What Trauma Research Foundation does

Trauma Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational and research organization founded in 2021 by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, author of "The Body Keeps the Score." Headquartered virtually in Needham, Massachusetts (117 Kendrick Street, Suite 300), the foundation supports and grows a community of clinicians, researchers, educators, and people affected by trauma. Its core product portfolio includes the Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate Program (with a Supervised Edition launching Fall 2026), the BCIA- and APA-accredited Neurofeedback Training Program (Foundations at $3,375), the annual International Trauma Conference (37th in Boston, May 2026; 38th co-hosted with The New School in NYC, May 2027), and supporting offerings such as Dialogues in Trauma Research, Inspired Parenting, Integrated Attachment Family Therapy, the TRF Book Club, and the Integrate mind-body webinar series.

The underlying technology is concentrated in trauma-informed neurofeedback (EEG-based brain training using high-frequency protocols plus Alpha Theta and Infra-Low Frequency modalities), evidence-based clinical approaches (EMDR, somatic therapy, yoga, MDMA-assisted therapy research), and a cohort-based Research Catalyzer/Nonprofit Fortifier scholarship framework. The foundation funds external research through grants to institutions in the USA, Switzerland, Rwanda, and Romania but does not conduct its own clinical research or operate as a clinical setting.

The business model combines philanthropic revenue (tax-deductible donations accepted via check, stock, donor-advised funds, and planned giving) with fee-based professional education (certificate programs, neurofeedback training, group supervision at $600), event-driven conference registration (in-person $695, virtual $250 super early bird), and one-time educational content sales (Foundations in Understanding Trauma at $225). Distribution is primarily self-serve via website enrollment, supplemented by strategic partnerships with Sadar Psychological Services (neurofeedback delivery), Newman Institute (Spanish-language Latin America distribution), and The New School (2027 conference co-host). Leadership comprises Founder Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and Chief Science Officer Dr. Wendy D'Andrea.

Name

Trauma Research Foundation

Legal name

Trauma Research Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://traumaresearchfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Trauma Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Bessel van der Kolk that delivers trauma-focused professional training, certification programs, and an annual international conference to clinicians, researchers, and educators worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Mental Health Training and Certification

NAICS

Educational Support Services (6117), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

MHPSS & Trauma-Informed Support for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAJ), Trauma-Informed & Resilience-Building Programs (Early Childhood) (EDACAOAD), Child Development, Behavior Guidance & Trauma-Informed Practice Training (EDACAIAG)

Keywords

• Trauma professional training
• Mental health certification
• Neurofeedback training
• Continuing education clinicians
• Trauma research grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Needham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting trauma research and education. Accepts gifts via check, stock, donor advised funds, and planned giving (bequests, charitable remainder trusts, retirement plan assets).
2. Professional Training Programs: Fee-based certification and training programs for mental health professionals including Neurofeedback Training (Foundations program $3,375, Trauma-Informed program pricing TBA) and Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate programs.
3. Conference Registration: Revenue from annual international trauma conference tickets - in-person ($695 super early bird) and virtual ($250 super early bird) attendance options with CE credits.
4. Educational Content Sales: Sales of educational materials including Foundations in Understanding Trauma course ($225), and book club resources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Trauma Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers professional training programs, certifications, and an annual international trauma conference for clinicians, researchers, and trauma-affected communities. It funds trauma research through a research pillar and provides structured learning pathways including a Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate, a BCIA-accredited Neurofeedback Training Program, group supervision, and foundational courses. Programs are delivered online, in-person, and in Spanish, and are anchored by the institution founded and led by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk.

