The Resilient Heart™ –
Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath® Certification
Integrate HeartMath’s technology, science, and techniques into clinical settings for providing
trauma-informed care.
This certification is for professionals working in a therapeutic relationship with individuals who have experienced trauma.
This HeartMath certification course is taught by licensed trauma specialists for professionals and others who provide or would like to provide trauma-informed care in therapeutic relationships.
The program is for certified professionals who provide or would like to provide trauma-informed care within a therapeutic relationship — such as trauma therapists and licensed and certified health professionals, including marriage and family therapists, social workers, psychotherapists, licensed chaplains, pastoral counselors, and peer-to-peer counselors.
This trauma-sensitive certification course contains over 12 hours of trauma-focused video content, providing a rich expanse of information and expertise across topics, including the neurophysiology of trauma, developmental trauma, collective trauma, and how to integrate HeartMath into the different therapeutic modalities used to treat trauma.
This training includes HeartMath’s home-use coherence feedback sensor and app, the Inner Balance Coherence PlusInner Balance Coherence Plus, along with supplemental training on how to integrate HeartMath technology into clinical environments for trauma-informed care. Train clients virtually, in the office, or clients can train at home.
Learn more about the Inner Balance Coherence Plus
Inner Balance Coherence Plus
HRV coherence feedback sensor and app to train in the office or at home.
- Easy to implement into your practice.
- Clients can train at home or in-office.
- Raise heart coherence with real time feedback and guided techniques.
- Includes hours of guided training, techniques, and courses
- Lifetime access to the HeartMath app with continually updated learning
Price: $449
Price includes the certification training with a 40% discount on technology. Purchase the training alone for $$299.
Inner Balance Coherence Plus
HRV coherence feedback sensor and app to train in the office or at home.
- Easy to implement into your practice.
- Clients can train at home or in-office.
- Raise heart coherence with real time feedback and guided techniques.
- Includes hours of guided training, techniques, and courses
- Lifetime access to the HeartMath app with continually updated learning
This beautifully filmed course combines masterful knowledge, intuitive wisdom, and powerfully emotional stories from trauma practitioners around the world, woven together with compelling cinematic moments to create a distinctly unique and engaging course that is both educational and heartwarming to watch.
The HeartMath tools and techniques taught in this course are intended as an adjunctive skill set for practitioners to facilitate a variety of trauma-focused therapies aimed at improving the symptoms associated with trauma. HeartMath is not meant to replace other trauma-focused therapies or be used in isolation for trauma processing.
This program is ideal for practitioners who work with clients virtually or in person.
Register for The Resilient Heart
Includes the Inner Balance Coherence Plus sensor, app, and training for professional use in-office or for your clients to practice at home.
Enroll NowPrice: $449, includes the Inner Balance Coherence Plus at a 40% discount
This certification is available without the Inner Balance Coherence Plus. Purchase here for $299.
Self-Paced Learning with Live Q&A Sessions
Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath Certification
12 Hours of Self-Paced Videos
Comprehensive trauma-informed knowledge, wisdom, and practical tips from 20 practitioners experienced in treating trauma.
HeartMath Skill Set Including 6 Techniques
Learn and teach 6 evidence-based HeartMath self-regulation techniques in a trauma-sensitive manner.
Monthly Q&A with HeartMath Certified Trauma Specialists
Join monthly Q&A sessions with trauma specialists experienced in integrating HeartMath techniques into different trauma treatment modalities.
Personal Practice and Self-Reflection
Key to your own well-being is the ability to self-regulate and connect more deeply with your own heart.
Upon successful completion of the final exam, your certificate will read: Certified Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath Certified Practitioner.*
*While enrollment is open to all, certification is only for those holding a current mental health or health care license or related certification.
Also included in this course is a Comprehensive Resource Library, which includes course notes, client handouts, and over 50 related research publications.
In This Course, You Will:
- Learn practical tools to use “in the moment” that build resilience and improve the capacity for emotional regulation for yourself and your clients or patients.
- Learn about heart rate variability (HRV) as a measure of physiological regulation and how to use HRV biofeedback as an additional tool for self-regulation.
- Learn to use and teach the HeartMath skill set in a trauma-sensitive manner.
