MA Trauma Informed Practice Student and Alumni Profiles

Alice Hedges

Year of Graduation: 2023
Home country: UK

Why did you choose to study at the University of Nottingham?

Being able to complete an MA in a subject that I was interested in part-time whilst working alongside studying was a necessity when I decided I wanted to study further. I had the flexibility of being able to attend virtually during the pandemic and then face-to-face when restrictions were lifted. Whilst living outside of Nottingham the idea of being able to stay in the hotel on campus was appealing and I also had the option of staying closer to town to explore Nottingham during the evenings.  

How has the course helped with your career?

Completing the course has supported my understanding of working with children who have experienced, or are experiencing, trauma. In my career as a primary school teacher, I have found that there is a huge need for trauma informed teaching and understanding. I have been able to share my knowledge with co-workers and am passionate about supporting schools in taking steps to becoming trauma informed. 

Was there a particular module that you enjoyed the most?

Personally, the Practical Perspectives on Dealing with Trauma module really developed my understanding of different approaches and responses to trauma. 

What was the best part of your course? 

I loved working alongside a cohort of knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate practitioners. Having time together to share ideas as well as encourage and support each other was so valuable. I enjoyed completing the title-less assignments as they enabled me to take my own interests and curiosity further to support my learning and understanding.  

How have you been supported on the course?

We were given time to discuss our ideas for assignments or our dissertation throughout the course. Having this time with our course mates was really useful. For each module we were able to have a 1-1 session with our tutor which was a useful time to think critically about our research and to gain advice on where to go next.

If you were working while studying, how did you manage to balance job/course (and personal life)? 

I decided to work part-time whilst I was completing the course. This enabled me to have dedicated days focused on my study. As a teacher, I was also able to use the half term breaks as time to focus on my assignments and independent study.

Why do you think students should come to Nottingham to study this course?

If you are interested in supporting your workplace become more trauma informed or to learn more about different approaches to supporting those who have experienced trauma, then this course is for you. 

Do you have any advice for someone considering the course?

Don’t feel like you don’t know enough about trauma to do this course. Everyone who takes part in the MA Trauma Informed Practice has something valuable to bring to discussions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, challenge yourself and keep an open mind. 

Matthew Frazer

Year of Graduation: 2023
Home country: UK

Why did you choose to study at the University of Nottingham?

As one of the most highly regarded universities in the world, the University of Nottingham was always the first option for me when studying to further my career. Renowned for its research contributions in a wide range of areas, Nottingham leads from the front, being home to experts in the field of psychology, sociology, and counselling and psychotherapy. As a psychotherapist specialising in trauma, the course in ‘trauma informed practice’ offered the perfect solution when wishing to deepen my understanding of the wider implications of psychological trauma within our modern-day society and within historical context.  

How has the course helped with your career?

The course has opened new avenues of practice and presents the potential for further research in areas of professional interest. Gaining an understanding of what it means to be trauma informed enables me to advise in areas within the psychotherapeutic field and far beyond, raising awareness across a broad scope of professional and public services where advise may be sought. I highly recommend the course for both continued professional and personal development.
 
Was there a particular module that you enjoyed the most?

All the modules on the course help develop the student’s knowledge base, opening up many avenues for rewarding research. I found myself fascinated by subject areas I had not previously considered. Its important to have an open mind and see where the course journey takes you.

What was the best part of your course? 

It would be hard to single out any one part of the course for special mention as every aspect of the course is relevant and falls into place presenting a wider tapestry of knowledge.  

How have you been supported on the course?

The teaching staff and guest speakers have been second to none. Support was excellent throughout the course and the strong bond and friendships formed with my peers heightened the sense of belonging I felt whilst studying at the university. The disability support team also made my time as easy as possible being friendly and approachable.

If you were working while studying, how did you manage to balance job/course (and personal life)? 

The course is spread over a two-year period and this allowed me to carry on working with clients whilst taking time out to write, read and meet module requirements without too much difficulty.

Why do you think students should come to Nottingham to study this course?

The course allows for a deeper exploration into the world of psychological trauma and how we as a society, and unique individuals, can gain awareness, remain aware and be alert to the impact of trauma on humanity. It explores what we can put in place to help heal and alleviate suffering, through understanding perspectives such as policy change, community intervention, and support routes. 

