LIVE: The Unfinished Business of Childhood: Healing the Helping Professional's Childhood Trauma Wounds

February 27, 2026
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific

3 Hours | 3 CEs

$175 Registration | $150 Early Registration (through February 20) | Live Virtual Training via Zoom

Adam McCormick, PhD, presents a live virtual professional training program on The Unfinished Business of Childhood: Healing the Helping Professional's Childhood Trauma Wounds.

This training is rooted in three years of research and interviews with social workers, therapists, and other helping professionals. This training examines the profound impact of unresolved childhood trauma and adversity on the personal and professional lives of those dedicated to serving others. Drawing on real-world experiences and emerging neuroscience, participants will explore how childhood adaptations—such as people-pleasing, over-functioning, and emotional vigilance—become both strengths and vulnerabilities in their work.

Through a combination of self-reflective exercises, case examples, and trauma-informed strategies, this training uncovers the ways in which emotional contagion, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout take root in the helping professions. Participants will gain insights into how their personal histories shape their interactions with clients and colleagues, as well as their capacity to maintain boundaries and sustain emotional balance.

The training emphasizes the critical importance of self-awareness and authenticity in fostering resilience and professional sustainability. It introduces practical, neuroscience-based approaches to self-care that go beyond traditional practices, addressing the unique challenges faced by helping professionals.

By the end of the training, participants will be equipped with tools to navigate the interplay between their inner worlds and the demands of their work, enabling them to show up more authentically and effectively for themselves and those they serve. This session offers a space for healing and reflection, empowering professionals to rewrite their narratives and thrive in their roles.

Primary Audience

The primary audience for this program is helping professionals who engage in emotionally demanding work, including but not limited to:

• Social Workers (clinical, school, medical, child welfare)
• Therapists and Counselors (licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists)
• Healthcare Professionals (nurses, case managers, patient advocates)
• Educators (school counselors, teachers in trauma-informed environments)
• First Responders (emergency personnel and crisis responders)

Stage of Career

• Early-Career Professionals: New graduates entering the field, learning how to balance personal boundaries and professional demands.
• Mid-Career Professionals: Practitioners who have been in the field for 5–15 years, likely encountering burnout or secondary trauma, and seeking strategies to sustain their careers.
• Seasoned Professionals: Experienced individuals, including supervisors or administrators, who want to model resilience and foster healthier work environments.

Specialty Areas

• Professionals working with trauma-affected populations (e.g., survivors of abuse, domestic violence, refugees, veterans)
• Those in high-intensity roles, such as child welfare, healthcare, or crisis intervention
• Practitioners specializing in mental health, addiction, or community-based work

Work Environments

• High-Stress Settings: Hospitals, community mental health centers, residential treatment facilities, child welfare agencies
• Trauma-Focused Environments: Domestic violence shelters, veterans' services, schools in high-risk areas
• Independent Practice: Private clinicians and consultants navigating emotional demands with limited support
• Educational Institutions: Social work educators and supervisors seeking to enhance their own well-being while supporting students or supervisees