Post Graduate Diploma in Trauma Focused Therapy

Eligibility

Location: BLENDED

 

School: School of Human Ecology

 

Intake: 40 (Including GoI Reservation)

 

Eligibility for the Course:

M.Phil in Clinical Psychology/ Rehabilitation Psychology (RCI affiliated), from a recognized University, OR

Masters Degree in Psychology/ Applied Psychology/ Counselling from a recognized University, with a minimum of 2 years of experience as a practicing psychologist/ counsellor.

M.Phil in Psychiatric Social Work from a recognized University, OR

M.D in Psychiatry from a recognized University

Description

 

 Selected_for_PGDTFT_2025-26.pdf

 

 Waitlist will be announed on 21st July, 2025

 

Candidates should be in active practice.

Important Dates:

Last Date for Receiving Applications	June 20, 2025
Announcement of Shortlisted Candidates for Online Assessment	June 25, 2025
Online Personal Interview	Please follow the dates, according to the mails sent
Announcement of Merit List	17th July, 2025
Last Date to make fee payment	21st July, 2025
Commencement of Course	Tentatively 23rd July, 2025

 

Description

Course Overview

 

The present curriculum for the ‘Post Graduate Diploma in Trauma Focused Therapy’ is based on the needs of counsellors and psychotherapists working with trauma across life span. The curriculum rests on ethical, practice and research guidelines on trauma-informed and trauma-focused counselling and psychotherapy. The curriculum covers scientific understanding of trauma which is critical to conceptualize the trauma lens as also ethical aspects of trauma-informed and trauma focused approaches to practice. The course introduces some of the major theoretical frameworks for trauma therapy and arms the practitioners with practical skills in handling and treating trauma. The course does not include specific training by relevant certifying organizations like EMDR, IFS etc. However, the course introduces the theoretical bases of these interventions and would urge practitioners to follow their choice and participate in continuous learning in expanding their skills in various evidence-based trauma focused interventions. The program has been designed with professionals in mind, to develop knowledge and skills, along with intensive practice through supervised field work and case presentations, while continuing to meet individual life and work demands.

 

 

Duration

The course is a one-year PG Diploma course with a blended pedagogy. Spread across two semesters, the course maps out to approximately 42 weeks of classes and two blocks (1 week in each semester) of in-person contact hours in a year.

 

Transaction of Course

This is a part time course for professionals. Classes and contact hours are designed in a way to enable learners to pursue the course alongside their practice. There will be 8- 10 hours per week of classes/ contact hours in a staggered manner. Classes may be conducted during early mornings, late afternoons and evenings on weekdays. Occasionally some contact hours may be transacted during the weekends. The course is split into two semesters and will be transacted via blended mode. Two blocks of in-person contact hours (1 week in each semester) is compulsory, in TISS Mumbai campus.

Evaluation modalities will be online. Learners need to ensure internet connectivity as one of the basic requisites for successful transaction of the course.

 

The course will be taught by the faculty from SHE anchoring the course, and nationally and internationally acclaimed guest faculty. Clinical supervisors for the course are trained trauma therapists.

The course combines critical elements of trauma-focused approaches to psychotherapy and is designed in a manner to be trauma-informed for the developing trauma therapist.

 

Some highlights of the course:

 

• 11 Modules, spanning theory and skills building
• 4 Credits on intensive learning of trauma informed counselling skills
• 8 Credits on trauma focused therapies including EMDR, Parts Work, IFS, Somatic and Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapies, working with adults, couples and children
• Experiential Trainings on Developing and Nurturing the “Self” of the Therapist
• 12 Credits of Fieldwork and Practicum
• Total 90 hours of supervision
• Research and publication as thrust areas 
• Innovations in Trauma Informed Pedagogy for Learners

 

Distribution of Credit Hours:

Course Structure

The detailed course structure will be available at the time of admission into the course.

 

PG Diploma in ‘Trauma Focused Therapy’ 40 credits
Module 1	Foundations of Trauma Therapy	4 credits
Module 2	Trauma-Informed Counselling Skills	4 credits
Module 3	Field Work I: Application of Trauma Therapy in Practice Space	4 credits
Module 4	Supervision I: Reflective Practice with Clinical Supervisors	2 credits
Module 5	Case Presentation I	2 credits
Module 6	Therapeutic Approaches to Trauma Therapy	4 credits
Module 7	Trauma Therapy for Special Populations	4 credits
Module 8	Field Work II: Application of Trauma Focused Modalities in Practice Space	8 credits
Module 9	Supervision II: Reflective Practice with Clinical Supervisors	4 credits
Module 10	Case Presentation II	2 credits
Module 11	Research	2 credits

 

 

Course Objectives:

 

The objectives of the PGD course in Trauma Focused Therapy are:

To develop a comprehensive perspective and sensitivity to the etiology of trauma in various presentations of trauma-related symptoms and narratives

To develop an intersectional lens of how social identities influence the development of trauma and resilience.

To be informed by a strong base of neurobiology of trauma.

To be able to conduct assessment of trauma in an ethical and sensitive manner for treatment planning.

