful application to your setting. 
• Hold supportive space for you to explore and call forth the wisdom within you.    

The ATISP is a one-on-one program; I meet with you individually.  I understand “apprenticeship” to be a “companionship” and “partnership” with you.  (Under the right circumstances, I would consider accepting a cohort of two apprentices.) 

The educational components, topics, and methods are tailored to your goals and learning styles.  We start with an Exploratory Session so that I can gain a sense of where you are and what your hopes are for the apprenticeship.  We frequently revisit your goals and adjust our methods to match.  There is not a “prescribed” course of study. 

It is suggested, but not required, that you use some of your sessions for supervision and/or case conferencing. 

Trauma-Informed training will inevitably touch and activate your own trauma history.  Spiritual direction undergirds the entire program; in addition, you may use a session specifically for spiritual direction or “add-on” spiritual direction at any time. 

When I use the term “trauma-informed,” I mean a perspective of safety, connection, and social engagement shaped by trauma studies, neurobiology, polyvagal theory, the Wisdom Traditions, and other sources.  It utilizes both ancient and modern techniques to foster our health, growth, and restoration.  

Here is a short video (less than 10 minutes) I created titled “What is Trauma-Informed Spiritual Direction” that unpacks the elements of a trauma-informed perspective in the context of spiritual direction.

A “trauma-informed” perspective can be brought to any scope of practice.  In truth, I try to live a “trauma-informed life” that carefully attempts to establish, cultivate, and restore safety, connection, and social engagement.  

I use the term “scope of practice” two ways: professionally and personally.

A professional scope of practice is the “what and how,” the “means and methods” of what you provide and what you do not provide professionally.  The professional scope of practice is partially informed by training, skill sets, and experience; it is also shaped by our own trauma history.  Our trauma can make us the “right match” or the “wrong match” for someone with a similar or related story of trauma.  The ATISP is designed to develop a professional scope of practice that is supported by skillful training and discernment.

A personal scope of practice is the “what and how,” the “means and methods” by which we support our own health, growth, and restoration.  What are your personal practices that establish, cultivate, and repair safe and nurturing connections?  The ATISP is a gentle space of exploring and equipping you individually. 

The ATISP sessions are 60 minutes and follow the Scope of Work agreement from the Exploratory Session (more on this below).

To state again, the ATISP is about helping you call forth your professional and personal scope of practice, so the content and methods are tailored to the needs and goals of the apprentice.
The pacing of the sessions is also scaled to the particular apprentice, but time between sessions is strongly suggested to allow for processing, integration, and practice of the material. Apprenticeships are offered in session blocks of 5 or 10 and have a time range for each series (see below).

There is a significant range of content possibilities for an apprenticeship.  You might find it helpful to visit my  

“Educational Journey” page for ideas and suggestions. 

Spiritual directors who have completed an initial training program and want to focus on developing their scope of practice from a trauma-informed perspective.

Clergy and chaplains who want to add a trauma-informed hermeneutic to their pastoral care and leadership skill set.

Interim and Transitional Ministers who want support for applying a trauma-informed lens to their systemic work with congregations in transition.

Yoga teachers who want to add applied polyvagal skills to increase their effectiveness in cuing safe, trauma-sensitive classes and individual sessions.

Non-profit leaders who want to buttress the communities they serve and the organization and staff teams they lead with skill sets of self-care and self-regulation. 

Each ATISP begins with a prerequisite Exploratory Session. 

Please complete the Exploratory Session Form (below) and send to me 24-hours prior to our Zoom meeting.

This meeting is also an opportunity for the potential apprentice to ask questions and begin to clarify what their goals are for their apprenticeship.

After the Exploratory Session, I will present an initial Scope of Work agreement as a suggested guide for our work together.  During the ATISP, we will frequently revisit and, as needed, revise the Scope of Work agreement.  

The fee for the Exploratory Session is $75 and does not count as a session of the selected ATISP. 

To schedule an Exploratory Session, please check the openings on my Events & Openings page.

Once an appointment is confirmed, I will send you an invoice for online payment of the session fee.  

Every apprenticeship requires an Exploratory Session.

The fee for this consultation is $75, not included the series tuition. Payment plans are possible.  

5-session Apprenticeship:  $750

To be completed over 3 to 6 months.

10-session Apprenticeship: $1,250 (Discount of $250)

To be completed over 6 to 12 months.