- Learn how to integrate HeartMath’s home-use technology, app, and science-based techniques into clinical settings for trauma-informed care with clients.
- Gain foundational, up-to-date knowledge about the neurophysiology of trauma, attachment, developmental trauma, intergenerational trauma, and collective trauma.
- Discover how to integrate HeartMath with other trauma-focused therapies, including EMDR, Brainspotting, somatic psychotherapies, exposure, and wilderness therapy.
- Learn new and powerful perspectives of how the intelligence of the heart can help to address some of the most challenging aspects of trauma’s impact on the mind and body.
Attend Live Q&A Sessions
Join the trauma-sensitive HeartMath community with monthly online Q&A sessions designed for health professionals to deepen their HeartMath skills and knowledge. The sessions are led by Dr. Jorina Elbers or other trauma specialists experienced in integrating HeartMath techniques into different trauma therapies. These Q&A Zoom calls are held on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 10 am PT.
Register for The Resilient Heart
Includes the Inner Balance Coherence Plus sensor, app, and training for professional use in-office or for your clients to practice at home.
Enroll NowPrice: $449, includes the Inner Balance Coherence Plus at a 40% discount
This certification is available without the Inner Balance Coherence Plus. Purchase here for $299.
Instructors for This Course:
Learn from highly skilled practitioners specializing in a wide variety of trauma-focused therapies, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Brainspotting, Hakomi, Somatic Experiencing, wilderness therapy, acupuncture, and Polarity Therapy.
Your Core Trainers:
Steve Sawyer, LCSW, CSAC; Dr. Sara Gilman, PsyD, LMFT; Susann von Meijenfeldt, RSW, CPCC, CHT; and Sheva Carr, MA, LAc, BCPP, RPP, RPE
Learn from medical and science experts about the neurophysiology of trauma, the neurophysiology of emotions, and heart-brain interactions:
Dr. Jorina Elbers, MD, MSc, and Rollin McCraty, PhD
Special Guest Interviews With:
Dr. Daniel Siegel, MD; Drs. John Gottman, PhD, and Julie Gottman, PhD; and Thomas Hübl
From the Front Lines
Nine long-time HeartMath Certified Practitioners share in-depth stories, revealing their success in using HeartMath with the different populations they serve:
- Refugees
- Veterans
- At-promise youth
- Perpetrators
- Survivors of human trafficking
- Incarcerated women
- Adults with brain injuries
- Children and teens
Course Content: 8 Parts and Supplemental Technology Training
Part One: Heart-Focused Care for the Caregiver
Your capacity to care for others depends on how you care for yourself. Part One includes heart-focused tools for building your own resilience and introduces the concept of "HeartSpace," which facilitates co-regulation and attunement between you and your client/patient.
Part Two: Understanding the Impact of Trauma
The impact of trauma is psychological, physiological, and relational, interfering with our health, our well-being, and our ability to relate to others. Part Two reviews the neurophysiology of trauma and how to introduce HeartMath tools and techniques to clients for emotional self-regulation.
Part Three: Resetting a New Pattern for the Nervous System
Regular practice of techniques for emotional and physiological regulation widens our “Window of Tolerance” and increases our resilience. Part Three discusses the concepts of bottom-up processing, heart rate variability, and coherence to create a new physiological baseline for the nervous system.
Part Four: From Chaos to Coherence
Coherence is an optimal physiological state arising from integration and enables greater access to the intuitive self. Part Four discusses how integration of trauma creates coherence and how this can be utilized to increase our wisdom and access to our inner guidance system.
Part Five: Integrating the Heart, Mind and Body for Trauma Healing
HeartMath tools and techniques can be used as an adjunctive skill set for the treatment of trauma. Part Five discusses how to integrate the HeartMath skill set into a variety of trauma-focused therapies and across different client populations.
Part Six: Rebuilding Trust and Relationships
Trauma interferes with our relationship with others and with ourselves. Part Six deals with the relational impact of trauma and how HeartMath techniques can be used to create a bridge for trauma survivors to safely reconnect with themselves and with others to foster trust and relationships.
