Proposed revisions to the Guidelines on Trauma Competencies for Education and Training

The APA Board of Educational Affairs (BEA), in consultation with the developers of these guidelines, seeks member and public comment on the proposed revisions to the Guidelines on Trauma Competencies for Education and Training (APA, 2015).

The guidelines, featuring a comprehensive model of trauma-focused empirically informed competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes), were approved by the Council of Representatives in 2015 as part of APA’s education and training policy. In accordance with Association policy (Rule 30.8), guidelines are subject to revision and renewal every ten years.

Education and training competencies such as these Guidelines serve as aspirational goals for psychologists and are meant to guide training programs' curriculum development and psychologists' self-monitoring.

The document is available for a sixty (60) day period of public review and comment. Deadline: Friday, May 31, 2024.




Proposed Guidelines on Key Considerations for Working with Adults with PTSD and Traumatic Stress Disorders

The Working Group on PTSD/Trauma Guidelines (WG-PTSD/Trauma), in consultation with the Board of Professional Affairs (BPA) and Committee on Professional Practice and Standards (COPPS), seek member and public comments on the Proposed Guidelines on Key Considerations for Working with Adults with PTSD and Traumatic Stress Disorders.

The Guidelines' purpose is to provide psychologists with a scientifically supported framework for working with adults with trauma-related disorders. These guidelines consider how trauma, and its aftereffects, are compounded by other stressful factors and life events, including inequities related to race, ethnicity, gender, age, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, immigration, and disability. Consideration of such cultural and intersectional factors may add to treatment complexity (Bryant-Davis, 2019). As such, these guidelines address considerations and approaches that may include, but extend beyond, symptoms/diagnosis to understand and enhance adaptive biopsychosocial functioning, resilience, and quality of life. While these guidelines were created to inform psychologists without specialized education and training in trauma, they also may be of interest to those with specialized training. They address both forensic and clinical practice, including assessment of traumatic stress disorders and interventions. The guidelines also inform psychologists of the knowledge base and scientific support for trauma practice, as well as relevant professional education and training in this area. In addition, the guidelines discuss population health issues that may either exacerbate trauma (e.g., racial disparities, immigration and refugee status, gender inequality) or mitigate the psychological impact of trauma where protective environmental factors exist (e.g., social support). The last section of the guidelines highlights the importance of attaining and maintaining competence in factors relevant to equity, diversity, inclusion, and trauma.

The intended users of these guidelines include, but are not limited to, psychologists, other health and mental health professionals, consumers, families of consumers, students, educators and training programs, supervisors and trainers, policy makers, and members of the public. Those working with military service-members, veterans, and their families may find these guidelines of interest, and those working with vulnerable communities or in high-risk environments, including law enforcement and public safety, among others. APA presenters, conferees, divisions, state associations, professional networks, and researchers also may find these guidelines of interest.

The Working Group seeks comments on 1) importance, relevance, and adequacy of the proposed guidelines, 2) suggestions for additional content to address critical topics not covered in the guidelines; and 3) expressions of support and/or approval of the proposed guidelines. The Working Groups welcomes comments on

• Overall importance/relevance of the Guidelines.
• Terminology and concepts used in the document.
• Citations and references used in the document.
• How the guidelines inform practice or address specific issues.
• Insights or examples from practice that find support in the Guidelines.
• Gaps or opportunities that may need to be addressed in this update.
• Special issues, hot topics, or trends that need to be addressed in this revision.

The Working Group invites APA governance groups, specifically, among others, to offer support and approval where appropriate, and appreciates these actions and feedback.  (See General Comments that may accommodate these actions or comments.)

When a new guideline section or topic is proposed, we ask you to include suggested wording. Where modifications are proposed, we ask that you reference the relevant section, title, or line number. All comments will be shared with the developers for further review and consideration. 

Thank you for your actions and feedback. The deadline for submitting comments is June 16, 2024.