Somatic Developmental Trauma Therapy™ Certificate

Heal at the roots. Restore what was missing. Transform trauma through the body.

Somatics and psychedelics, together, are one of the most powerful forces for healing trauma — yielding through the protective mechanisms that keep us from true liberation. In this 50-hour online certificate, you'll learn to integrate trauma-informed somatic skills with psychedelic facilitation across preparation, session, and integration. Taught by world-leading experts, it's your first step toward a lifelong practice in the art and science of transformation.

Somatic Developmental Trauma Therapy™ Certificate

Overview

Program at a Glance

The Somatic Developmental Trauma Therapy Certificate provides a practical, body-based framework for recognizing and repairing developmental trauma in adults—bridging neuroscience, somatic psychology, and experiential practices that rewire traumatic imprints in the nervous system.

The power of this program lies in moving beyond story and basic attachment theory into the realm of body memory, reflexes, and relational imprints—teaching you how to track and repair what was missing across the earliest stages of life. In this program, we work our way down to the body’s earliest imprints, then back up into integration—restoring the foundations that make healing safe, embodied, and lasting.

You’ll gain the tools, presence, and confidence to work with developmental trauma in a way that is safe, integrative, and deeply transformative.

Meet Your Lead Faculty

Learn from World-Leading Voices in Trauma Treatment

Internationally recognized leaders bring to life a holistic and unified curriculum.

Arielle Schwartz (Dr.)

Scott Lyons (Dr.)

Kai Cheng Thom

Manuela Mischke-Reeds

Mariah Rooney

Curriculum

01 The Pre-Perinatal Continuum Foundations of Embodiment

Foundations of Embodiment:
This opening module explores the prenatal and perinatal imprints that shape safety, trust, and belonging from our earliest moments of life. You’ll learn how developmental disruptions and trauma at this stage can embed in the body as patterns of tension, mistrust, dissociation, or primordial freeze—and how to restore the missing experiences that make existence itself feel safe.

Developmental Needs:
Safety in the womb · Physiological support through maternal regulation · A protected entry into life where existence itself feels safe

Disruptions & Trauma Patterns:
- Primordial freeze and prenatal stress
- Birth trauma and early medical interventions
- Somatic imprints of dissociation, tension, and mistrust

You’ll learn to:
- Apply somatic practices that restore primal rhythms, regulate the nervous system, and repattern early imprints
- Recognize and work with presentations such as primordial freeze, dissociation, and disrupted attachment
Track bottom-up cues of prenatal/perinatal trauma and pace sessions to prevent overwhelm
- Use experiential tools—from somatic synchrony practices to guided birth narratives - to support repatterning and deep integration

02 Security and Dependence Stage

Attachment, Safety, and Repairing Missing Relational Experiences

This module explores how early attachment, caregiving, systemic and environmental experiences lay the groundwork for safety, connection, and the developing sense of self. When these needs go unmet, infants can form imprints of unworthiness, mistrust, or disconnection from their core rhythms.. In early stages of development, fragmentation from relational wounds can emerge as parts of self that are uncoordinated. Left unresolved, these early splits can echo into adolescence and adulthood, shaping relational struggles and inner conflict. You’ll learn how to recognize these early signs and apply somatic practices that not only rebuild safety and connection but also repair the relational scaffolding that supports trust, exploration, and emotional regulation throughout life.

Developmental Needs:
- Safety & security · Connection · Validation & empathy · Exploration · Agency · Emotional regulation

Disruptions & Trauma Patterns:
- Interruptions in bonding or continuity of care
- Medical challenges or unmet developmental needs
- Violating, abusive, rigid or inconsistent caregiving
- Developmental imprints of mistrust, unworthiness, or loss of place

You’ll learn to:
- Apply memory reconsolidation practices to re-pattern preverbal body memories
- Repair missing relational experiences through guided somatic and relational practices
- Work with fragmented parts and the grief system to restore wholeness
- Use play-based co-regulation to support safety, joy, and spontaneity
- Track preverbal cues and pace sessions to prevent overwhelm, supporting developmental sequencing and integration

03 Independence in Relationship Stage

Autonomy, Boundaries, and the Embodied Self

This module focuses on the crucial stage where autonomy, boundaries, and authentic selfhood take shape. Here, children begin to experiment with saying “no,” explore their preferences, and assert independence while still needing the safety of connection. When these needs are shamed, overprotected, or prematurely forced, the imprints can echo into adulthood as patterns of fawning, rebellion, avoidance, collapse, or flight. You’ll learn to recognize these somatic signatures and guide clients in reclaiming their right to boundaries, authentic choice, and self-expression—restoring the capacity to stand in one’s truth while staying in relationship.

