The Healing Trauma Program

A Nine-Month Training to Regulate Your Nervous System, Embody Safety, and Become a Healing Presence

Featuring Jeffrey Rutstein, PsyD

Trauma and its consequences affect all of us. If you’re someone who’s been struggling to reconcile the traumatic events in your past, take heart! With the tools and support now available, you can reach an empowering new understanding of trauma and its impacts, reclaim your resilience and zest for life, and become a source of healing and insight for yourself and others.

See What Previous Students Are Saying

A letter from Dr. Rutstein

If you have unresolved trauma or chronic dysregulation in your nervous system, you may frequently struggle with anxiety, irritability, overwhelm, disconnection, shame, sleep disturbances, eating problems, pain, and/or body issues. These challenges bring significant pain, conflict, and disruption to your daily life, making each day a difficult journey.

I know what you’re going through is incredibly tough, and I want you to know you’re not alone. Both literally and metaphorically, trauma can really mess with your head and make it hard to be your true self and feel comfortable in your own skin. It shakes up your sense of safety and belonging, leading to a lot of pain and struggle that can last a long time.

Trauma doesn’t just mess with your emotions; it impacts your brain and your nervous system. This can interfere with memory, thinking, emotional regulation, and physiological regulation. This can cause you to feel as if you are bouncing from highs to lows or keep getting stuck in a painful place. It can also make you feel totally disconnected from yourself and the world around you. This disconnection stops you from living authentically, feeling at ease, and finding a sense of safety and belonging. When trauma is unresolved, it creates a ripple effect that can negatively impact all parts of your life.

I get it on a personal level. I went through several years of trauma and abuse that cast a shadow over everything—my thoughts, my feelings about myself, my sense of what’s possible, and my self-worth. I didn’t even realize it was trauma at first. I just felt anxious, ashamed, ungrounded, and in despair. I thought these feelings were just who I was—like I was unworthy to the core.

This is why I created, in partnership with Sounds True, The Healing Trauma Program. I’ve poured my heart and soul into creating a training program designed to help you on your healing journey. This program is a product of decades of experience and a deep, abiding love for those who are struggling. I want to offer you the tools, guidance, and support you need to start feeling connected to yourself and the world around you again. My program is all about helping you live authentically, find peace, and reclaim your sense of safety and belonging.

Trauma may leave a lasting mark, but it doesn’t define you. By joining this program and joining the thousands of others who have completed it, you can start to reclaim your life, rebuild your self-worth, and find a path to a more peaceful and fulfilling existence.

Healing from trauma is a tough and ongoing journey, but it’s a journey you don’t have to take alone. With patience, self-compassion, and support from those who understand your pain and are walking the same healing path, you can start to peel back the layers of hurt and begin to heal. My program is here to guide you every step of the way, helping you rebuild your self-worth and find a path to a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

I invite you to join me and take this step toward healing. Let’s work together to overcome the shadows of trauma and rediscover the light within you. There is hope, and with time and effort, you can move past the pain and find the peace and wholeness that is your birthright.

With all my love and support,

Jeffrey

What You'll Learn

Reconciling our trauma is possible, but not easy! Through the support and guidance of a renowned faculty of experts led by Dr. Jeffrey Rutstein, a global community of fellow students, and your own commitment through the course of nine life-changing months, you’ll explore:

Nervous System
Self-Regulation

Learn how your nervous system operates during distressing situations and how to “widen the window of tolerance” when the body’s fight/flight/freeze responses take over.

Finding Safety in
Your Body

Uncover internal pathways of safety and connection so they become a trusted new path to shift from disembodiment to the solid ground of your physical form.

Recognizing Your Triggers

Discover what activates your personal trauma responses and how to manage them effectively in the moment.

Trauma-Sensitive Practices, Meditations, and Reflections

Learn daily exercises and approaches to support greater self-awareness and personal agency (especially when you’re feeling disempowered or helpless).