Product overview

Trauma Research Foundation operates as a nonprofit educational and research organization rather than a traditional technology company. Its offerings center on professional training programs and educational resources for trauma treatment. The portfolio includes the Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate Program (core credential), the Neurofeedback Training Program with Foundational and Trauma-Informed tracks, and the flagship Annual International Trauma Conference. Supporting offerings include Group Supervision, the free Dialogues in Trauma Research program, Inspired Parenting, TRF Book Club, and the Integrate: Mind-Body Practice webinar series. Research initiatives include the upcoming Research Institute with Research Catalyzer and Nonprofit Fortifier programs, plus ongoing grants to international research institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Traumatic Stress Studies (TSS) Certificate Program A multi-part professional certificate program designed for clinicians, counselors, and other mental health practitioners seeking formal training in traumatic stress studies.
• Neurofeedback Training Program A BCIA-accredited neurofeedback training course covering foundational neurofeedback protocols for licensed mental health professionals seeking certification. Listed at $3,375 and taught by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk.
• Annual International Trauma Conference The foundation's flagship annual gathering for clinicians, researchers, and trauma professionals, offering keynote talks, workshops, and continuing education. In-person tickets priced at $695 and virtual tickets at $250.
• Group Supervision & Consultation Program A group-format clinical supervision and consultation service for mental health professionals integrating trauma-focused work into their practice. Listed at $600.
• Foundational Learning Program An entry-level foundational learning course required as a prerequisite for the Neurofeedback Training Program, covering core concepts in understanding trauma. "Foundations in Understanding Trauma" listed at $225 for 8 hours of instruction.
• Integrated Attachment Family Therapy (IAFT) A family-therapy focused training program within the foundation's curriculum for clinicians working with attachment and family-based trauma.
• Spanish-Language Trauma Education Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 professionals certified through Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate Program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sadar Psychological ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary training partner for Neurofeedback Training Program. Sadar Psychological developed custom curriculum aligned with Dr. van der Kolk's trauma work. Provides BCIA-approved training, expert instructors, and mentorship for clinicians becoming trauma-informed neurofeedback providers.
• Newman InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLatin American partnership to deliver Spanish-language Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate. Newman Institute leads delivery in Latin America with sensitive pricing for regional economic realities. Partnership addresses language barrier limiting access for Spanish-speaking clinicians.
• The New SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of 38th Annual International Trauma Conference (May 2027, NYC). Alignment of values around innovation, critical inquiry, and social change. The New School is the only US university excelling in both research and arts.
• PESIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcknowledged for support and partnership in making the Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies Program possible. PESI provides operational support for professional education programs.
• Amedco LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly accredited continuing education provider partnering with Sadar Psychological for APA credit designation. ACCME, ACPE, and ANCC accredited for healthcare team education.
• Holistic Life FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured in TRF Book Club Season 3 discussing 'Let Your Light Shine: How Mindfulness Can Empower Children and Rebuild Communities'. Founders Ali Smith, Atman Smith, and Andres Gonzalez led mindfulness programming.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Trauma Center at JRI: Justice Resource Institute's Trauma Center conducts clinical research and provides trauma treatment, originally co-founded by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk; directly comparable research and clinical focus on developmental trauma.
• PESI: Large behavioral health continuing education provider offering trauma-focused training for mental health professionals; already an acknowledged TRF partner and operates in adjacent trauma and CE curriculum areas.
• NICABM: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine provides online continuing education and training for mental health clinicians, including trauma-focused content with similar target audience.
• EMDR Institute: Provides EMDR training and certification for mental health professionals treating trauma, directly competing in the trauma clinician training space with similar certification programs and CE credits.
• Polyvagal Institute: Founded by Stephen Porges, focuses on polyvagal theory-based trauma treatment education with similar mission of training clinicians and disseminating trauma neuroscience through conferences and certification.

Others

• International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS): Leading academic professional organization for trauma stress research and treatment; complements TRF's research pillar with a broader academic membership and annual research conference.
• HeartMath Institute: Nonprofit research and education organization focused on heart-brain coherence and biofeedback; adjacent to TRF's neurofeedback and body-mind practice training focus.
• National Center for PTSD: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs research and education center on PTSD; conducts parallel trauma research and clinician training with shared evidence-based treatment focus.
• Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA): Certification body that approves TRF's Neurofeedback Training curriculum; operates in the same biofeedback/neurofeedback training ecosystem as TRF's partner Sadar Psychological.

Broad incumbents

• Sounds True: Multimedia publishing and educational platform for mindfulness, self-regulation, and trauma-related content with broader wellness catalog; overlaps with TRF's somatic library and educational content mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TraumaResearchFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/traumaresearchfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trauma-research-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/traumaresearchfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Trauma Research Foundation