Developmental Needs:
- Exploration & self-assertion · Autonomy with connection · Embodied “No” · Creative exploration
- Disruptions & Trauma Patterns:
- Shaming of needs or punitive responses to boundaries
- Chronic power struggles, conditional love, neglect, or abuse
- Overprotection (blocked autonomy) or premature independence

You’ll learn to:
- Work with somatic patterns of fawning, defiance, avoidance, indecision, freeze, and flight
- Support authentic self-expression through play, creativity, and movement
- Track micro-movements of autonomy and embodied boundary-setting
- Guide transitions from co-regulation to self-regulation
- Navigate therapeutic ruptures and power struggles without overriding client agency

What You'll Learn

Skills you'll carry into your practice

By the end of this certificate, you’ll be able to:

Identify somatic markers of developmental trauma across prenatal, perinatal, infancy, and early childhood stages.
Apply embodied interventions to repair what was missing : safety, belonging, connection, boundaries, attunement, and early autonomy.
Track and repattern primitive reflexes, breath patterns, and movement imprints and how they show up in your client.
Use your own embodied presence and relational field as a primary tool of repair.
Work confidently with preverbal trauma in adult clients through developmentally informed movement, safe touch, and relational practices.
Understand intergenerational and systemic influences on development, and how they show up somatically.

Self-Paced & On-Demand

This certificate program is fully on-demand. All seven modules are available immediately upon enrollment, allowing you to move through the curriculum at your own pace.

Lifetime Access

Once enrolled, you have lifetime access to all course recordings, supporting materials, and downloadable resources — return as often as needed throughout your clinical practice.

Completion Timeframe

Most participants complete the 60-hour curriculum over 3–6 months, though there is no required pace. The program is designed to be integrated alongside an active clinical practice.

Zoom:

The live portion will be offered using Zoom in meeting format, allowing instructors and students to interact and participate in breakout sessions.

Online Learning Platform:

Detailed schedule and reminder emails
How to access via Zoom
All recordings available within 48 hours
Supporting materials including PDFs

Accessibility:

Download video or audio to your computer
Lifetime access to the content
Live captioning and transcripts in English

Below are the requirements to receive the Certificate of Completion:
• Watch all the on-demand recordings.
• Complete the Self Evaluation & Reflection
• Submit full payment.

CE Credits:

HOMEWORK
There are no homework assignments during the program.

ACCESSIBILITY
VIDEO / AUDIO: Within the online learning platform, students may watch the video within their online library or download the video or audio to their computer. They will have lifetime access to the content.
LIVE CAPTIONING / TRANSCRIPTS: Captioning was only available during the live sessions. Transcripts are offered in English.
READING LISTS: Each instructor will provide required or recommended readings.
• Required readings will be available freely online or in PDF format.
• Recommended readings are optional and for futher exploration. They may include books, online articles etc.
• PDFs of the instructor’s presentation will also be provided.

Secure your spot in this certificate program. Payment plans and member pricing available at checkout.

Enroll Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions, answered

Who is this program designed for?

This program is a certification process that distills an educational methodology to integrate into a variety of modalities such as: Social Workers, Mental Health & Pastoral Counselors, Yoga Therapists / Yoga Teachers, Movement Therapists, Coaches, Physicians (MD, DO, ND, DC & others) & Physician Assistants, Nurses & Nurse Practitioners, Psychologists, Emergency Medical Personnel, Meditation Teachers, Educators, Massage Therapists, Acupuncturists & Body Workers, Hypnotherapists, Kinesiologists, Complementary & Alternative Medicine Professionals, Clergy & Religious Leaders, other Wellness Professionals. This is an education program and not a licenser program.

What are the dates, schedule and time commitment?

This 45-hour on-demand certificate program includes 3 Modules, all available to watch online and on-demand at your own pace. All sessions can be completed via your online Content Library which you will gain access to upon registration. You will also receive access to an Online Community Forum.