If you have an interest in psychological trauma, I wholly recommend this course. I have enjoyed my time at the University of Nottingham immensely and would not hesitate to study with the university in the future. 

Natalie West 

Year of Graduation: 2023
Home country: UK

Why did you choose to study at the University of Nottingham?

A few reasons really; I wanted to study with a Russell Group university, one of the top research universities in the country. As a Nottingham resident it is local to me and this felt important as I wanted to maximise the time I could allocate to my studies and not need to travel so far away. I used to work for the university and so felt connected to it in various ways.

How do you hope the course will help with your career or further study?

Having an MA Trauma Informed Practice from the University of Nottingham is like having a protective shield in terms of working in the difficult sector that is domestic violence and abuse. I feel it is a necessary validation of ability. I am not sure yet that I want to continue with studying, as I am happy in my career path as  a counsellor and psychotherapist, although the pull of a doctorate is quite strong!  I still dream of writing so I’m hoping it will help me write a book of some kind. It has definitely helped me feel more capable. 

Was there a particular module that you enjoyed the most?

I enjoyed a number of the online presentations we had in the first year in terms of learning, Compassion and Green Cloud were of particular interest to me as they felt authentic and inline with my own ways of working.  But in terms of a full module, it would have to be Trauma and the Community; I enjoyed learning more about therapeutic communities and loved undertaking the book review and case study in this module. 

I also enjoyed individual assessments in each of the other modules, such as policy review, presentation and research poster as they all pushed me outside of my comfort zones and encouraged me to really think through my understanding and be creative. 

What was the best part of your course? 

As the cohort that studied trauma whilst in a global pandemic, it was incredibly tough. Having a supportive group online helped us all get through at the time, but finally getting to meet our cohort and the teaching staff in person, at the beginning of the second year, was absolutely the best part for me, developing lasting relationships and being seen as a professional by other professionals.   

How have you been supported on the course?

I have been supported as well as was possible in a global pandemic. I always felt that everyone at the university was doing their best in incredibly challenging times. Whilst the course clearly had to change to go online, it was maintained as well as possible by our course leader, Gary, and the team. Tutoring staff would always ensure we knew they could be contacted if we were struggling at any time and they would get back as soon as they could. I only had to contact Student Services a couple of times from start to finish in the process and they were always really helpful.

If you were working while studying, how did you manage to balance job/course (and personal life)?

I worked full-time hours over 4 days, sometimes 4.5 days. As this was in the pandemic, it was incredibly difficult to maintain balance, however, being organised really helped. I found that timetabling was essential for me to maintain a little bit of space for every area of life; this would not always go to plan however, and so being flexible and re-planning was essential. This was a constant task for me as well as the actual studying itself. I would block out all day on a Friday and Saturday day-time and use that time as effectively as I could. As my studies got more intense in the second year, I would do what I could either before or after work most days. 

I made sure I saw my friends and family in the evenings and tried to keep Sundays as free as I could for recovery. I walked miles, gave myself head space and watched good films or TV series later in the evenings to unwind. I also got married whilst doing my MA, I’ve no idea how we managed to do that as well! 

Why do you think students should come to Nottingham to study this course?

It’s expansive, it’s changed the way I think, the way I see myself professionally, and it gives you a step to whatever’s next. You find new colleagues, new contacts, new friends, and a sense of belonging to an institution with real history.

Do you have any advice for someone considering the course?

Be ready, be organised, know what your interest is but be prepared that you may find new ones.  Be ready to read, a lot. Be ready to push yourself, be creative. Enjoy the process. Don’t be a hermit, ask for help. 

Anything else you'd like to add about the course or your time studying at the university?

Some people are natural studiers and researchers, I envy those people!  Doing this MA at Nottingham has helped me feel I can be part of the conversation and actually I’ve got quite a lot to say!  Whether you’re a natural or not is irrelevant really, being enthusiastic and willing to learn, and challenge yourself are equally as important as being a natural researcher. It is worth trying, and succeeding; it can be quite painful at times! But it is absolutely worth it.