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On-Demand

Trauma Basics

Dr. Pete Vernig, PhD, MBA, ABPP
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Information

Recorded

  • -

Description

Trauma Basics is a continuing education course for addiction and behavioral health professionals that explores the relationship between trauma, PTSD, and substance use disorders. The course covers the prevalence and types of trauma, neurobiological and behavioral impacts, and common clinical presentations. Participants learn evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment approaches—including present- and past-oriented therapies—and practical strategies to reduce stigma, improve engagement, and provide safe, effective, patient-centered care for individuals with trauma histories and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to equip addiction and behavioral health professionals with a foundational, trauma-informed understanding of how traumatic stress and substance use disorders intersect, strengthening their ability to recognize trauma-related presentations and neurobiological impacts in clinical practice. Participants will leave better prepared to apply evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches that improve clinical judgment, treatment planning, and patient engagement when working with individuals with co-occurring trauma and substance use.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Define traumatic stress and Substance Use Disorder

  • Recognize the effects of substance use and trauma on brain functioning

  • Describe the different types of traumas and the components of trauma-informed care

  • Identify at least three effective treatments for people with traumatic exposure and substance use

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Dr. Pete Vernig, PhD, MBA, ABPP
Pete Vernig is a licensed, board-certified psychologist and senior behavioral healthcare executive. As Vice President of Mental Health Services at Recovery Centers of America, he leads clinical strategy, program development, and enterprise implementation for a large, multistate network of inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities. Dr. Vernig works with site and enterprise leaders to standardize care, strengthen quality, and translate organizational priorities into practice. His enterprise-wide initiatives include the organization’s suicide prevention plan, measurement-based care program, mental health strategy, and clinical care model. He is board-certified in Serious Mental Illness Psychology and is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality. Dr. Vernig has also published on behavioral health and healthcare management and delivered invited presentations and expert commentary for professional, media, and public audiences.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Recovery Centers of America