Financial Trauma-Informed Specialist eSchool 2026
Financial Trauma-Informed Specialist eSchool 2026
Overview
Financial Trauma-Informed Specialist eSchool prepares financial counselors to recognize and respond to the impact of financial trauma on members' behaviors, decision-making, and long-term financial wellness. As the first designation of its kind designed specifically for financial counseling professionals, this program combines trauma-informed care principles, financial psychology, and behavior-change coaching strategies within a credit union context.
Through four interactive sessions, participants will explore how trauma influences financial habits, communication, trust, and member engagement. Learners will gain practical tools to support members with empathy, reduce shame and avoidance behaviors, and promote sustainable financial recovery, while remaining within the professional scope of financial counseling.
Participants who successfully complete all program requirements will earn the Financial Trauma-Informed Specialist (FTIS)™ designation.
This advanced designation requires the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC)™ designation.
What you’ll learn
- How financial trauma shapes financial behaviors, decision-making, and member interactions
- Common financial flashpoints and trauma-driven money scripts
- Trauma-informed coaching techniques that foster trust, autonomy, and long-term behavior change
- Strategies for supporting members facing complex financial and emotional situations
- The role culture, stress, and lived experiences play in financial wellness
- Practical approaches for guiding financial recovery conversations with empathy and professionalism
Who should attend
- Credit union financial coaches and counseling professionals
- Member wellness and financial education teams
- Credit unions with established counseling or coaching programs
- Professionals supporting members experiencing financial stress, hardship, or financial trauma
Designations
This learning opportunity is part of the complete Center for Professional Development (CPD) eSchools & Webinars series. Subscribe to get access to this webinar or eSchool, along with over 80+ webinars & eSchools covering critical topics for you and all your staff.
Schedule
Wednesday, September 9 | 10:00—11:30 a.m. CST
Learning objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Define financial trauma
- Identify financial flashpoints
- Recognize financial trauma responses in members
Thursday, September 10 | 10:00—11:30 a.m. CST
Learning objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Identify money scripts
- Recognize trauma-driven behaviors
- Respond appropriately to resistance
Wednesday, September 16 | 10:00—11:30 a.m. CST
Learning objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Recognize systemic financial influences
- Identify barriers experienced by special populations
- Recognize scope limitations
Thursday, September 17 | 10:00—11:30 a.m. CST
Learning objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Apply trauma-informed coaching strategies
- Support behavior change safely
- Promote financial stability
Pricing & Registration
Member discounts
All credit unions are invited to register for this event. Members are eligible for significant discounts.
Small CU Pricing: Available to members of America’s CUs with assets of $50M or less.
Multi-attendee discount: Register 4 attendees and get the 5th free (please include all registrations in the same order for the discount to apply).
Note: Only one discount can be applied per registration. If a registration qualifies for more than one discount, the highest-value discount will automatically be applied at checkout. Unsure of your eligibility or need help accessing member pricing? Contact us at (800) 356-9655 or [email protected].
Attendee Info
Code of conduct
We are committed to making every event experience welcoming, respectful, and safe.
How to access
America’s Credit Unions hosts events on the following platforms:
- Zoom: All virtual events are hosted on Zoom. Some on-demand recordings are also available on this platform.
- Vimeo: Some on-demand events are available on Vimeo.
Your event platform will be communicated via email before the event.
Access instructions for virtual events
Virtual cancellations and substitutions
- Cancellations must be submitted in writing to [email protected] with a brief explanation. Cancellations received more than seven days before the event are subject to a 25% administrative fee. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received within seven days of the event.
- Substitutions are accepted before the start of the program. Additional fees may apply. Please include the event name, current participant, and new participant name when requesting a substitution.
On-demand cancellations and issues
All purchases are final. If your digital product arrives defective or incorrect, contact us within 48 hours of delivery. We will issue a replacement or refund at our discretion.
For questions, email [email protected].
FAQs
Financial trauma refers to the lasting emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of distressing financial experiences, such as job loss, housing instability, debt, financial abuse, or chronic financial stress. The FTIS™ program helps financial counselors recognize how these experiences can influence member behaviors, decision-making, and financial well-being.
The CCUFC™ designation provides a foundation in financial counseling and member financial wellness. The FTIS™ designation is an advanced credential that builds on those skills by focusing specifically on trauma-informed approaches, financial psychology, behavior change, and member communication. Participants must already hold the CCUFC™ designation before pursuing FTIS™.
No. The FTIS™ designation is designed for financial counselors, financial coaches, and member wellness professionals working in credit unions. The program teaches trauma-informed financial counseling practices within the professional scope of financial counseling and does not require clinical or therapeutic training. In fact, those who have the CCUFC™ and FTIS™ will not and cannot give mental health guidance. CCUFC™ and FTIS™ designees are there to help guide members through financial issues only.
No. The FTIS™ designation focuses on recognizing trauma-informed financial behaviors and adapting counseling approaches to better support members. It does not train participants to diagnose, treat, or provide therapy for trauma. Those who have the CCUFC™ and FTIS™ will not and cannot diagnose or treat any conditions. CCUFC™ and FTIS™ designees are there to help guide members through financial issues only.
Participants learn practical techniques to build trust, reduce shame and avoidance behaviors, improve communication, and support sustainable financial behavior change. These skills can help members feel more understood and empowered during challenging financial situations.
Participants are expected to complete all program requirements. Session recordings are available after the live eSchool, allowing learners to review content and complete the designation requirements if they miss a live session. The program requires participants to participate in the live webinars or watch the four recorded webinars and then pass the Financial Trauma-Informed Specialist exam with an 80% or higher.
The exam is designed to assess understanding and application of the concepts taught throughout the program. Participants who actively engage in the sessions, complete the reflection activities, and review the course materials should be well prepared for the assessment.
The FTIS™ designation was developed to help credit union professionals better understand the connection between financial experiences, member behavior, and financial wellness. The program applies trauma-informed principles within the unique relationship-based service model of credit unions.