To practice evidence-based trauma focused interventions in an ethical manner as per trauma-informed guidelines.

To understand and apply basic principles, strategies, guidelines and techniques of trauma-informed counselling in a sensitive and ethical manner with individuals, couples and groups across ages.

To develop an acute understanding of self as a trauma therapist and thereby recognize the importance of supervision in therapist’s growth.

 

 

Mode of Application: Fill up the Online Application Form. Upon being selected for interview, please send (to traumacourses.tiss@gmail.com) the following:

Statement of Purpose (copy paste onto the section “Reasons for joining the course”): Tell us your suitability regarding the course objectives describing your motivation to pursue this course on trauma-focused therapy. Describe your prior training in Psychotherapy and your professional experience this far. Describe and reflect upon your practice space and yourself as a therapist.

Recommendation Letters: Provide 2 letters of recommendation from a past faculty and current/ past Clinical Supervisor/ Teacher.

Only completed applications will be accepted for review. Only shortlisted candidates will be intimated for a video-conferenced interview. Decision regarding selection of candidates rests on the course designers and organizers.

 

Intake: 40 (Including GoI reservation)

 

(Please note that the course will be offered if there are a minimum of 20 students)

 

 

Semesterwise Courses:

 

 

 

 

 

Fee Structure:

Fee Structure

 

Sr. No.	Particulars	Fees for Semester I (in INR) (at the beginning of the course)	Fees for Semester II (in INR) (payable after 20 weeks)
1.	Tuition Fees	38,500/-	38,500/-
2.	Examination Fees	1000/-	1000-
3.	Field Work/ Internship/Supervision Charges	8800/-	8800/-
4.	IT Charges	2000/-	2000/-
5.	Library Charges	1500/-	1500/-
6.	Other Charges (ID Card, Convocation & Misc)	2500/-	-
7.	Lab/ Studio Fund	2500/-	2500/-
8.	Development Fund	5000/-	5000/-
9.	Alumni Fund	-	500/-
10.	Caution Deposit (Refundable at the time of exit through NDC Process)	5000/-	-
10.	Total	66,800/-	59,800/-

Note: Caution Deposit and Library Deposit will be returned to the student on completion of the Course). Fees are payable semester-wise.

The course is a Self-Financed course. There are no scholarships available.

 

Accommodation and Hostel

 

Not applicable.

 

FAQs

 

How long is the course for? Can I attend from my current location?

The course is for one year, spanning across 42 weeks of classes/ contact hours. Since it is in blended modality, learners can attend it from their current location. Contact classes are going to be held for one week in each semester in TISS Mumbai campus.

How many hours of classes do I need to attend every week?

Approximately 6-8 hours of classes per week. For the in-person blocks, hours will be more than the usual for online classes.

What will be the timings of the classes?

Class timings are designed for practicing professionals, who are learners of the course. However, from our experience, evening hours work best for most practitioners on weekdays (6 – 8 pm IST).

Other than classes, how much more time do I need to spend for completing course requirements?

There are designated self-study and self-reflective units to be completed. This is aside the didactic and supervision hours.

How will I be evaluated?

There will be assignment submissions and other activities that will be required for evaluation purposes. Additionally, end semester examinations will be conducted in online modality.

Does the course involve any real life interviewing or role plays?

The course is designed to provide the learners with enough practicum experience that helps in transfer of learning to their practice space.

Will I be able to discuss clients from my current practice space?

Learners are encouraged to bring case discussions from their current practice space for supervision. Ethical practices surrounding confidentiality and consent of clients must be adhered to.

Will I get a course completion certificate?

Upon successful completion of the course, learners will get a Post Graduate Diploma in Trauma Focused Therapy, at the convocation organized by Nirantar, TISS

What if I discontinue due to personal reasons? Will I get a refund of my money?

Learners may request for deferment to a later semester in case of personal exigencies and unavoidable circumstances. However, such requests must be validated with appropriate documentation. Semester fees once paid cannot be refunded.

How will Field Work be transacted in the course?

Cases from the learners’ own practice space in the form of session recordings and/ or transcripts would be utilized. However, strict ethical practices surrounding confidentiality and consent of clients must be adhered to. Learners are also encouraged to volunteer at organizations at their location, to enable maximum immersion in fieldwork experience.

Can I take the course completely online?

The course is designed to be conducted in blended mode. While some components will be transacted online, a block of contact classes for a week is compulsory, in TISS Mumbai campus.

Can I avail Scholarships?

This is a self-financed course. There are no scholarships available.

I don’t have a background in formal Psychology training. Am I still eligible for the course?

Please check the eligibility criteria for minimum qualifications and professional experience before you apply. At least a Masters in the field of Psychology/ Psychotherapy and an active practice space is necessary.

I have a Ph.D in Psychology/ Social Sciences. Am I eligible for the course?

Minimum eligibility criteria holds. Applicants also need to be active practitioners in the field of psychotherapy.

 

Have a different query? Email us at traumacourses.tiss@gmail.com

 

 

Anchored by:

 

Sukanya Ray

Assistant Professor

School of Human Ecology