Becoming a Healing Presence

Be the calm person in the room: an open, receptive, caring source of comfort for others.

Here's What You'll Receive in the Course:

Nine months of online instruction

Immerse yourself in three progressive trimesters, including over 30 hours of self-paced video lessons, live teachings and Q&A with presenters and special guests, online community gatherings, office hours with Dr. Rutstein, and more.

Two daylong live events

Join The Healing Trauma Program global community for our opening and closing events, hosted by Dr. Rutstein and featuring some very special surprise guests.

Two live sessions each month

Meet with Dr. Rutstein and your fellow students in two live sessions per month to ask questions, share insights, and hold space for each other throughout our journey together.

An interactive and elegant course platform

Designed specifically for adult learners and accessible wherever you have Internet access, The Healing Trauma Program online home puts all of the materials and teachings at your fingertips 24/7—with lifetime access.

Complementary bonuses

From each of the faculty members, you’ll receive additional teachings, illustrations, reflection prompts, and other aids to support your understanding and practical application of the wisdom you’ll discover.

The Power of Commitment

The old saying that “time heals all wounds” may or may not be true, but what we know for certain is that when it comes to trauma, there is no miracle drug or overnight cure that we can turn to. The longer we rely on the coping strategies and patterns we develop in response to traumatic events, the stronger our commitment must be on the path to change. That’s why the in-depth curriculum of The Healing Trauma Program spans nine consecutive months. Through daily practice, patient perseverance, and trust in the new skills and approaches we learn, we can free ourselves from the grip of trauma and reclaim our best lives. Our commitment is the key.

An Unmatched Training to Help You Overcome:

Anxiety and Depression

Unresolved trauma can put us in an exhausting and debilitating cycle that can manifest as chronic anxiety, depression, panic attacks, defensiveness, and other difficult feeling states. The Healing Trauma Program will help you shift your nervous system out of a perpetual state of “flight” so you can finally feel safe when you are not in any real danger.

Numbness, Low Energy, or Being Stuck

Traumatic events often lock our nervous system into an overactive “freeze” response that we experience as numbness, low energy, disembodiment, or a lingering sense of malaise. The Healing Trauma Program is filled with teachings and tools to uplift and reenergize yourself.

Anger and Reactivity

As a response to trauma, many people develop a hair-trigger “fight” response in their nervous system, leading to overreacting to minor stressors or having difficulty managing emotions. In the program, you’ll find proven ways to let down your guard and experience greater inner peace.

Unworthiness or Isolation

Sadly, many people blame themselves for the trauma they have endured, feeling unworthy of love and acceptance and destined for a life of loneliness. The Healing Trauma Program brings you into an all-inclusive, wholly safe, and nonjudgmental community with a shared purpose of reclaiming our inherent worthiness and belonging.

Stress

When our trauma is ongoing, we can trap ourselves in a constant state of heightened alertness and overwhelm that is linked to numerous health problems. With the skills and insights you’ll discover in the program, you’ll learn how to shift out of stress and into a felt sense of serenity and spaciousness.

Cognitive Dysfunction

Trauma has been shown to impair our ability to concentrate, remember important information, or make decisions. In addition, trauma can lead to persistent negative thoughts and self-criticism, impacting self-esteem and confidence. Through the neuroscience-based techniques offered in The Healing Trauma Program, you’ll boost your mental clarity and focus and cultivate a more positive, empowering outlook on life.

Sleep Issues

Trauma can completely disrupt our sleep patterns, causing insomnia or nightmares, which further impacts our physical and mental health. In the course, you’ll explore a variety of guided practices and meditations to relax your body, quiet your mind, and reclaim the gift of good sleep.

Relationship Challenges

One of the worst aspects of trauma is what it does to our relationships and our ability to communicate and trust. Throughout The Healing Trauma Program, we’ll investigate how to transform our relationships, both personal and professional, by creating healthy boundaries, expressing our needs, and speaking our truth with kindness.

Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

In an attempt to manage the intense emotions associated with trauma, some may turn to alcohol, drugs, disordered eating, or other harmful behaviors. The Healing Trauma Program will support you in using new strategies and healthier habits for your long-term well-being.

More Praise for The Healing Trauma Program

This journey has been without a doubt the most significant one I have chosen to join. I have found/learned ways/techniques to feel safe and grounded, and when I am not anywhere near feeling safe I still know I am not alone – WHICH IS HUGE – and that there is a way home to safety. Jeffrey’s presence and everyone he brings to each session are invaluable. I am not sure what or where I would be today without this gift.

I am very glad I participated in the Healing Trauma program. I feel more grounded. Calm and embodied after taking the program. I can self regulate with much more ease and I make it a consistent practice to self regulate throughout the day. Even in family situations that would trigger me before the program, I can stay self regulated, embodied and in a space of equanimity. I did realize though in this difficult meeting with family members, that I kept placing my hand on my heart in ways that I hoped did not seem too noticeable and I also kept hugging myself as I was just moving around to resituate myself in my chair when things got really heavy. It was with family kind of like Thanksgiving. Though things really did get very heavy. The amazing thing is I remained with awareness in my body and in a space of equanimity. All the worst stuff with family seemed to have come to the fore. Maybe that’s the Universe testing me?! Who knows. Thank you for this very effective healing and wonderful tools!!

When I first started the Healing Trauma Program, I was struggling with PTSD, chronic pain and sleep disorders. Then, during Module 2, my husband was diagnosed with cancer and subsequently underwent 3 surgeries. I cannot fully express how very grateful I am for the gentle nurturing strength and excellent support I received from this program on my own healing journey over the past 9 months. I was especially impressed by the level of expertise shared by each presenter and the research-based materials that were chosen to be the foundation for this program. I looked forward to every module and live session because each loving-spirited presenter made me feel so valued and welcome no matter what was going on in my life. As I learned to keep myself more consistently in my vagal ventral state, I was able to stop feeling panicked and scattered by adverse external circumstances and I began to create a welcome sense of ‘coming home’ to my calm, focused and solution-oriented best self. I have been sharing what I have learned with others and I am looking forward to continuing my learning & healing journey as I review the skills and practices and hopefully participate in the alumni program. I am very grateful that this Healing Trauma Program is offered to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in becoming a healing presence within themselves and with others.

Attending “office hours with Jeffrey” changed my perspective on therapists and therapy and the power of embodiment. He masterfully demonstrated attuned presence. During the program I often thought if I had met him and the program years ago the trajectory of my life would have been improved, though now I realize it’s never too late to shift.

I have more tools to self-regulate and Co-regulate. I found more acceptance and compassion with myself towards what i have always labeled as my flaws. It is hard to choose what part or parts were more beneficial because all impacted me very much and with each felt like a break through into freedom and self-acceptance. In regards to what i would say to someone contemplating beginning their journey in the healing trauma: You have arrived. You are here, ready to open your heart to a safe healing. Congratulations for this big step of love towards yourself.

When I began the program, my life was only about the trauma of my marriage and separation. I was extremely anxious and depressed, could hardly feel my body, and could not sleep. With the help of HT, my sleep is now normal, I am taking good care of myself, my anxiety and depression are greatly reduced, and I am finally thinking about a life beyond the trauma.

Shame and self-compassion was the most important for me. It’s total game-changer in the way I relate to myself, others and life in general. Polyvagal theory normalized certain situations, stories and feelings, and wide-variety of practices available in the program gave me sense of agency in my life. I’m a therapist myself and I see tremendous improvement in the way I work and my ability to stay present, connected and influential in the life of my clients.

