We Start to Heal, the Moment we Feel Heard
LEVEL 1
Fundamentals of Trauma Recovery
Trauma, Brain, and the Body
TUITION: $545.00 CAD
Level 1 Certificate
Level 1 Training: Fundamentals of Trauma Recovery Certificate
Trauma is not simply an event that happened in the past; it is an experience that continues to live within the body, shaping our perceptions, relationships, and capacity to engage fully with life. Healing begins when we learn to listen to the wisdom of the body and understand the intricate relationship between the nervous system, emotions, and human resilience.
Level 1 Certificate Training provides a comprehensive introduction to the psychophysiology of trauma and the pathways that support recovery and restoration. Integrating contemporary trauma theory with a body-centered perspective, this course invites participants to deepen their understanding of how traumatic experiences are held within the body and how healing unfolds through safety, connection, awareness, and attunement.
Through self-directed study, reflective inquiry, case examples, video demonstrations, and a live interactive webinar, participants are introduced to evidence-informed principles and practices that honour the inherent capacity of individuals to heal, adapt, and grow. This training provides a compassionate framework for understanding trauma while cultivating greater sensitivity to the lived experience of those on the path of recovery.
This training is designed to provide theoretical knowledge and foundational skills in trauma-informed practice. It is not intended to train participants in the clinical application of Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice™ (ISTP™). Rather, the course serves as a prerequisite and foundational learning experience for students wishing to continue into Level 2 ISTP™ training.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Explore the psychophysiological impact of trauma and shock on the body, mind, and nervous system.
- Recognize the diverse expressions of trauma and their influence on emotional, cognitive, relational, and physical well-being.
- Understand the challenges and gifts that can emerge through trauma work, including vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and vicarious growth.
- Examine how the brain and nervous system adapt in response to stress, threat, and overwhelming experiences.
- Develop an understanding of Polyvagal Theory as a framework for cultivating safety, connection, and resilience.
- Explore the art of attunement and co-regulation as essential foundations for healing relationships.
- Appreciate the importance of working within the Window of Tolerance to support integration, emotional regulation, and sustainable healing.
- Understand Judith Herman’s model of trauma recovery and its enduring relevance in guiding trauma-informed practice.
- Cultivate a deeper appreciation for the body’s innate wisdom and its role in the journey toward healing and wholeness.
This training is both an academic and experiential invitation—an opportunity to deepen your understanding of trauma while fostering a greater capacity to meet human suffering with knowledge, presence, compassion, and hope.
Program Overview
Delivered in a flexible online format, Level 1 consists of 16 self-paced learning modules that explore:
- The psychophysiology of trauma
- Foundations of trauma recovery
- Nervous system regulation and resilience
- Body-centered approaches to healing
- Core trauma-informed principles and practices
- Evidence-informed treatment approaches
- Clinical considerations and best practices in trauma recovery
To support integration of the course materials, participants will also attend a live 3-hour interactive webinar designed to deepen understanding, encourage discussion, and connect theory to practice.
Learning Format
- 16 online self-study modules
- Video demonstrations and case examples
- Short quizzes at the end of each lesson to reinforce learning
- One 3-hour live online webinar offered bi-monthly
- Self-directed and self-paced learning
- Access to course materials for one year from the date of registration
Most participants complete the program within 2 to 3 months; however, learners may progress at their own pace and have up to one year to complete all requirements.
Continuing Education Credits
Participants who successfully complete the program are eligible to receive 25 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).
Pathway to Level 2
Successful completion of Level 1 Certificate Training is a prerequisite for enrollment in Level 2 Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice™ (ISTP™) training.
For detailed course content and curriculum information, View HERE.
NEW ADMISSION CRITERIA:
ISTP™ Levels 1, 2, and 3 are advanced professional training programs designed to prepare qualified mental health practitioners with the specialized knowledge, skills, and competencies required to integrate the ISTP™ model into clinical practice.
The ISTP™ curriculum is intended to build upon existing education, clinical training, and professional experience in the field of mental health. As such, these programs provide advanced continuing education rather than foundational or entry-level training.
Admission is therefore limited to individuals who are legally credentialed and qualified to practice within a recognized mental health profession. Applicants must possess the educational background, professional training, and scope of practice necessary to responsibly apply the concepts and interventions taught within the ISTP™ model.
ISTP™ training programs are not designed for individuals who are new to the mental health field or whose primary professional focus lies outside the provision of mental health services.
The Institute’s role is to provide specialized continuing education and professional development. The Institute does not serve as a licensing, regulatory, or accrediting body, nor does completion of ISTP™ training confer eligibility for independent clinical practice.
