Certification

Competency-based Trauma Mental Health Certification

Trauma-competent clinicians are responsible for providing evidence-based PTSD treatment. They must know the limits of their clinical competence and seek clinical supervision or consultation as needed. Trauma-competent clinical mental health practitioners also demonstrate an understanding of foundational trauma knowledge including trauma theory and principles of trauma-informed-care as well as trauma-focused clinical skills.

The American Mental Health Counseling Association provides credentialing certification as a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist in Trauma Counseling and has the following requirements (see link below):

• Applicants must attest to having completed a minimum of 10 hours of specialist supervision by a licensed mental health professional who has expertise in the area. Supervision required for independent state licensure cannot be counted toward this specialist supervision requirement.
• Applicants must attest that they have the knowledge of the ethics and standards of practice in the specialist area and will abide by all applicable codes of ethics.

https://www.amhca.org/career/credential/apply/trauma

The Institute for Trauma Competency provides the trauma mental health training and supervision to meet the requirements for this credentialing certification as indicated by AMHCA on their website below:

"Successful applicants will be awarded a certificate, and may refer to themselves as a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist or CMHC Specialist (e.g., CMHC Specialist–Trauma)."

https://www.amhca.org/career/credential/apply/trauma