Our Mission
Mission Statement
The Coffman-Crothers Training Program for Trauma and Psychological Health based at the Clinical Center at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale is dedicated to establishing and funding a psychological training program focused on treating adults with complex trauma and dissociation. Future trainings may focus on additional psychological health issues.
National and international Trauma and Dissociation experts are consulted by Coffman-Crothers to ensure that the trauma and dissociation training opportunities provided meets the evidenced-based professional standards and best practices established by the American Psychological Association
Coffman-Crothers is committed to giving SIU graduate students opportunities for training in complex trauma and dissociation for them to develop the unique skills necessary to provide appropriate counseling services to survivors of trauma and dissociation.
In addition, Coffman-Crothers will include University faculty and staff and community licensed or certified psychologists and counselors in training opportunities that are designed to equip them with the unique therapeutic skills necessary to provide treatment to adult survivors of complex trauma or dissociation.
The training may include workshops, seminars, symposium, or a conference.
Strategic Plan
Goal 1: To provide the highest quality clinical training opportunities in complex trauma and dissociation to graduate students at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
Goal 2: To provide the highest quality clinical training opportunities in adult complex trauma and disassociation to the licensed or certified psychology and counselor faculty and staff at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
Goal 3: To provide the highest quality clinical training opportunities in complex trauma and dissociation to licensed or certified psychologists and counselors serving the residents of southern Illinois, the region, or nation.
Goal 4: The best practices clinical training in complex trauma and dissociation provided by Coffman-Crothers to SIUC and southern Illinois licensed or certified psychologists and counselors will give clients and patients at SIUC and in southern Illinois with access to the highest quality client services available to improve their overall psychological health and well-being.
History
Dr, Crothers began her association with SIUC as a high school theater intern in the summer of 1968. She returned to SIU as a freshman in 1969. In addition to being a 3-degree graduate, Dr. Crothers also worked as a student worker, civil service, extra help, administrative professional, and faculty employee. She clearly has demonstrated her longtime commitment to SIUC and southern Illinois.
Dr. Crothers is a survivor of complex trauma and dissociation. Searching for a professional therapist, she was fortunate to be referred to Dr. Coffman. While complex trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder were rarely mentioned in the professional literature at the time, Dr. Coffman diligently provided compassionate and caring treatment to Dr. Crothers. Dr. Coffman searched out and participated in as much training as she could to effectively treat Dr. Crothers and other clients. With Dr. Coffman’s support, Dr. Crothers entered a trauma in-patient hospital unit and was diagnosed with PTSD and dissociation. After she returned home, she continued treatment with Dr. Coffman until they agreed that Dr. Crothers was stable and could be discharged. This Training Program is named in her honor in recognition of the Dr. Coffman’s dedication and compassionate care and treatment to Dr. Crothers and other trauma survivors. Treatment options for complex trauma and dissociation have grown in the last few years; however, comprehensive training for licensed or certified psychologists and counselors especially in rural areas is lacking. This Program intends to change that.