This admission requirement ensures that participants possess the foundational competencies necessary to engage with the advanced clinical concepts presented throughout the training and supports the professional standards, ethical responsibilities, and scope-of-practice considerations associated with the application of the ISTP™ model.
Eligible Applicants May Include:
- Registered Clinical Counsellors
- Psychologists
- Psychotherapists
- Social Workers
- Psychiatrists
- Mental Health Nurses
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Indigenous Mental Health Practitioners*
- Other regulated mental health professionals whose scope of practice includes psychotherapy, counselling, or trauma treatment
*Applications from Indigenous healing practitioners and other professionals may be considered on an individual basis where education, training, and scope of practice align with the objectives of the program
Level 1 Certificate Requirements
To receive a Certificate in Fundamentals of Trauma Recovery, participants must:
- Complete all 16 online self-study course modules.
- Attend one 2.5-hour live online webinar (offered monthly).
- Successfully complete all required learning activities and quizzes.
- Sign the Training and License Agreement.
Upon Completion of Level 1, Participants May:
- Receive a Certificate in Fundamentals of Trauma Recovery.
- Earn 25 Continuing Education Credits (CEC), where applicable.
- Register for Level 2 Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice™ (ISTP™) Training.
- Apply foundational trauma-informed knowledge within their existing professional role and scope of practice.
Upon Completion of Level 1, Participants May Not:
- Apply ISTP™ techniques or interventions in clinical practice.
- Represent themselves as trained, certified, or qualified in ISTP™.
- Use the designation “ISTP™ Trained” or any related professional title associated with the ISTP™ model.
Important Notice
Level 1 is a self-directed and self-paced training program. Participants have one year from the date of registration to complete all course requirements.
Access to online course materials will expire one year after registration. Extended access to course materials is available only to students enrolled in Level 2 and/or Level 3 training programs. Continued access is provided for up to four years from the original date of registration, subject to program policies and platform availability.
Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice (ISTP)™ is founded on the understanding that healing is a natural movement of life itself. Beneath the layers of conditioning, protection, and survival responses, each person carries an innate wisdom—a living intelligence that continually seeks balance, wholeness, and connection. The body is more than a physical structure; it is a vessel of awareness, memory, intuition, and transformation. It holds the stories of our lives, the imprint of our experiences, and the profound capacity to heal. When trauma, emotional wounds, chronic stress, or disconnection become embedded within us, this natural flow may be interrupted. Yet the wisdom that guides healing is never lost. It remains present beneath the surface, patiently waiting for the conditions that allow it to emerge. Healing is not about fixing what is broken. It is a process of remembering, reconnecting, and returning to our essential nature. As we cultivate safety, presence, compassion, and embodied awareness, the protective patterns that once served us can begin to soften. In their place, a deeper sense of aliveness, authenticity, and inner harmony can unfold. Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice (ISTP)™ honours the inseparable relationship between body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Drawing upon contemporary trauma-informed understanding, embodied practice, mindfulness, and self-compassion, ISTP™ creates a space where healing arises from within rather than being imposed from without. It supports individuals in listening more deeply to the wisdom of their bodies, trusting their inner experience, and awakening their inherent capacity for transformation. Formerly known as Mindfulness-Based Somatic Therapy (MBST)™, ISTP™ has evolved to reflect a broader vision of healing—one that embraces both scientific understanding and the deeper dimensions of human experience. At its heart, ISTP™ is an invitation to return to the wisdom of the body, the truth of the heart, and the wholeness of being that has always existed within.
Faculty Trainers, Training Assistants & Consultants
Our Faculty Trainers & Clinical Supervisors come from diverse professional and educational backgrounds including Registered Clinical Counsellors Social Workers, Psychotherapist, Yoga Therapist and Bodyworker.
Arshdeep Sandhu (Assistant)
MCP, RSW
Merika Gonnard (Asistant)
MPCC, C-ISTP™, RPC
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Life, in general can be complex and challenging at times. The mind often keeps us in a stuck yet familiar pattern of functioning that are maladaptive; unproductive and unhealthy. When it comes to therapy, I like to keep the process simple and accessible to all. This means that, regardless of the complex nature of the issues we bring into therapy, when we feel safe, connected to our bodies, and sense into our feelings, awareness deepens. While the mind can distract us from the truth, the body always tells the truth. Felt Wisdom is what heals.
REFUND POLICY: Integrative Somatic Studies Institute does not issue refunds once course has been purchased. All rights reserved. Training Fees may change without notice.