Why You Should Attend
Although PTSD can cause symptoms that significantly affect cognition and behavior, the people who assist or make critical decisions affecting those who experience PTSD may not recognize or understand these symptoms well. This training provides advocates with an understanding of PTSD that will allow them to:

- Work productively with clients who have experienced trauma;
- Learn about PTSD and how it may relate to clients' legal issues;
- Partner effectively with mental health professionals; and
- Develop compelling evidence to support advocacy for individuals affected by PTSD.

What You Will Learn
Led by a faculty that includes a VA psychologist with extensive clinical expertise in PTSD and lawyers specializing in mental health-related advocacy, after completing this program, participants will be able to:

- Understand how trauma and PTSD affect the brain;
- Describe PTSD symptoms and how they affect people in their day-to-day lives;
- Discuss how PTSD symptoms can be relevant in legal proceedings;
- Develop relevant information and evidence about PTSD;
- Gain insights into mental health reports, evaluations, and other clinical evidence; and
- Strategize working effectively with mental health professionals to develop and present information about PTSD that supports advocacy for those affected by trauma.

Who Should Attend
Any advocate involved in services, benefits, access to justice, or other assistance to clients who experience PTSD should attend this training to expand their understanding and enhance their ability to work effectively on issues affecting this sometimes misunderstood population.

Special Feature(s): Scholarships are available to participate in this program. For more information and to apply please visit: https://learning.pli.edu/scholarship.

Program Level: Update

Prerequisites: An interest in learning new advocacy skills to help clients experiencing PTSD and trauma.

Advanced Preparation: None

If you work for an IRC Section 501c3 organizations dedicated to providing direct pro bono representation, your organization may be eligible to receive a PLI Pro Bono Membership which provides free access to PLI programs. For more information please go to the following link: https://www.pli.edu/globalassets/pro-bono/pro-bono-application-march-2022.pdf