The HTP program has been a life changer by initially understanding the origins of trauma and then subsequently learning the tools through wonderful teachers to address long standing unresolved attachment/developmental trauma. Jeffrey exemplifies a compassionate healing presence and he is the reason I signed up for the alumni program and will continue forward with the next cohort. Jeffrey and the program are co regulators and a grounding resource in my life. Even simply attending the live sessions as an alumni have been invaluable and supportive of my healing journey. A word to those contemplating joining the next cohort would be – take advantage of this unique educative, insightful and supportive program that provides the learner with a multitude of benefits that culminate into finding direction for living your best life. It’s never too late to start the healing journey for oneself and then paying it forward to the collective. A big thank you once again to Jeffrey for being our brilliant and heartfelt leader. I can’t say enough about him. I believe what makes this program so special is Jeffrey’s healing presence and wisdom coupled with the many valuable teachings from some of the best trauma experts in the field. The practice sessions with Solay have been a great resource and addition this year. Thank you HTP 💗 Thank you Jeffrey. Grateful to have found you !!

Jeffrey Rutstein’s Healing Trauma Program has changed my life, my way of inhabiting myself, my way of inhabiting the world. I recommend it without reservation. The 9 modules were so thoughtfully arranged, beginning with beautifully simple explanations of how the human nervous system works to deeply subtle ways the individual ‘inherits’ trauma from one’s family, one’s larger community, one’s race, our world at large. The practices accompanying each module have helped me know myself deep inside my body, giving me a new understanding of who and how I am, and how to heal wounds I had thought were beyond healing. Through this course, I have learned how to treat myself with tenderness and kindness, which has all by itself extended into a kinder way to tend to all of my relationships. Jeffrey is a remarkable teacher, deeply committed to his cohort of course participants. He is living proof of how this knowledge and these practices can heal. The teachers Jeffrey has bought on board for HTP, each with their particular ways of approaching trauma, brought such richness to the course. Nine months ago, I had thought that I would never have access to a way of being beyond the shame, sadness, grief, and frustration that has accompanied me throughout my life. But over these 9 months, the accumulation of many “small” things presented in HTP feels like the beginning of something huge, a new felt sense of myself, and of what connection actually means. I give thanks to Jeffrey, his cohort of fellow-teachers, as well as the whole Sounds True team for this newfound sense of optimism, sovereignty, and compassion, which I take deeply into myself, and out into the world.

It was quite a journey for me! I learned a lot from theory regarding vagus nerve, co-regulation.. etc., from many practical method to deal with different emotions, to work with the body, to breathe, how to work with the shadow of our heavy emotions, theoretical aspects related with intergenerational trauma and some practical methods to deal with it, meditations, body work in order to “find my way back home” in ventral state….I put in practice as many methods and techniques as I could learned within this program by working with myself first and then working with others…. I am now much more in contact with my body and much more aware and in contact with myself and I am helping others when possible to learn to work in this manner. And yes I would recommend this program to as many people as I can. This program is a life changing one. One of the most important aspects related with this program was your compassionate attitude, your openness and your capacity of containing and alchemizing so many emotions. Through this program a beautiful community was build. It was amazing to interact with people from different continents, cultures, from different ages with different experiences and different backgrounds…

The HTP was instrumental in my moving through the first year following my husband’s death in September of 2022. I am a complex trauma survivor of childhood domestic violence, which has impacted my adult life in many ways. I have been proactive, over the years in finding resources to guide my healing journey, always trusting my gut instinct. Joining the HTP was the right call at the right time. Every aspect of the program has provided me the container I needed, as I found myself often dys-regulated during my grief journey. Most especially, the Office Hours and Going Deeper sessions with Jeffrey R and my cohorts!And yes I would recommend this program to as many people as I can.

This program is a gentle, explorative, and empowering experience. Learning to self-regulate, learning to live comfortably in your body, and learning how to reach out meaningfully in our world — all of these are part of the transformative nature of this work. We are not alone, and we are all important. With the tools we obtained, and the practices we were taught, we can make a difference.

Your Host

Dr. Jeffrey Rutstein

PsyD, CHT

A clinical psychologist who has specialized in the treatment of trauma for nearly 40 years.

