Pacific Oaks College Announces New Trauma Studies Specialization

The School of Cultural and Family Psychology at Pacific Oaks College announces a new Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy specialization in Trauma Studies, launching Fall 2014.

Students in this specialization will develop skills to work in mental health settings, veterans’ hospitals, gang intervention programs, continuation schools, immigrant detention centers and domestic violence and child abuse centers.

“The Marriage and Family Therapy department in the School of Cultural and Family Psychology believes that the Trauma Specialization within a social ecological context is in keeping with our social justice mission that underscores urgent societal issues that have long term disabling effects on the family health, child development and wellbeing,” said Connie Destito, Director, School of Cultural and Family Psychology.

The Trauma Studies specialization is organized around four foundational competencies: theoretical, clinical, sociopolitical/cultural and case studies. These competencies are the core foundation for understanding and application of the work of trauma and mental health.

The curriculum will address a selected realm of topics, including complex and post-traumatic stress disorder, neurobiology and trauma, attachment trauma, culture and trauma, historical trauma, adult survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse and family violence, combat trauma, polyvictimization, and compassion fatigue.

Founded nearly 70 years ago by a small group of Quaker families, Pacific Oaks College is dedicated to the fundamental Quaker principles of inclusion, social justice, and the valuing of every human being. Pacific Oaks College is a nonprofit, accredited higher education institution offering bachelor’s-completion, master’s and certificate programs in human development, marriage and family therapy, education, early childhood education, and teacher credentialing. It offers classes at its main campus in Pasadena and at a number of convenient off-site locations throughout California, as well as online. Since 1959, Pacific Oaks has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

For more information, visit pacificoaks.edu.