Trauma-Informed Communication Strategies for Educators and Clinicians

Course Description

This course will provide practical, evidence-based strategies for creating safe communication environments that support healing and growth. Drawing from clinical practice and educational settings, participants will learn to recognize trauma responses in communication and develop authentic, supportive dialogue techniques that move beyond scripted responses.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

Identify communication patterns that may indicate trauma responses in children

Implement trauma-informed dialogue techniques that build trust and safety

Create classroom and clinical environments that support authentic communication

Develop strategies for supporting children’s emotional regulation through communication

Apply the “rich talk” approach to foster genuine connection with trauma-affected children

Completion requirements

Participants have to:

Who is this for

Also suitable for

Physical Therapists/ Physical Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapists/ Occupational Therapy Assistants
Special education teachers/Education Specialists
Psychologists/Mental Health Professionals
Behavioral Therapists/Behavioral Professionals

Time Ordered Agenda:

Opening & Welcome (5 minutes)

Welcome and introductions
Brief overview of webinar objectives
Housekeeping items (chat, Q&A format, recording notice)
Setting the tone for safe learning environment

Foundation Setting (10 minutes)

Understanding trauma’s impact on communication
Why traditional scripted approaches often fall short
Introduction to trauma-informed communication principles
Brief participant poll: “What’s your biggest communication challenge with trauma-affected children?”

Core Content Block 1: Recognizing Trauma Responses (12 minutes)

Identifying communication patterns that indicate trauma responses
Verbal and non-verbal cues to watch for
Fight, flight, freeze responses in communication
Case study examples from educational and clinical settings
Interactive element: Scenario recognition exercise

Core Content Block 2: Building Trust & Safety (13 minutes)

Creating psychologically safe communication environments
The “not scripts” approach explained
Authentic dialogue techniques that build connection
Practical strategies for different age groups
Demonstration: Contrasting scripted vs. authentic responses

Core Content Block 3: Supporting Emotional Regulation (10 minutes)

Using communication to support co-regulation
Techniques for helping children manage big emotions
When to speak, when to listen, when to just be present
Practical tools participants can implement immediately

Q&A and Application (8 minutes)

Live Q&A addressing participant questions
Quick sharing of implementation commitments
Resource sharing (handouts, additional reading)

Closing & Next Steps (2 minutes)

Key takeaways summary
Follow-up resources and contact information
Thank you and final thoughts

Meet The Speaker

Rebecca Rolland

EdD

Rebecca Rolland is a Harvard lecturer, a frequent keynote speaker, and a lecturer on topics such as communication with children, early childhood education, and the power of conversation to build authentic, healthy relationships. She believes that conversation is an inborn human need and that great conversations are a human right. Her work explores the power of communication and demonstrates how to build thriving families, classrooms, and relationships. She is the author of The Art of Talking with Children (HarperOne, 2022), a book designed to enhance relationships with kids. The book is being translated into eleven languages, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Turkish, Vietnamese, and Spanish, with more translations on the way.

Rebecca works with school districts, educators, caregivers, and organizations to help build thriving families, classrooms, and relationships.

“Professional Affiliations and Previous Presentations”

Disclosures

Financial

Non-Financial

This event is offered for 1 contact hour. 0.1 ASHA CEUs at an Intermediate level

No prerequisites required for this course.

This course was launched in July 2025. Upon purchase, access to all course materials is granted for five (5) years from the launch date. Course content will remain accessible through your profile while logged in, until July 2030.

Refund policy

Special Requests

Special accommodations may be requested.

Please email education@readysetconnect.com indicating your special needs and accommodation requests.

Compliance Policy

For any compliance concerns or complaints, please reach out to diana@readysetconnect.com. All submissions will be reviewed and addressed, within two working days. Records will be retained in accordance with our policy.

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5.0

Total 2 Ratings

2 Ratings

0 Ratings

Amanda Carter

8 months ago

I’ve taken many professional development courses, but this one stood out. Rebecca explains trauma-informed communication in a clear, practical way. My classroom feels calmer, and my students are opening up more than ever.

Mary Thompson

8 months ago

Rebecca’s course completely changed the way I approach communication with my students. I now recognize subtle trauma responses and can respond in ways that build trust instead of escalating stress. Truly transformative.

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Questions?

Contact: education@readysetconnect.com