Dr. Jeffrey Rutstein is clinical psychologist, an expert in the treatment of trauma, a certified Hakomi Mindfulness-Centered Somatic psychotherapist, and a meditation teacher who has been in private practice for over 35 years. He has practiced meditation for over 50 years. He has devoted his professional life to helping people reduce their suffering and struggle while empowering them to claim their strengths, their talents, and their unique abilities to live a more fulfilling and rich life.

Core Faculty

Deb Dana

PsyD, CHT

Deb Dana is a clinician and consultant specializing in using the lens of Polyvagal Theory to understand and resolve the impact of trauma and create ways of working that honor the role of the autonomic nervous system. She is a founding member of the Polyvagal Institute and lectures internationally. She is the author of several books, including Anchored and Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection.

Tami Simon

FOUNDER OF SOUNDS TRUE

Guiding students step-by-step through her signature Immunity to Change Map, Lisa supports IMBA participants in identifying and overcoming internal obstacles and self-imposed limitations and creating an action plan for growth and forward progress.

Tami Simon

FOUNDER OF SOUNDS TRUE

Contributing Faculty

Three trimesters of enriching,
empowering content

Trimester 1

Trauma and the Body

Our opening trimester explores the importance of being able to self-regulate your body in the face of aggravating experiences large and small. Instead of being held hostage to the whims of an activated or traumatized nervous system, we will explore deeply experiential practices that aim to transform your body’s response, so that you feel more in control of every situation.

The Experts

Peter A. Levine, PhD

Konda Mason

Judith Blackstone, PhD

Trimester 2

Relationships and Connecting with Others

Our second trimester explores trauma in relationships and how it impacts our ability to relate to ourselves and others. Because our bodies exist in one of two states—”protect” or “connect”—remaining in a “protect” state inhibits our ability to create deep, meaningful relationships. Includes MID-PROGRAM PRACTICE RETREAT.

The Experts

Gabor Maté, MD

Sará King, PhD

Susan Stiffelman, MFT

John a. Powell

Trimester 3

Becoming a Healing Presence in the World

Our final trimester encompasses healing those around us. As humans, we are constantly sending signals of safety or danger—and picking up on the signals of others. Therefore, in order to rise above the more defensive states of trauma, we must practice sending safer signals as we move toward collective healing.

The Experts

Thomas Hübl, PhD

Arielle Schwartz, PhD

Woman Stands Shining, Pat McCabe

Resmaa Menakem, MSW, LICSW, SEP

Ruth King

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is The Healing Trauma Program for? Am I qualified to participate?

The Healing Trauma Program is for anyone who wants to develop self-regulation skills so they can become a greater healing presence for others, and to learn directly from some of the most respected trauma educators, researchers, and clinical practitioners of our time. This can include helping professionals of all kinds: yoga teachers, front line health care workers, coaches, educators, community leaders, parents, bodyworkers, and everyday people who encounter people suffering from trauma (or have experienced trauma themselves). It’s for all who need to know how to embody a sense of groundedness and connection. Please note: The Healing Trauma Program is a 9-month educational program and is not a replacement for therapy.

Who might not benefit from this program?

We encourage you to consider whether or not this course is the right fit for you. This is not a determination of your value or abilities, simply an invitation to consider if The Healing Trauma Program is best matched to support your journey at this time.

The Healing Trauma Program is a self-guided, online nine-month program. It is not individual or group psychotherapy, nor does it replace appropriate medical or psychiatric/psychological treatment tailored to your individualized needs. If you are currently struggling with an active and acute trauma state, are trying to manage impulses for self-harm, or have recently experienced severe and overwhelming trauma, this is not the right time to engage in this program.

