Professional Certificate: Working Therapeutically with Sexual Abuse and Complex Trauma
Are you a qualified psychotherapist or counselling psychologist interested in enhancing your skills and competency to support individuals impacted by complex trauma and child sexual abuse?
Apply today to join the next cohort of our 10-day professional development course.
There is a growing demand for therapists who feel confident and clinically equipped to work with the complex and long-lasting impacts of child sexual abuse (CSA) and relational trauma.
At One in Four, Ireland we work together to end child sexual abuse by providing expert-led support to survivors, innovating prevention strategies, and empowering societal responsibility. Our professional and dedicated services are nationally and internationally recognised.
This course is delivered by our expert clinical team and combines in-depth theory with experiential learning, case-based discussion, and reflective integration sessions. Participants will deepen their understanding of complex trauma, strengthen their relational skills, and enhance their therapeutic capacity to work safely and effectively in this challenging but essential area.
Practicalities
When? The course will run monthly on the fourth/fifth Saturday of each month beginning on January 31st, 2026 (see website for exact dates)
Where? 35-36 Arran Quay, Smithfield, Dublin, D07 E221
CPD: 55 points IACP approved
Cost? €2,800 – must book by Monday, 8 December 2025. Fee payable in two instalments January 2026 and May. We require a non-refundable 10% deposit to secure placement. €2,700 Early bird price if you book before 1st October 2025. All proceeds from this course will be used to help fund the services that we provide.
To Apply Complete the following form: https://forms.gle/pJTezQvSizxqFkib6
Places are limited to maintain a contained and supportive learning environment.
Early application is strongly encouraged.
Learning Outcomes
Critically evaluate the developmental impact of complex trauma, including the psychological, emotional, and physiological sequelae of child sexual abuse, to inform nuanced clinical formulation.
Integrate and adapt therapeutic modalities responsively and in-the-moment, demonstrating clinical flexibility in alignment with clients’ trauma presentations and emergent needs.
Analyse and manage transference and countertransference dynamics within the therapeutic relationship, particularly in the context of trauma and abuse, to maintain attunement and clinical boundaries.
Reflect on and evaluate the impact of personal values, cultural frameworks, and implicit biases on clinical decision-making to ensure ethical, culturally responsive practice.
Demonstrate advanced competence in identifying, conceptualising, and containing trauma-related dynamics within diverse clinical settings.
Design and implement individualised, sustainable self-care strategies grounded in best practices for trauma-informed clinicians to mitigate vicarious trauma and prevent burnout.
Course Modules Include
Working with Child Sexual Abuse: Complex Trauma, Shame, Resourcing and Psychoeducation.
Therapeutic Modalities and their Approach to Trauma: Body Work, Integrative Psychotherapy, Using Creativity, and Sexual Intimacy after Abuse.
Systemic Context: Family Support, Group Work, Prevention/dynamics of offending behaviour, working with male survivors, and the role of Advocacy and the legal system.
Practitioner Focus: Self-Care, and Effective use of Supervision
Two complimentary sessions of group supervision will be offered to participants after the course.
What our current students are saying:
“What I found particularly useful was the relational approach of the lecturers. They were highly attuned to the group and created a safe, supportive environment where participants felt genuinely able to explore and engage. Their ability to connect on a human level made the training feel both grounded and meaningful, and encouraged open reflection and shared learning.”
“The trainers brought their first hand, extensive experience which cannot be replicated by books.”
Disclaimer: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on the IACP website event calendar, the IACP cannot accept any responsibility or liability for information provided by outside organisation. The views expressed in presentations made at this event are those of the event organiser / speaker and not, necessarily, of the IACP. Presentations at this event do not constitute an endorsement of the IACP regarding organiser’s or speaker’s views, products or services.
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