Will there be an orientation session?

No, there will not be an orientation session.

Do I need to attend live or am I able to watch recordings?

All live sessions have been recorded so students may watch in their own time (more information below). Please note, captioning was only available during the live sessions.

How can I interact with others? Will I receive guidance?

A private online community forum is also provided for the certificate.

Do you offer scholarships?

There are no scholarships offered for the on-demand program.

What are the homework requirements?

There are no homework assignments for this program.

Is there a deadline for registration?

No, there isn't a deadline for registration.

Do you offer refunds?

We offer a Registration Guarantee which means that if you register but decide the course isn’t right for you, we’ll refund your course fee - no questions asked - up to 48 hours before the course start date. No refunds are available after this time or once the program commences.

How can I access the online course and recordings?

ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORM: Once you register, you will receive immediate access to our online learning platform which includes all the information about the certificate, including:

All the on-demand course sessions
Supporting materials such as PDFs of the reading material and presentations
Access to your Online Community Forum

ACCESSIBILITY | Video / Audio: Within our online learning platform, you may watch the video within your online library or download the video or audio to your computer. You will have lifetime access to the content. ACCESSIBILITY | Live Captioning / Transcripts: Captioning was only available during the live sessions. Transcripts are offered in English. ACCESSIBILITY | Reading Lists: The reading list will include items available at the public library or will be provided as a PDF where possible. PDFs of the instructor’s presentation will also be provided.

Is this a summit?

No, this is an integrated curriculum co-created by the faculty. The faculty are colleagues in this program. They worked together to make sure each individual module is cohesive with the entire curriculum. Every teacher was informed about what was coming before and what was coming after and integrated their curriculum based on that information.

Is this a theoretical or practical (experiential) program?

While some theory will be presented to support the learning, the primary focus of the practice is experiential, giving practical tools for the participants.

Will I receive a certificate?

You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion once you have completed the following:

Watch all the recordings.
Complete the Self Evaluation & Reflections after each module.
Submit full payment.

All students who complete this program will receive a Certificate of Completion whether they attended it LIVE or ON-DEMAND.

What title can I use after completing this program?

Licensed therapists or health professionals (e.g., social workers, psychologists, clinical therapists, registered nurses) may use the title "Somatic Developmental Trauma Therapy Practitioner." Non-licensed individuals may say: "I integrate somatic developmental trauma healing interventions into my practice."

Will this program teach me to work with children?

This certificate focuses on working with adults who carry developmental trauma imprints. A program specific to children may be offered separately.

Will Continuing Education hours (CEs) be offered?

20 hours of CEs are available for Health Professionals upon completion of the live training. Please note - Live attendance is required. To register your interest for CEs for this program and more detailed information, please visit this link: https://forms.gle/76mwhjgG5vnzVw9BA Below is more information on the health professionals which may be eligible for CEs through the Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) which is co-sponsoring this program.

CEs for psychologists are provided by the Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) which is sponsoring this program. The Spiritual Competency Academy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Spiritual Competency Academy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE credits for LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFT license renewal for programs offered by sponsors of CE who are approved by the American Psychological Association.
LCSW, LPCC, LEP and LMFTs, and other professionals from outside of California need to check with their state licensing board as to whether or not they accept credits from programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association.
SCA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN Provider CEP16887) for licensed nurses in California. RNs must retain their certificate of attendance for 4 years after the course concludes. Nurses outside of California must confirm acceptance with their licensing boards.
For questions about your certificate or the content, logistics, or other support issues regarding this course, please contact The Embody Lab at info@theembodylab.com .
For questions about whether APA CE is valid for you, contact your licensing board directly.
For general questions about APA CE, contact SCA at ce@spiritualcompetencyacademy.com .

FROM A DIFFERENT STATE OR COUNTRY? Health professionals from a state or country outside of California need to check with their licensing boards as to whether or not they accept programs offered by approved sponsors of Continuing Education by the American Psychological Association (APA). DIFFERENT CREDENTIAL? If your credential is not listed, please check with your licensing board as to whether or not they accept programs offered by approved sponsors of Continuing Education by the American Psychological Association (APA). The SCA and The Embody Lab are not able to determine your eligibility.

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Train with the field's most trusted voices in somatic practice.