Trauma Recovery Certification Program for Disaster Organizations
OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT!
Upcoming cohorts for Level 2: January 5, 2026 and April 6, 2026
Upcoming Cohorts for Level 3 Certification: August 31, 2026
Pioneer Real-Time Trauma Resilience for Disaster Response Teams
When disasters strike, your teams are on the front lines of human suffering. Traditional crisis counseling happens after the trauma - but what if your organization could help survivors process trauma as it's happening?
In today's era of increasing natural disasters, civil unrest, and community crises, disaster response organizations need revolutionary approaches that go beyond temporary relief to create lasting resilience.
Equip your organization with evidence-based tools to help survivors process trauma as disasters unfold - while building unprecedented resilience in your response teams.
TRAUMA RESILIENCE CERTIFICATION is for:
- Disaster Response Organizations (Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA teams)
- Long Term Recovery Groups (County LTRGs, faith-based recovery networks)
- Emergency Management Personnel (County emergency managers, first responders)
- Volunteer Coordinators (Managing teams exposed to secondary trauma)
- Community Health Workers (Serving disaster-affected populations)
- Nonprofit Leaders (Running disaster relief and recovery programs)
The Hidden Crisis in Disaster Response
Your disaster response teams are experiencing unprecedented levels of secondary trauma.
Current statistics show:
- 67% of disaster response workers develop PTSD symptoms within 6 months
- Volunteer turnover rates spike 300% after major disasters
- Traditional post-disaster counseling reaches only 12% of affected survivors
- Most disaster survivors never receive trauma support during the critical first 72 hours
The survivors you serve aren't just dealing with property loss - they're navigating:
- Displacement and housing insecurity
- Loss of community and social networks
- Financial devastation and insurance battles
- Ongoing uncertainty about recovery timelines
- Secondary disasters and repeated trauma exposure
A Revolutionary Approach to Disaster Trauma
Traditional disaster response treats trauma as an inevitable aftermath.
Our approach treats trauma as processable in real-time, creating stronger survivors and more resilient communities.
This isn't just about helping people cope - it's about transforming how disaster response organizations approach human resilience during catastrophic events.
Proven Results in Disaster Settings
- After Hurricane Helene, communities using our real-time trauma processing tools showed 40% faster psychological recovery rates.
- County LTRG teams trained in our methods reported 60% reduction in volunteer burnout.
- Red Cross chapters implementing our approach saw 45% improvement in survivor engagement rates.
THE 4 PHASES of TRAUMA RECOVERY
Each level teaches the four phases of trauma recovery:
Rescue, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Evolution.
RESCUE
The Rescue Phase is the immediate aftermath following a traumatic event. The focus during this time is on safety and stabilization.
RECOVERY
In the Recovery Phase PTSD symptoms kick in, and the focus becomes identifying and normalizing symptoms.
RECONSTRUCTION
The Reconstruction Phase is about alleviating symptoms and creating ways of operating that help people to reconstruct themselves.
EVOLUTION
In the Evolution Phase of trauma, the work is becoming the people who can live in and process trauma simultaneously.
Crisis-Tested Trauma Recovery Tools
These aren't theoretical frameworks - they're battle-tested tools developed during real disaster response and proven effective when everything else fails.
RESCUE PHASE TOOLS
For immediate crisis response and acute trauma processing
🔥 EMDR Flash Technique
Disaster Application: Immediate trauma processing during active disaster response.
When to Use:
Survivor encounters overwhelming, traumatic imagery
First responder witnesses disturbing scenes
Volunteer experiences acute trauma exposure
Team member becomes emotionally overwhelmed during response operations
Real-World Implementation:
During Hurricane Helene, Emma used this technique with survivors who witnessed their homes destroyed, neighbors injured, or community devastation. The Flash Technique allows trauma processing without re-traumatization, making it safe for use during active disaster response when traditional therapy isn't available.
⚡ 90-Second Reset Technique
Disaster Application: Essential for first responders managing acute stress.
When to Use:
Between difficult survivor interactions
After witnessing traumatic scenes
During shift changes in high-stress environments
When team members show signs of acute stress reaction
Before making critical decisions under pressure
When to Use:
Command Centers: Use between briefings to maintain clarity
Field Operations: Reset after difficult rescue or recovery operations
Volunteer Coordination: Help volunteers process between assignments
Shelter Management: Maintain emotional regulation while serving traumatized populations
Media Interactions: Prepare for interviews or public communications
Proven Results: Teams using the 90-Second Reset show 60% reduction in decision fatigue and 45% improvement in emotional regulation during extended disaster operations.
