Mental Health, Trauma and Attachment PGCert

University of Chester

There are many different behaviours that challenge us, not just as professionals in the field, but as people. You might, for example, have witnessed verbal abuse, disengagement, or someone lashing out. Our Mental Health, Trauma and Attachment course (previously named 'Attachment, Trauma and Mental Health PGCert' ) looks at the root causes behind the behaviours that we see. It outlines theory, investigates causality, and looks at trauma, attachment, and mental health in scrutinous detail. It asks the question “what really sits behind the actions of this individual,” and it teaches us how – as professionals – we can support the people who are affected. It's a course designed for those who have not only wondered “Why?” but have found themselves asking “How could I help?”. Sitting within Chester's School of Education, the course investigates the impact of adversity, trauma, attachment and mental health difficulties and will not only highlight your role in mitigating this impact but will also equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver support across all of the children, young people, and adult sectors. It is delivered by experienced Childhood, Education and Professional Development (CEPD) academics who have a range of education backgrounds, and who are still firmly embedded within this rapidly evolving field. All three of your modules will utilise theory to support your critical understanding of key research and current debates within society, and you will have regular opportunities to reflect on your own professional practice and experiences. You will explore the role attachment has in developing a child's inner working model of themselves and how this influences their view of the world (including the relationships they have with others across their lifespan). You will discuss how traumatic experiences can affect brain development and consider how this may impact a person’s ability to learn. You will investigate how mental health and behaviour are impacted by attachment difficulties and traumatic experiences. And you will discover attachment-aware, trauma-informed practices, learning how they can be used to nurture positive relationships and safe, inclusive environments. Across all three modules you will consider how these practices enable the development of resiliency skills, to maximise the potential for positive outcomes.