Course Overview

This course was created and provided by the Virtual Center of Excellence (VCE), a former project of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN). Content and format will be updated in the near future to address current accessibility standards. If you are unable to access the content in this section, please contact the imp support team for assistance.

This course will increase understanding of intergenerational trauma and the transmission of it through individuals, families, and cultures.

  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Credit Hours: MCBAP-R (1.5), MCBAP-S (0.0), Mi-CEC (0.0), Nursing (0.0)

Topics Covered

Defining Intergenerational Trauma

Participants of this course will develop a working understanding of Intergenerational Trauma as it relates to trauma-informed care and providing treatment to clients. This course will provide examples and best practices for communicating what this type of trauma is to patients across ages and communities. 

Trauma and Communities

This course will provide evidence-based research regarding how trauma can be passed through generations and communities. For example, current descendants of Holocaust victims may still be exposed to that intergenerational trauma and can create treatment barriers. 

Intergenerational Trauma 

It is important for behavioral health professionals to understand that clients may be facing external factors, in regards to trauma, that may not appear to be related to their current treatment. This course provides insight into why intergenerational trauma may affect the environment and treatment of a client or cohort of clients facing these external factors. 

Additional Considerations

Substance use disorders in the American Indian communities have been linked to the response of intergenerational trauma and the factors of long-term distress.


Course Objectives

  • Devlop an understanding of intergenerational trauma.
  • Understand how that trauma can affect a large group of people and be passed down through time.
  • Understand how that can effect your client who is part of the cohort and how that can, in turn, affect the treatment environment.

What People Are Saying

The module was very informative. It was easy to navigate and thorough in its presentation of the information.

- Brooke C.