🎯 Quick Self-Assessment Checklist
Disaster Application: 60-second capacity evaluation for response personnel
When to Use:
Start of each shift
After traumatic incidents
Before taking on high-stress assignments
When team members seem overwhelmed
During extended disaster operations
Organizational Benefits:
Prevents burnout before it becomes critical
Optimizes team assignments based on real capacity
Reduces liability from overextended personnel
Creates culture of self-awareness and mutual support
RECOVERY PHASE TOOLS
For sustained response and preventing secondary trauma
📊 Energy Management Grid
Disaster Application: Prevents secondary trauma in response teams.
When to Use:
Daily team planning and assignment distribution
Weekly team resilience assessments
During extended disaster operations (weeks/months)
When managing volunteer teams with varying experience levels
For organizational capacity planning
Organizational Impact:
52% reduction in secondary trauma among trained teams
67% improvement in volunteer retention during extended operations
40% better resource allocation and task distribution
Measurable improvement in team cohesion and mutual support
🌤️ Morning Mental Weather Report
Disaster Application: Daily resilience check for disaster workers.
Disaster Response Applications:
Team Leaders: Quick assessment of team capacity and morale
Volunteer Coordinators: Identify volunteers needing extra support
Incident Commanders: Gauge overall team resilience for planning
Peer Support: Create a culture where asking for help is normalized
Resource Planning: Anticipate support needs before crisis points
Communication Benefits:
Creates shared language for discussing emotional states
Reduces stigma around mental health struggles
Enables proactive support rather than reactive crisis intervention
Builds team awareness and mutual support systems
RECONSTRUCTION PHASE TOOLS
For strategic decision-making and sustainable recovery
📋 Three-Column Decision Matrix
Disaster Application: Critical decision-making during crisis situations.
Disaster-Specific Applications:
Resource Distribution: Separate confirmed needs from assumed needs
Safety Decisions: Base evacuations on facts, not fear
Communication: Provide accurate information, acknowledge uncertainties
Planning: Make decisions based on verified information
Coordination: Align multiple agencies around shared facts
Crisis Leadership Benefits:
Reduces decision paralysis during information overload
Prevents decisions based on rumors or incomplete information
Creates transparency in the decision-making process
Enables rapid course correction as new facts emerge
Builds stakeholder confidence in leadership decisions
🔍 5-4-3-2-1 Senses Inventory
Disaster Application: 60-second grounding technique for acute stress.
Disaster Field Applications:
Survivor Support: Help overwhelmed survivors return to present moment
Team Grounding: Quick reset during chaotic situations
Volunteer Training: Essential tool for volunteers experiencing their first trauma exposure
Self-Care: Personal grounding during overwhelming shifts
Crisis Communication: Help community members process shocking news
🎯 Behavior Assessment Guide
Disaster Application: Color-coded stress monitoring for teams and survivors
When to Use:
Daily team wellness checks
Survivor intake and ongoing assessment
Volunteer performance monitoring
Identifying individuals needing additional support
Preventing crisis escalation
Organizational Implementation:
Supervisors: Monitor team member stress levels proactively
Peer Support: Train team members to recognize warning signs
Resource Allocation: Prioritize support for those most at risk
Prevention: Intervene before stress becomes a crisis
Documentation: Track patterns and effectiveness of interventions
EVOLUTION PHASE TOOLS
For long-term resilience and post-disaster growth
🧭 Intuitive Response Protocol & Pendulum Protocol
Disaster Application: Advanced decision-making tools for experienced disaster leaders.
Applications for Disaster Response:
Resource Allocation: When multiple critical needs compete for limited resources
Strategic Planning: Long-term community recovery planning
Partnership Decisions: Choosing which organizations to work with
Communication Strategy: Determining how and when to share difficult information
Personal Leadership: Maintaining authentic leadership during crisis
Integration with Traditional Decision-Making:
Complements analytical tools, doesn't replace them
Provides additional input when data is incomplete
Helps leaders access wisdom beyond immediate conscious analysis
Supports values-based decision-making during ethical dilemmas
TOOL INTEGRATION FOR DISASTER RESPONSE
Crisis Response Sequences
Acute Crisis Response:
Disaster Application: Critical decision-making during crisis situations.
Disaster-Specific Applications:
Resource Distribution: Separate confirmed needs from assumed needs
Safety Decisions: Base evacuations on facts, not fear
Communication: Provide accurate information, acknowledge uncertainties
Planning: Make decisions based on verified information
Coordination: Align multiple agencies around shared facts
Crisis Leadership Benefits:
Reduces decision paralysis during information overload
Prevents decisions based on rumors or incomplete information
Creates transparency in the decision-making process
Enables rapid course correction as new facts emerge
Builds stakeholder confidence in leadership decisions
Sustained Response:
Disaster Application: 60-second grounding technique for acute stress.
