Trauma Wisdom Circle
CE Information
September 2025
The Art of Repair: Healing Trauma Through the Lens of Relationship
with Benjamin Fry
This program has limited CE approval for the live Trauma Expert Teachings Zoom calls on a per-session basis (1.5 CEs per session)
**FULL ATTENDANCE FOR THE ENTIRE 90-minute DURATION IS REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CES**
**CES MUST BE REQUESTED NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE LIVE CALL**
September 2025 Calls - Benjamin Fry - The Art of Repair: Healing Trauma Through the Lens of Relationship
LIVE ZOOM SESSION 1 September 12, 2025 from 9-10:30 am PDT - 1.5 CES
LIVE ZOOM SESSION 2 September 26, 2025 from 9-10:30 am PDT – 1.5 CES
It is the participant's responsibility to check if their state is approved for CEs. No refunds will be given on CE purchases for failure to check state approval. Please click on the Specific CE Information link below for more details.
Dr. Raja Selvam, PhD, who teaches in over 25 countries on six continents, is a licensed clinical psychologist from California, a senior trainer in Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing (SE) professional trauma training programs, and the developer of Integral Somatic Psychology (ISP), a science-backed,body-based, and emotion-focused complementary approach designed to reduce treatment times andimprove diverse outcomes in all therapy modalities including existing body psychotherapy approaches. He is the author of the best-selling book The Practice of Embodying Emotions: A Guide for Improving Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Outcomes. His website is www.integralsomaticpsychology.com.
Content Description:
Session 1 Overview:
This 90-minute session explores how unresolved childhood trauma shapes romantic relationships—and how couples can use practical, compassionate tools to build safe, loving, and joyful connections. Drawing on lived experience, clinical observation, and trauma-informed frameworks, this talk moves from personal narrative to actionable strategies. Attendees will learn how past wounds drive our defenses and needs in partnership, and how understanding these patterns can transform suffering into growth and deeper intimacy. The journey will include real case examples, reflective exercises, and time for questions.
Session 1 Education Goals:
The clinicians will have a greater understanding of what embodying emotions is, its scientific basis, and why it is important for improving treatment times and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral outcomes in every therapeutic approach they use in their practice. They will also learn a step-by-step approach for how to implement the practice of embodying emotions in their practice.
Session 2 Overview:
This 90-minute session offers a reflective exploration into the concept of boundaries, moving beyond clichés and pop-psychology to examine the nuanced, often messy reality of how boundaries work (and don’t work) in the context of trauma, healing, and human relationships. Drawing from personal stories, neuroscience, and metaphors from biology and physics, we will trace the developmental origins of boundary challenges and consider a four-level model of boundary response. Emphasis will be placed on the limits and pitfalls of various approaches—including why even the “best” boundary techniques often fail us in moments of relational difficulty—and the crucial role of compassion in boundary work. The presentation invites inquiry rather than presenting definitive answers, and aims to provide practical concepts that can be adapted for both clinical and personal life.
Course Agenda
The Art of Repair: Healing Trauma Through the Lens of Relationship
with Benjamin Fry
Live Online Zoom Session 1 - Can you have Trauma and a Great Relationship
- Friday, September 13th - 9-10:30am PDT/12-1:30pm EDT/5-6:30pm BST
Session Agenda
- 0:00–0:05 - Welcome and Introduction - Brief welcome, speaker introduction, outline of session goals, acknowledgement of audience expertise.
- 0:05–0:20 - My Story: Trauma, Loss and the Search for Connection - Sharing personal background, the impact of early loss (mother's death), and how trauma disrupts the natural ease of relationships; setting up the lens for the session.
- 0:20–0:30 - What Trauma Does to Relationships - Exploring how abandonment, abuse, and neglect create adult needs for power, love, and attention; discussion of how trauma re-surfaces and morphs into relationship dynamics.
- 0:30–0:40 - Weather and Mountain: Metaphor for Relating with Trauma - Introducing the ‘mountain and weather’ metaphor; understanding the difference between our essence and our trauma-driven responses (weather); how to stay connected to the “mountain” in ourselves and our partner.
- 0:40–0:55 - From Transactional to Relational: The Power of the ‘Three Lists’ - Practical toolkit: Making lists of what makes us feel safe, loved, and have fun; how identifying needs is just the first step; importance of exploring the “why” behind each need, rooted in childhood experience.
- 0:55–1:10 - Case Studies: Compassion in Action - Walkthrough of anonymized real-life cases; demonstrations of how unpacking childhood wounds transforms couple dynamics; exercises for seeing the “child” in our partner.
- 1:10–1:20 - Integration: Building Connection, Polarity, and Growth - Synthesizing key learnings; how couples navigate "what I need, what you need, and what we need together"; the importance of symbolism, forgiveness, and continued growth.
- 1:20–1:30 - Q&A and Closing Reflection - Open floor for audience questions and live discussion; sharing concluding reflections, encouragement for clinicians and couples working with trauma.
Live Online Zoom Session 2 - Why Boundaries are so Misunderstood - Friday, September 26th - 9-10:30am PDT/12-1:30pm EDT/5-6:30 BST
Session Agenda
- 0:00–0:05 - Welcome and Introduction - Greetings, introduction to the topic, scope and aims of the session.
