Abstract

Western approaches to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) do not always address the cultural and spiritual dimensions of trauma, creating a need for models that are more holistic and Indigenous in nature. The Trauma Recovery Certification Course was developed to respond to this gap by integrating right-hemisphere-engaging, spiritually grounded healing methods. The purpose of this study was to statistically evaluate the effectiveness of the course by examining participant learning, as measured through course-evaluation ratings, and personal healing of PTSD symptoms, as measured by pre- to post-course PCL-5 scores. This retrospective analysis used secondary data collected from 294 participants who completed the course between April 2014 and October 2024.

 
Results showed a statistically significant reduction in PCL-5 scores from pre- to post-course, indicating decreased PTSD symptom severity. Course-evaluation ratings were also exceptionally high, with all three items significantly exceeding the high-quality benchmark of 4.5 and demonstrating moderate to large effect sizes. These findings provide evidence that the holistic, spiritually based methods taught in the Trauma Recovery Certification Course support both trauma-related learning and reductions in PTSD symptoms. The results suggest that this approach may be beneficial for both Western and Indigenous populations and warrant further research across diverse cultural contexts.
 
Keywords: trauma education, spiritual methods, holistic approach, Indigenous informed practice, PTSD symptoms, PCL-5 scores.