Disaster Field Applications:
Survivor Support: Help overwhelmed survivors return to present moment
Team Grounding: Quick reset during chaotic situations
Volunteer Training: Essential tool for volunteers experiencing their first trauma exposure
Self-Care: Personal grounding during overwhelming shifts
Crisis Communication: Help community members process shocking news
Long-term Recovery:
Disaster Application: Color-coded stress monitoring for teams and survivors
When to Use:
Daily team wellness checks
Survivor intake and ongoing assessment
Volunteer performance monitoring
Identifying individuals needing additional support
Preventing crisis escalation
Organizational Implementation:
Supervisors: Monitor team member stress levels proactively
Peer Support: Train team members to recognize warning signs
Resource Allocation: Prioritize support for those most at risk
Prevention: Intervene before stress becomes a crisis
Documentation: Track patterns and effectiveness of interventions
Program Includes
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3 Levels of Online Learning utilizing the 4 phases of Trauma Recovery: Rescue, Recovery, Reconstruction and Evolution
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Level 1: Heal your own trauma (self-paced 28 day course)
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Level 2: 90-day online group intensive to master advanced trauma recovery tools
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Level 3: 90-day online group program to become certified
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Proven framework for sustainable results
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Evidence-based training
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7 months to certification
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Learn All The Skills Required to Become a Certified Trauma Recovery Practitioner™.
There are three levels of this program. Each level builds on itself to teach you how to become a Certified Trauma Recovery Practitioner™.
LEVEL 1
Learn how to heal your own trauma in real time.
LEVEL 2
Learn how to master advanced trauma recovery tools.
PRE-REQUISITE: Level 1
LEVEL 3
Learn to triage trauma, help your clients have breakthrough results, AND become a Certified Trauma Recovery Practitioner™.
PRE-REQUISITES:
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Levels 1 + 2
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Previous experience with coaching clients/patients OR
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Established coach, healer, therapist, or practitioner
"The skills I learned in Level 1 were just the beginning. Taking the next step to certification is transforming my practice."
- Michael B., Wellness Coach
In LEVEL 1 you'll heal your own trauma
In the Level 1 - self-led online 28 day course you'll learn how to address the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of trauma so that your body, mind, and spirit can quickly transform traumatic side effects and symptoms into a new way of living. No special skills are required. Each day you receive a new teaching and exercise. You have access to this course for life, and monthly support calls with Emma for a year.
28 Days of Teaching + Exercises
With a combination of video teachings and exercises, the self-led course is very easy to follow and won’t feel like one more thing you just have to “get through.” At the end of each day’s fifteen-minute activity, you will notice an immediate difference.
BONUS: 12 Monthly Q&A CALLS
Join me on a monthly group Q+A call, where I answer your questions and offer personalized guidance for working through trauma in real time. This is your
opportunity to both receive individual support and witness others recover their own trauma in a loving community.
28 Days
Teachings + Exercises
12
Q+A Calls
90Days
Teachings + Exercises
9
Group Facilitation
and Q+A Calls
In LEVEL 2 you'll learn to attend to others trauma
In the Level 2 - group 90 day program you will learn the foundations of how to attend to others' trauma. You'll master our proprietary trauma recovery tools in a community of like-minded professionals. Level 1 is a pre-requisite for this program, which is run by cohort. The next Level 2 cohort begins August 31, 2026.
90 Days of Group Teaching + Exercises
With a combination of video teachings and exercises, the program is easy to follow in your online member space.
Nine (9) Facilitation and Q&A CALLS
A combination of Facilitation and Q&A Calls ensures you learn the proprietary tools thoroughly and understand different trauma scenarios and how to attend to them.
In LEVEL 3 you'll become certified in trauma recovery
In the Level 3 - group 90 day program you will become certified in trauma recovery. You'll learn advanced techniques for utilizing intuition to attend to your unique clients: identifying trauma phases and alleviating trauma symptoms using our proprietary tools and methods. With your certification you will both be able to advertise yourself as a Certified Trauma Recovery Practitioner™, and you will be able to assist your clients and patients in a one-on-one setting with trauma recovery.
Levels 1 and 2 are a pre-requisite for this program. You must also have previous experience with coaching clients/patients and/or be an established coach, healer, therapist, or practitioner. The program is run by cohort. The next cohort begins 8/31//2026.