Part Seven: Teaching a Child to Love Again
Whether you work with children or with adults who used to be children, knowledge about childhood trauma and attachment is essential. Part Seven discusses the signs of trauma in children, how attachment patterns influence their response to traumatic events, how to use HeartMath with children and parents, and how to help communities heal intergenerational trauma.
Part Eight: The Collective Experience of Trauma and Healing
Trauma is a collective experience with shadows that affect us all. Part Eight discusses the impact of collective trauma, how to facilitate and use HeartMath for group trauma processing, and the concept of post-traumatic growth and resilience.
Supplemental Training: Video training on how to integrate HeartMath’s home-use coherence sensor, the Inner Balance Coherence Plus, and the HeartMath app into a clinical practice.
Eligibility for HeartMath Certification
Course enrollment is open to everyone.
Eligibility for Acknowledgement of Completion (non-certification)
While this course was designed for healthcare professionals, and the certification is only available to certified health professionals, the information provided in the course can also be beneficial for personal use.
A document acknowledging course completion will be issued to eligible learners who choose to take the multiple-choice question exam and pass with >75% correct. Repeated attempts at the exam are accepted to obtain the passing mark.
For those who are not eligible healthcare providers, course completion does not grant the legal ability to teach HeartMath or work with others using these techniques.
Eligibility Criteria to Become a Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath® Certified Practitioner
Eligible healthcare professionals can become certified as a Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath® Certified Practitioner by completing the course and passing with >75% correct on a multiple-choice exam. Repeated attempts at the exam are accepted to obtain the passing mark.
- This course was created by a neurologist and trauma specialists proficient in using HeartMath techniques in therapy and provides foundational, up-to-date knowledge on the neurophysiology of traumatic stress, attachment, developmental trauma, intergenerational trauma, and collective trauma.
- This course was designed to teach health practitioners how to integrate the HeartMath skill set into their work with clients in a trauma-sensitive manner.
- This course is not intended to train individuals to become trauma therapists and should not be considered a substitute for proper licensure or certification in trauma healing modalities.
- The HeartMath skill set helps to build a client's capacities for resilience, emotional regulation, and reconnection with their heart and sense of self-security following trauma.
- Professional Standards
State, provincial, or nationally licensed or certified professionals as listed below: - Licensed Mental Health Professionals
- Licensed Medical Professionals
- Certified Health Professionals (training must include consultation, mentoring, in-person training, or internship)
- Licensed Pastoral Counselors
- Students in a licensure-track medical or mental health educational program
- PLEASE NOTE: All applicants must meet the specific criteria of the Eligible Professional List (NO EXCEPTIONS).
List of Eligible Professionals
Minimum training requirements: 200+ hours of instruction and live interaction with the instructor to assure clinical competence.
Note: Equivalent certifying bodies in countries outside the US may be acceptable.
HeartMath Certified Coach/Mentor/Trainer status is not a qualification for a Health Professional Certification.
Life, personal, and business coaches are not eligible for Health Professional Certification but may take our Building Personal Resilience training program.
Licensure track health professional students who’ve completed their first year are eligible and must submit a transcript during the certification process.
Trauma therapy and psychotherapy practitioners must have a mental health/medical master's/doctoral degree from an accredited university.
Qualified health professionals’ primary occupation must be in an eligible modality unless you were a licensed health professional.
If you have questions about your professional eligibility for certification, please complete this Certification Eligibility Request form.
Have a modality that's not listed? Fill out the eligibility form.
Licensed Mental Health Professionals
- Addictions, Alcohol and Drug, Chemical Dependency/Substance Abuse Counselor
- Behavioral Health Technicians and Specialists
- Behavioral Therapist - EIDBI Level 2 (Minnesota)
- Behavior Analyst or Specialist (board certified)
- EMDR Practitioner
- Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary
- Hakomi Practitioner
- Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor (Washington State)
- Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Psychoanalyst
- Psychologist
- Psychologist Assistant
- Psychotherapist
- Recreational Therapist certified by NCTRC
- Recreational Therapy Aide
- Registered Clinical Counsellor
- School Counselor
- Social Worker - LCsw, MSW, ASW, etc.
- Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
- Somatosensory Integration Practitioner
- Sports Psychologist
- Speech Language Pathologist and Therapist
- Vocational Rehabilitation Professional, Certified
Licensed Medical Professionals
- Acupuncturist
- Aesthetician
- Audiologist
- Chiropractor
- Dental Hygienist, Registered
- Dentist
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer certified by ARDMS
- Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist certified by ARRT
- Doctor of Naprapathic Medicine
- Doctor of Oriental Medicine
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Medical Assistant certified by the NHA, AAMA, NCCT, or AMT
- Medical Doctor (MD, DO, MBBS)
- Medical Technologist certified by ASCP
- Midwife
- Naturopath
- Nurse – LPN, LVN, RN, BSN, MSN, PhD, Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Nurse
- Nurse Aid, Certified
- Nursing Associates registered with the NWC (UK)
- Optometrist
- Paramedic
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacy Assistant, PTCE certified
- Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Physiotherapist
- Physician Assistant
- Podiatrist
- Registered Dietician
- Registered Massage Therapist
- Registered Radiologic Technologist
- Respiratory Therapist
- Qualified Mental Health Professional
- Veterinarian
Certified Health Professionals
Minimum training requirements: 200+ hours of instruction and live interaction with the instructor to assure clinical competence.
- Alexander Technique – certified by an AmSAT-certified teacher
- Anat Baniel Method NeuroMovement Practitioner
- Amatsu Practitioner
- Art Therapist from a program accredited by the American Art Therapy Association
- Ayurvedic Practitioners certified by NAMA-approved programs
- Behavioral Activation Practitioner
- Biblical Counselor certified by ACBC
- Biodynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release Facilitator
- Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist
- Bioenergy Therapist (Zdenko Domančić Method)
- Biofeedback Technician - certified by BCIA
- Biofeedback Practitioner - certified by BCIA
- BodyTalk Practitioner, Advanced Certified
- Bowenwork Practitioner certified by American Bowen Academy or the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia or the BATP
- Brainspotting Practitioner
- Breen Practitioner
- Brennan Healing Science Practitioner
- Case Managers, Medical
- Certified Natural Health Professional certified by TSNH
- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist – certified by the NSTRC
- CHEK Practitioner level 2 certified by the CHEK Institute
- Child Life Specialist
- Core Energetics Practiioner
- Craniosacral Therapist certified by the Upledger Institute or the Pacific Association of Craniosacral Therapists
- Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner
- Emotional Freedom Technique Practitioner certified by ACEP or EFT International
- Ultimate EFT Certification Program certified by EFT Universe
- Evidence Based EFT (EBEFT) Premium by Evidence Based EFT
- Equine Assisted Therapist
- Exercise Physiologist Clinical
- Feldenkreis Practitioner
- Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner
- Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach
- Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner (FNLP)
- Functional Nutrition Counselor certified by FNA
- Functional Patterns Practitioner
- Hanna Somatic Education® Practitioner
- Healing Touch Practitioner
- Health & Wellness Coaches from programs approved by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching, Health Coach Alliance, or Wellcoaches
- Health Coach certified by ACE
- Health Coach certified by IIN
- Health Coach certified by the Kharrazian Institute
- Health Coach certified by the Kressler Institute
- Health Coach Institute Pathway program graduates
- Note: Other coaches (life, personal, business, etc.) are not eligible. Refer to our Building Personal Resilience program.
