Interactive online courses are another way to learn what I teach to live audiences and in my writings and videos. People have different learning styles, and you may find this a good match for you.
These self-paced modules explain, in very accessible ways, how stress and trauma can alter brain functioning during sexual assaults and other traumatic experiences. They explain the key brain circuitries involved, including the prefrontal cortex and the defense and habit circuitries. They provide a foundation for understanding brain-based experiences and behaviors that have important implications for supporting and working with victims of sexual assault and other violence.
Learning outcomes: (1) The ability to define key brain circuitries impacted by severe stress in the midst of traumatic experiences, from sexual assault to military combat. (2) The ability to name and explain common brain-based subjective, cognitive and behavioral responses to sexual and other assaults, which can bring understanding and effectiveness to anyone who knows or works victims/survivors, including in law enforcement, clinical and other settings.
These modules were created with Articulate Rise software, which provides lots of engaging ways to receive and interact with content, including various layouts and combinations of text, images, audio and video.
A few notes: The first course offered here has three parts and doesn’t yet include a lesson on memory. It’s geared to investigators but accessible to everyone, and I’m working on versions tailored for other professionals and people who have been assaulted. I hope to offer continuing education credits in the future.
Some tips: These courses look best on a tablet or larger screen, but work on phones too. On larger screens, you can change font sizes in your browser (here’s how in Chrome and MS Edge). To leave and retain your progress upon returning, and avoid having to start over, keep the browser window open.
Finally, a caution: Some course content will be triggering for some people; please take care of yourself.