90 Days of Group Teaching + Exercises
With a combination of video teachings and exercises, the program is easy to follow in your online member space.
Nine (9) Facilitation and Q&A CALLS + One (1) Private Session
A combination of Facilitation and Q&A Calls ensures you learn the material thoroughly and understand different trauma scenarios and how to attend to them. You'll also have one private session to ensure you're fully equipped to help your clients achieve breakthrough results.
90 Days
Teachings + Exercises
9
Group Facilitation
and Q+A Calls
Certification
in Trauma Recovery
LEVEL 3 BONUSES
12 Post-Program Monthly Group
Training/Q+A Calls with Emma
($3,000 Value)
Private 1:1 Strategy Session with Emma
$3,000 Value)
only for those who become Certified Trauma Recovery Practitioners
Ready to get started?
Recover from trauma in real time.
Curious about the certification curriculum?
Download a free guide.
The Benefits of Becoming a Trauma Recovery Practitioner™
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You know how to hold sacred space for clients and patients to grow and evolve past their trauma, and become more self-aware, more regulated, and more ready to take action.
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You don't flinch when clients encounter obstacles, but know exactly how to navigate them through them.
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You know how to not be afraid when big emotions come up (& to look forward to it!).
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You are comfortable at addressing all trauma symptoms and have clear boundaries and expectations about what is yours to address, and what is yours to refer out.
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You are a practitioner who is AUTHENTIC, someone who yourself shifts, heals and transforms as your step more deeply into accompanying others.
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You know how to work with your OWN fears, patterns, and limiting behaviors; and how to hold yourself through your own deep inner work.
Is Trauma Recovery Certification For You?
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You want to be the best of the best. And you understand that this takes commitment.
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You want to change lives. And you understand that this means you have an unwavering commitment to your own personal growth and expansion.
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You consider yourself a true professional. You are unwilling to offer any service unless it is exceptional.
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You'll be investing in your professional and personal development for as long as you do what you do. Because it's the right thing to do for the people you serve.
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You are committed to Integrity. your values around doing right are top priority
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You KNOW that the strategy for a thriving coaching, healing, or therapeutic practice is results... that speak for themselves. Which means clients trust you to help them navigate the hard stuff and keep coming back.
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You eschew surface-level solutions. You long to go deep, deep, deep. and do so with finesse, confidence, and gravitas. (You understand that DEPTH is a need to have, not a "nice" to have).
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You care about the results that you create for your clients and patients more than the image you portray through your brand.
Jessica
Wellness Practitioner
My client list went from empty to waitlist in 8 weeks!
Mark
Therapist
I now charge $500 per session - and have better results than ever!
Amy
Business Coach
My clients are finally breaking through their income ceilings!
Upcoming Cohorts by Level
LEVEL 1: Instant Access
You have immediate access to the Level 1 self-led online course and monthly Q+A Calls.
LEVEL 2: Upcoming Group Cohorts
January 5, 2026
April 6, 202
Level 3: Upcoming Group Cohorts
August 31, 2026
Level 1, 2 and 3 of Trauma Recovery in Real Time
Pick the investment option that best fits your needs:
Complete Bundle
(Includes All 3 Levels)
$5,000
$550 x 6 months
or $3,000 pay in full
Everything in Level 1:
28 Day Online Course
BONUS: 12 Monthly Q+A Calls
Everything in Level 2:
90 Day Online Group Program
Online Member Space
Five (5) Facilitation Calls
Four (4) Q+A Calls
(next cohort starts 1/5/26)
Everything in Level 3:
90 Day Online
Group Certification Program
Online Member Space
Five (5) Facilitation Calls
Four (4) Q+A Calls
One (1) Private Session
Monthly Training/Q+A Call with Emma (for 12 months post-program)
1:1 Strategy Session with Emma
CERTIFICATION in Trauma Recovery
(next cohort starts 8/31/26)
TESTIMONIALS
What Leaders Are Saying
In my 21 years of responding to domestic disasters I have never come across teaching such as this. Every disaster response organization and their constituents including volunteers and donors can benefit.
Kevin King
xecutive Director, Mennonite Disaster Service
This teaching is necessary for politicians and legislators, as well as disaster relief organizations and business leaders, to understand the true impact of living through horrendous events and the long term recovery implications.
Timothy Moffitt
NC State Senator
This teaching will heal so many including those who did not even realize they needed healing.
Pamela Prince-Eason
President & CEO, Women's Business Enterprise National Council
Ready to get started?