You may also find that this program is not supportive if you experience significant dissociative symptoms. Dissociation symptoms can include (but are not limited to) :

Severe difficulty remembering personal information or history
Feeling like the world around you is unreal
Feeling like you are looking at yourself from the outside
Shifts and changes in your identity and expressions

Given the nature of the material covered, there is a potential for you to experience activation or triggering. The program is intended to deliver helpful tools for nervous system regulation and support your healing journey; it is not individual or group therapy, and will not have the direct and extensive support that a therapist would be able to offer. If you are still unsure if this program is a good fit for you right now, we encourage you to discuss your situation with a doctor or therapist before purchasing. Please remember, The Healing Trauma Program is a 9-month educational program and is not a replacement for therapy.

What is the coursework schedule like?

You can expect to have approximately 1 hour to 1.25 hours of coursework per week. This time will include 30 minutes of teachings and 40 minutes of guided practices per week, plus one monthly live Going Deeper learning session, two monthly optional Practice Sessions, and two monthly optional Office Hours with Jeffrey.

Can I participate on my own schedule at times that I choose?

This program is considered “blended learning”—some of the information will be presented live and some will be prerecorded, so you can participate when it’s convenient for you.

Why is this program so long?

Many of us have carried trauma for years and more likely decades. That kind of trauma cannot be transformed in an eight week course. Instead, Sounds True created a longer immersive experience, to give students the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to work with their nervous system. Embodying safety and becoming a healing presence takes practice and support that requires a longer length of study.

How many hours per week will I spend on coursework?

About 1.25 hours per week. This includes 40 minutes of practice time per week. There will be two additional opportunities per month for you to practice alongside a dedicated facilitator (and your fellow students). These are optional.

What if I have a busy schedule and can’t attend live online sessions?

No problem. All of the online sessions will be available to watch on demand within 72 business hours after they are broadcast.

What is required to receive a certificate of completion?

In order to receive your certificate, you’ll need to view all lesson content and live sessions. Additionally, you’ll need to complete each monthly module.

What are the important dates and deadlines?

There is a special virtual gathering on January 31, 2025, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet your fellow students and open the space in a sacred way. The coursework will begin on February 3, 2025.

Is financial assistance available?

Yes, we are offering a limited number of partial scholarships to participants who would benefit from financial assistance. Awards will be made based off of the full price of the program ($1497). Please do not apply for a scholarship unless a scholarship is truly needed. If you’d like to apply for one of the partial scholarships, you can do that here. The last day to apply for a scholarship is January 17, 2025, at 11:59 MT, so please apply as early as you determine you are in need of financial assistance. All awards will be made by January 31, 2025, and you will be notified via email.

What is your cancellation policy?

You may request a refund within the first 30 days of the program, starting from the commencement date on February 3, 2025. Please note that no refunds will be issued after March 4, 2025.

Can I speak to someone before enrolling in the program?

Yes! We have friendly program specialists ready to answer your questions before you take the next step to join this program. Click here to book a call. Also, we highly recommend that you book a call with them as early as possible so you have plenty of time to decide whether this is the right program for you.

Can you give some examples of the practices/exercises that we'll be doing?

A sample of the types of practices used include breath practices, awareness of sensation practices, compassion practices, and felt-sense practices such as recalling pleasant and heart-warming moments.

Will this program be redundant if I’ve done other trauma courses?

This program’s central theme will be learning to recognize when you are in survival/defensive states, identifying which state you are in, and then learning how to shift into regulation. There will be some content overlap, but the emphasis will be on transforming somatically how you respond to and work with defensive states. This program is designed to help you actually embody this way of being with your experience.This course is designed to help you both better self-regulate and offer your healing presence to others and to our world. This program offers you a map, a framework, and the tools to learn how to heal and better self-regulate. As we better self-regulate, we can connect and be more present to our life and with others. The more that we are connected and present, the more signals of safety we send out, which helps regulate a dysregulated world. Rather than unconsciously contribute to the rising tide of fear, anger, and reactivity, we embody the safety, presence, and connection this world so urgently needs.

Does this course come with lifetime access?

Yes!

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