- Health Educator certified by NCHEC
- Holistic Health Practitioner from Quantum University
- Homeopath – certified by the CHC, NCHEC, ABHt, HANP, or NASH
- Herbalist registered with AHG or NIMH (UK)
- Hypnotherapist certified by AAPH, ASCH, SCEH, IMDHA, Hypnotherapists Union, American Hypnosis Association, NGH, HMI (720-hour), IIH, HCI Institute, IACT, ACHE, GHSC, QHHT level 2, IBH, NATH-MHT, HMI, Wellness Institute Advanced Internship, (ABH not recognized)
- Hunyuan Qi Therapy
- Institute of BioEnergetic Medicine program graduates
- Internal Family Systems Practitioner certified by IFS
- Kalish Institute Mentorship Certification
- Kinesiologist
- Kinesiopractor certified by ICPKP
- Kinesiotherapist
- Massage Therapist – Licensed or Certified
- Medical Herbalist registered with AHG Certification requirements
- Medical Qigong Practitioner from programs approved by NCCAOM
- Mind Body Eating Coach by the Institute for the Psychology of Eating
- Music Practitioner certified by MHTP
- Music Therapist certified by CBMT or MTA
- Myofascial Release Therapist
- Myofunctional Therapist
- Natural Bioenergetics Practitioner
- Neurofeedback Practitioner – certified by BCIA
- Neurofeedback Technician – certified by BCIA
- Nutrition Therapist Master certified by NTI
- Nutritional Therapy Practitioner certified by NTA or CNM or ION or IINH
- Nutritionist - Advanced Diploma of Clinical Nutrition from NCC
- Nutritionist - Certified Clinical Nutritionist certified by the CNBC
- Nutritionist - Certified Nutritional Practitioner certified by CANNP or IHN
- Nutritionist - Certified Nutritional Professional certified by the NANP
- Nutritionist - Certified Nutrition Specialist certified by BCNS
- Nutritionist - certified by Institute of Holistic Nutrition
- Nutritionist - Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner certified by FNA
- Nutritionist - Holistic Nutritionist certified by the NANP
- Nutritionist - Integrative Nutrition Health Coach certified by IIN
- Nutritionist - Registered Holistic Nutritionist certified by CSNN
- Ordained clergy and chaplains who are graduates of degree-granting institutions
- Ortho-Bionomy Practitioner certified by SOBI
- Osteopathic Manual Practitioner certified by a member of the OIA
- Pilates Teacher – in-person training only
- Polarity Therapists (RPP or RPE only – advanced training required)
- Polysomnographic Technologist
- PSYCH-K (Instructor only)
- Psychometrist
- Quantum Touch Practitioner
- Quantum University, PhD Graduate
- Quantum University, Certified Pro-Consciousness Meditation Health Coach
- Rapid Transformational Therapist
- Registered Professional Counsellor certified by CPCA
- Reflexologist – certified by the American Reflexology Certification Board, CRBC (Canada), or the AOR (UK)
- Reiki (Level III) - in-person training only
- Resonance Repatterning Practitioner certified by RPI
- Respiratory Therapist certified by NBRC
- Restorative Wellness Practitioner, Master by RWS
- Rolfer
- SHEN Therapist
- Shiatsu Practitioner certified by UFPST
- Somatic Education Practitioner, Certified Clinical
- Somatic Movement Educators and Therapists
- Somatic Yoga Practitioner
- Sophrologist - RNCP Certified
- Spiritual Psychology MA Graduates from USM
- Substance Abuse Counselor, Clinical
- Tension and Trauma Release Practitioner certified by TRE
- Terrain Advocate (Dr. Nasha Winters)
- Thought Field Therapy - Advanced Practitioner
- Touch For Health Consultant certified by IKC
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner from programs approved by NCCAOM
- Transformational Breath Facilitator, Level 4
- Trinity School of Natural Health - CNHP, CHHP, CTN
- Yoga Teacher RYT 200+ certified by the Yoga Alliance or World Yoga Federation or the Yoga Institute
- Yoga Therapist
If you have questions about your professional eligibility for certification, please complete this Certification Eligibility Request form.
- Educational Standards
Applicants must achieve >80% on the course final exam. - Required Documentation of Certification Eligibility
Applicants will be required to upload a copy of their professional designation document(s) indicating proof of current licensure, certification, or student status.
Upon receiving certification, licensed and certified health professionals in independent practice can apply to be listed in the HeartMath Directory of Certified Professionals. Listing is at the sole discretion of HeartMath LLC.
NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHES:
HeartMath has been approved to offer continuing education by the following:
The Resilient Heart – Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath Certification course is approved by the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC) for twelve (12) hours of CE credit for recertification. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Register for The Resilient Heart
Includes the Inner Balance Coherence Plus sensor, app, and training for professional use in-office or for your clients to practice at home.
Enroll NowPrice: $449, includes the Inner Balance Coherence Plus at a 40% discount
This certification is available without the Inner Balance Coherence Plus. Purchase here for $299.
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