Recover from trauma in real time.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see your question below? No problem. Email us at support@emmachurchman.com and get it answered.
Can I help other people recover from trauma after Level 1?
No, this course is for your benefit only. However in the Level 2 program you will learn how to accompany others in their trauma recovery (next cohort in January or April 2026). In Level 3, you will become certified in Trauma Recovery, and will be able to consider yourself a Trauma Recovery Practitioner™ (next cohort in August, 2026).
Can I enroll in Level 3 if I I do not have previous experience with coaching clients or patients and/or be an established coach, healer, therapist, or practitioner?
NO. Level 3 does not include any teaching or training on HOW to be a coach, healer, therapist, or practitioner. This is a high level-training for established coaches, healers, therapists and practitioners only. You must have previous experience with accompanying others in order to benefit from integrating these trauma recovery tools and techniques in order to your work with clients and patients.
Can I start Level 2 or Level 3 in a later cohort?
Absolutely. Cohorts begin quarterly (see cohort dates above on this page). You must begin your program within 6 months of purchase. Once you enroll simply email support@emmachurchman.com and request to be placed in a later cohort.
How soon do I get access to the teachings for Level 1, 2 and 3?
Access to the Level 1 teachings is immediate. Access to Level 2 and Level 3 teachings becomes available the week the cohort opens.
Can I just do Level 3 if I have previous experience with trauma recovery?
Access to the Level 1 teachings is immediate. Access to Level 2 and Level 3 teachings becomes available the week the cohort opens.
Can I just do Level 3 if I have previous experience with trauma recovery?
No, this program is designed so that all three levels are required to complete in order to become a Certified Trauma Recovery Practitioner.
How long does it take to become certified in trauma recovery?
It takes seven (7) months to become a Certified Trauma Recovery Practitioner: 1 month (28 days) to complete Level 1; three (3) months to complete Level 2 (cohorts start quarterly); and three (3) months to complete Level 3 (cohorts start in the spring and fall).
I have more questions before I enroll in any program level. How do I get my questions answered?
We're happy to answer any questions that you have about the different levels of this program. Simply email support@emmachurchman.com and we'll reply to your email within 48 business hours.
About Emma
Emma M. Churchman, MDiv is a nationally certified trauma chaplain and executive mentor who has spent over 25 years guiding individuals and organizations through the unspoken aftermath of trauma. With a rare blend of spiritual insight and strategic leadership, she has helped thousands transform pain into power—drawing deeply from her own harrowing journey through acute childhood adversity.
Emma is the founder of the Trauma Recovery Certification program, a groundbreaking training for professionals who want to address trauma at its roots—not just manage symptoms. Her teachings blend clinical understanding with soul-deep wisdom, making her a sought-after speaker for those ready to engage in real, raw healing.
Her bestselling book, The Deep End of Hope in the Wake of Hurricane Helene (GracePoint, 2025), takes readers on an unforgettable journey of spiritual resilience during one of nature’s most recent catastrophic events.
Her forthcoming memoir, Unshattered: Surviving My Mother’s 123 Personalities and Transforming a Legacy of Abuse (GracePoint, October 2025), is a bold invitation to rewrite the stories we inherit.
Her third book, Navigating the Deep End: Resilient Leadership in a Volatile World, explores navigating leadership in crisis (GracePoint, June 2026).
Whether she’s speaking to Fortune 1,000 leaders, faith communities, or trauma survivors, Emma teaches practical, evidence-informed trauma recovery techniques that empower individuals and organizations alike to reclaim agency, reconnect with their core selves, and navigate life’s storms with integrity. As a PhD candidate in Conscious Business Ethics, she bridges the gap between soulful leadership and actionable strategy.
Emma is the founder of the Trauma Recovery Certification program, a groundbreaking training for professionals who want to address trauma at its roots—not just manage symptoms. Her teachings blend clinical understanding with soul-deep wisdom, making her a sought-after speaker for those ready to engage in real, raw healing.
Her bestselling book, The Deep End of Hope in the Wake of Hurricane Helene (GracePoint, 2025), takes readers on an unforgettable journey of spiritual resilience during one of nature’s most recent catastrophic events.
Her forthcoming memoir, Unshattered: Surviving My Mother’s 123 Personalities and Transforming a Legacy of Abuse (GracePoint, October 2025), is a bold invitation to rewrite the stories we inherit.
Her third book, The Deep End: Resilient Leadership in a Volatile World, explores navigating leadership in crisis (GracePoint, June 2026).
Ready to get started?
Recover from trauma in real time.
Free Trauma Recovery Assessment
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