The Wait Is Over: Trauma-informed Design Credentialing Has Arrived!
- Christine Cowart, MA, TiD-P
- Jul 31
- 5 min read
The Trauma-informed Design (TiD) Society is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the
Trauma-informed Design
Credentialing Course!
The Fall 2025 course will begin on September 1, 2025!
The first step to TiD credentialing, this course is an intensive immersion into the TiD Framework and how to apply it to real-world projects. They will learn about the Trauma-informed Design (TiD) Framework, the full scope of trauma, and why it matters in design. Participants will practice communicating through visualizations, as well and spoken and written means, about Trauma-informed Design. This theory-into-practice applied approach will investigate how TiD design can be applied to any design project, at any scale, and the benefits that may ensue. Participants will be expected to justify their choices using the TiD Framework throughout the course.
Approach
This is a 16-week interactive class experience. Participants will engage with one another throughout the course. Instructors provide consistent feedback by engaging in online discussions, holding office hours, and providing detailed feedback on all graded assignments and projects. The course includes pre-scheduled synchronous video conferencing sessions, in which participants will be asked to share their work for real-time feedback from other course participants and instructor coaching.
The workload for this course is estimated to be a minimum of 9 hours for each two-week session. For each of the first 7 sessions, participants will be provided with a prepared lesson, readings, and sometimes other multimedia resources, as well as any assignments for the session. In addition, they will engage with one another in online discussion posts throughout the course. In the final session, participants will devote their time to completing and presenting their final project.
The course will run from September 1, 2025 through December 21, 2025. It will be held remotely online and is mostly asynchronous, with the following exceptions:
Optional office hours will be held at scheduled times each week. Participants who wish to meet with the instructors and cannot make the scheduled office hours can arrange to meet with them at another mutually agreed-upon time.
At the end of Session 6, participants are expected to attend to check-in during a synchronous meeting about their progress on the final project. Participants can pick from the following two times for these check-ins, on November 13th at 3 p.m. and November 16th at 12 p.m.*
At the conclusion of the course, participants are expected to attend a synchronous session to present their final project and provide feedback to others. Participants are expected to attend for the entire session on their choice of December 19th at 5 p.m. or December 20th at 1 p.m.*
But Wait...There's More!
Upon enrollment, participants will receive a copy of the course text, Trauma-informed Design: A Framework for Designers, Architects, and Other Practitioners.
In addition, designers and social workers can earn CEUs to apply towards their professional license! This course has been approved for:
A total of 62.5 Health, Safety, and Welfare CEUs through the International Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC); and
A total of 34.5 CEUs through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Additional Information
Participants must earn a final score of 75 percent or higher in the course to be eligible for Trauma-informed Design Credentialing. By enrolling in this course, participants agree to abide by a community agreement that governs interactions throughout the course. More information about the community agreement and the course, including objectives, scoring, and a session outline, are available on the TiD website.
*All times provided are in Eastern (NYC) Time. Participants who are unable to attend one of the pre-scheduled meetings should reach out to the instructors as soon as they become aware to schedule an alternate meeting time.
Is credentialing not in the cards right now?
No worries! We've got you covered!
Check out the Limited Edition, Exclusive CEU Course
we created in partnership with ASID!
This unique learning opportunity is available only through the ASID Design Learning platform. Learn about the TiD Framework and its methodology, supported by research and science to create spaces that support health and aid in the prevention and mitigation of trauma and its symptoms. The TiD Society has developed a complete educational program for designers to develop their skills as Trauma-informed Design practitioners. ASID is the only interior design organization offering this course, with two more to come later this year. You'll want to take advantage of this learning opportunity to enhance your design toolkit while it lasts!
New Resource!
Say What ?
A Card Deck for Thoughtful Rephrasing
The way we communicate with and about people reveals—and shapes—attitudes and behaviors. The language we use can alienate those with invaluable insight and contribute to stigmas, or it can signal respect and dignity.
Shifting to trauma-informed language takes time, as it differs from the everyday conversations around us. Why not make it fun and approachable? With their vibrant, tactile design, these cards make it easy to engage and enjoyable to practice—helping you adopt language that honors dignity in a way that feels inviting and accessible.
With 52 cards, this deck supports your journey toward more respectful, inclusive language—one thoughtful conversation at a time.
While your there, don't forget to pick up a little something for yourself.
TiD Evaluation Tool for K-12 Schools (TiDEvalk12)
EDRA CORE award-winning design assessment
Our Summer of Connection and Advocacy Continues!
We've been enjoying our many chances to engage in a widespread array of environments to learn from others and spreading the word about the benefits of TiD!
NeoCon
In case you missed Janet Roche's featured panel on designing workplaces for neurodiversity at NeoCon25 this June, we have a highlight reel! Our CEO was joined by a dynamite panel in this talk facilitated by Dr. Tracy Brower and sponsored by ASID and BIFMA. We hope you enjoy!
Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission
Janet Roche, Christine Cowart, and Adrienne Erdman addressed the Hospital and Short-Term Care Facilities Subcommittee of the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission in July. Chaired by former CDC Director Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, the subcommittee requested an overview of Trauma-informed Design to inform upcoming legislation about the creation of new behavioral health practice environments. We look forward to developing this new relationship later this month, when we meet to continue the conversation.
ASID GATHER 2025 National Conference
August 17-19, 2025
Christine Cowart and Adrienne Erdman will host two micro-sessions at ASID's GATHER event in Atlanta, Georgia:
Trauma-informed Design Framework In Snapshots
Do No Harm: The Heart of Trauma-informed Design Research.
They will also host two book signing events during the conference. Whether you're looking for a sneak-peak into the TiD Framework, interested in learning more about how to conduct research in a trauma-informed way, or want to discuss your latest TiD project, please come chat with us and get your signed copy of the TiD Framework while you're there!
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