- 0:05–0:15 - Personal Narrative: Boats & Boundaries - Storytelling to ground the body-based and relational impact of boundary experiences.
- 0:15–0:25 - Cultural Confusion & Generational Wisdom - A look at contemporary boundary discourse and insights from conversations with the next generation.
- 0:25–0:40 - Boundaries and the Dysregulated Nervous System - Neural and evolutionary perspectives: why threat cycles get interrupted, and what this means for boundaries.
- 0:40–0:50 - Triggers, Baggage, and Reactions: Why Boundaries Matter - Tracing how old wounds shape our responses, and how containment/boundary practices aim to help.
- 0:50–1:15 - The Four Levels of Boundary Response - Considerations for when and why each level may arise; limitations, risks, and the role of compassion.
- 1:15–1:25 - Synthesis: Differentiation, Linkage & Paradox - Reflections on systems theory, cellular and physics metaphors, and the balance of separation and connection.
- 1:25–1:35 - Q&A and Discussion - Inviting questions, sharing perspectives and challenges, application to therapy and life.
The Art of Repair: Healing Trauma Through the Lens of Relationship
with Benjamin Fry
Learning Objectives
Session 1: Can you have Trauma and a Great Relationship?
- Describe how childhood experiences of abandonment, abuse, and neglect shape adult attachment patterns, needs, and difficulties in intimate relationships.
- Identify what constitutes transactional (needs-focused, defensive) versus relational (empathic, connecting) approaches within partnership, and explain why the latter promotes deeper healing and connection.
- Utilize the metaphor of ‘mountain’ (self/essence) and ‘weather’ (trauma-driven reactions) to help clients (or oneself) separate enduring character from transient triggers in relationship stress.
Implement the 'Three Lists' Tool - Explain the use of non-verbal, symbolic acts (such as tokens or transitional objects) to help regulate attachment anxiety and support relationship stability.
Session 2: Why Boundaries are so Misunderstood
- Distinguish among classic “hard no,” contained self-protection, vulnerable boundary sharing, and relational containment.
- Apply cell membrane, gluon, and systems metaphors in psychoeducation.
- Describe the possibility of boundaries supporting repair, resiliency, and a broader sense of belonging.
- Explain why the highest evolution of boundaries—containing both self and “us”—is difficult, especially when triggered, but represents an aspirational ideal.
For Beginning/Introductory mental health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, LPCs, and LMFTs.
Continuing Education
This program offers limited Live CEs/Contact Hours.
Continuing education credit/Contact hours are awarded on a per-session basis, with full attendance required for the entire 90-minute duration. There is no additional charge for the CEs. Application forms and other required CE materials will be available to participants by the Academy of Therapy Wisdom.
NOTE: To receive continuing education credit, applicants must complete all CE materials, comply with attendance regulations, and submit an evaluation form for the session attended. It is the responsibility of the attendee to determine if CE credit/contact hours offered by Academy of Therapy Wisdom meet the regulations of their state licensing/certification board.
Psychology: This course does NOT provide CEs for Psychologists.
Counseling:
Academy of Therapy Wisdom has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7370. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Academy of Therapy Wisdom is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This program is approved for 1.5 CE Credit Hours for each live session for a possible total of 3 CE Credit Hours.
NY State Social Workers: Academy of Therapy Wisdom is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Workers as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. #SW-0814.
NY State Mental Health Counselors: Academy of Therapy Wisdom is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0285.
Marriage/Family Therapy: See below for CAMFT information.
California Professionals:
Academy of Therapy Wisdom, Provider #1032323, is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs. Academy of Therapy Wisdom maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. This course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hours per session of continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
This course is $87 per month or $684/year. You can purchase it here.
Cancellation
You can try your first 2 weeks risk-free with a money-back guarantee. After that, if you cancel 5 or more business days before the date of your next payment, you will not be charged, and your access will expire on the last day of the current month. You will lose access to all of the subscription content when your access expires.
Commercial Support Disclaimer
This program is provided solely by the Academy of Therapy Wisdom and its teachers. There is no conflict of interest for this program.
Disability Access
If you require ADA accommodations please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.
Cancellation Policy
You can try your first month risk-free with a money-back guarantee. After that, if you cancel 5 or more business days before the date of your next payment, you will not be charged, and your access will expire on the last day of the current month. You will lose access to all of the subscription content when your access expires.
Please contact support@therapywisdom.com if you wish to cancel your purchase.
Grievance Policy
Grievances shall be submitted via the form found here and acknowledgement of receipt sent within 24 hours. The Program Administrator will review the grievance and respond back to the participant within 2 business days. Please use this form if you would like to submit a grievance with Academy of Therapy Wisdom for any of the following reasons:
- Refund requests
- Complaints about course content
- Complaints about facilities
- Complaints about non-receipt of certificates
- Complaints about miscellaneous occurrences
If you have any questions about this, please contact support@therapywisdom.com.
For questions or concerns, please send an email to support@therapywisdom.com.
CE Expiration Date
The Live CEs will be available until 60 days after the last live call (through January 30th, 2024).