Certification Program

Why TCTSY?

Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is the original yoga for trauma.

It is a scientifically validated clinical intervention for complex, developmental trauma or chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD. In a recent study, TCTSY was found to be as effective as “talk therapy” in improving PTSD symptoms for veterans.

TCTSY is a program of the Center for Trauma and Embodiment. With foundations in both Trauma Theory and Hatha Yoga, and an emphasis on body-based yoga forms, TCTSY is the first and foremost trauma sensitive yoga training, with 20 years of original research and evolution.

In 2023, more than 30 thousand people around the world experienced the benefits of TCTSY by working with a certified facilitator.

The Certification Program is supervised by a team of world-class mentors with years of experience in the field of trauma, facilitating TCTSY, and working with vulnerable populations.

Complex or Developmental Trauma has such a deep impact on the entire organism that there is a strong consensus among professionals that treatment approaches need to reach beyond talk-based or cognitive therapies. Research has shown the experience of Complex and Developmental Trauma impacts one’s sense of self and one’s sense of place and purpose in the world. There are also measurable impacts on the body, brain, endocrine system and cellular biology.

Empirical research indicates TCTSY to be an effective treatment for the most severe forms of trauma.

Training Prerequisites

All applicants must have completed a TCTSY Foundational Training with one of our licensed global trainers, regardless of background experience with trauma or other yoga trainings.

Applications may be submitted prior to completion of the noted training — however they will be held for review until prior training is complete.

Please review our Foundational Trainings page for upcoming trainings that you might have time to take to qualify for application to this program.

Program Format & Structure

With the close support of a mentor, participants will gain the insight and understanding required to build, cultivate, and sustain a TCTSY program in any setting of their choice. Graduates of the program will be the gold standard for Trauma Sensitive Yoga facilitation in their community. We have created this program to be 100% web-based to increase accessibility to participants in any geographical location.

Educational Objectives

• Participants will gain a thorough understanding of Complex and Developmental Trauma and PTSD throughout the life cycle.

• Participants will learn, through mentorship and in-depth individual exploration, why, how, and when to use TCTSY as an adjunctive treatment for Complex and Developmental Trauma and PTSD.

• Participants will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to facilitate TCTSY sessions (with individuals or small groups) as an adjunctive treatment for complex trauma and PTSD in their community of choice.

Program Structure & Schedule

The TCTSY Certification Program begins early September and concludes at the end of March; approximately 28 weeks, with a break mid-December to early January.

• TCTSY is based on the importance of safe and supportive relationships. During this certification program, you will be paired with one to three other students to get peer-to-peer support and learning. Interdisciplinary partnerships allow for an expansion of knowledge across disciplines. 

• Student peer groups will be assigned a program mentor. You will meet with your group for one hour each week and your mentor will join your meeting for approximately 20 minutes every other week. 

• Readings and multi-media content on relevant topics (trauma and yoga) and short bi-weekly writing assignments predominate from September through December. The program shifts to a practicum focus from January through March.

• A special project is required and is due by mid-March (topic TBD by student and their mentor)

• Weekly 60 to 75-minute recorded seminars support the readings and continued learning throughout the program.

• Live weekly TCTSY practices plus topical discussions facilitated by program mentors on Saturdays at 12PM EST and 6PM EST. You are required to attend one of these weekly meetings live, or to view the recording of the meeting when it becomes available.

• Beginning in January, students record (8) 10-minute TCTSY facilitation videos and share them with their mentor as the basis for continued learning. Videos are of students facilitating alone via their device or with a friend or family member, strictly as practice.

• Each participant will receive three hours of individual mentorship.

• The program concludes at the end of March.

Weekly Schedule

There is not, generally, a set schedule each week. Almost all of the course content is reviewed on your own time, including the recorded seminars, readings, etc. ​Participants can estimate a commitment of 12 hours per week for this certification program. The required time may vary based on content and individual learning style.

Here is an example weekly schedule, in Eastern Time:

MODULE TWO
Friday — Content for the module becomes available. // Wrap up current module.
Sunday-Friday — Review module content. // Peer group and mentor meetings, determined based on your shared schedules.
Friday — Assignments for the previous module are due; bi-weekly. // Content for the next module becomes available.
Saturday — Weekend Practice & Discussion Zoom meetings at 12pm and 6pm; these are recorded.

Language

While we can provide video captions in multiple languages, you must have proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English for participation in the North American, European, and Australasian training cohorts.

That said, we do have mentors who can support Spanish, German, Dutch, Italian, and Danish language speakers. Please indicate in your application if you prefer one of these languages in addition to English.

For candidates living in Latin America or for whom Spanish is their primary language, you are also welcome to apply to the concurrent Spanish-language program.

Frequently Asked Questions