This 3-day immersive training offers therapists an introduction to Trauma Center, Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), with a special focus on how therapists can incorporate it into treatment. Developed at the Boston Trauma Center, TCTSY has gained evidence-based recognition over 20 years. It's utilized globally by both clinicians and yoga teachers to effectively help survivors heal and reconnect with their bodies. TCTSY acknowledges survivors' complex relationships with their bodies in the context of yoga, addressing the impacts of trauma.

How does TCTSY work?

It employs simplified yoga forms for survivors to practice embodied choice-making and presence in their bodies. Empowering language and attention to power dynamics grant participants full control while encouraging awareness of body signals. This approach tackles non-cognitive and body-based trauma impacts, aiding integration into psychotherapy. TCTSY becomes an avenue for clients who struggle to communicate or could benefit from a change, enabling them to "move about the trauma" in ways beyond verbal expression.

What does the training include?

Over 3 days, you will be introduced to the core concepts, methodology and protocol of TCTSY, enabling you to begin using it in your clinical practice.
Please note: you do not need to be a yoga teacher, or to have any prior yoga experience in order to participate or use TCTSY with your clients. Through a variety of presentations, group discussions, experiential exercises, role-playing and TCTSY practices, participants will learn:

• How to incorporate safe body movement into complex trauma treatment
• The core themes of the TCTSY methodology: Empowerment of the survivor, safety in relationships and neuroscience
• The anatomy of TCTSY cues and practice structure
• Body reclamation: The therapeutic goals of TCTSY
• Bringing TCTSY into therapy: Supporting clients through practice and processing
• Recent research findings and case studies; their implications for the mental health field
• Breathwork: Breathing techniques for the traumatized body
• How to identify for whom this approach is appropriate and trouble-shooting challenges

Participants will benefit from individual attention within role-playing exercises, as well as opportunities for facilitated practice in pairs. Each day will also include 2 group TCTSY practices, led by Rachel Oren.

This 20-hour foundational training is being presented on behalf of the Center for Trauma and Embodiment in Boston, MA, where TCTSY continues to be studied, developed and taught as its flagship program. Participants will receive a certificate and a letter of completion and will be eligible to apply for the full 300-hour Facilitator Certification program.

Feedback from previous course attendees:

“This was an excellent course. The unique trauma-sensitive approach to embodiment was both fascinating and meaningful. The emphasis on how to implement the TCTSY approach within therapy was particularly helpful. Rachel is a sensitive, attuned and skilled facilitator, transitioning beautifully between the theoretical and experiential portions of the training, so that they optimally complement one another. The case examples from her own practice were both heartwarming and enlightening. I look forward to incorporating what I learned within my therapy practice.”

“TCTSY was such an eye opening experience for me as a therapist! It stripped the “ego” out of yoga, making it conducive to work with people who experienced trauma in their past and are still retaining it in their body.”

"This is one of the best professional trainings I’ve ever participated in!"