Traumatology Institute and Psychological Services, Philippines - TIPS

24/09/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 & 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒) 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 (𝐆𝐂𝐀𝐓), 𝐔𝐒𝐀, in the Philippines and the first in Asia. TIPS offers traumatology workshops for professionals, educators, and responders seeking to strengthen their trauma-informed practice.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐆𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.

𝟏. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫?
TIPS offers workshops supporting five levels of GCAT certification:
• Level 1: Compassion Fatigue Educator
• Level 2: Compassion Fatigue Practitioner
• Level 3: Field Traumatologist
• Level 4: Clinical Traumatologist
• Level 5: Master Traumatologist
Completing a workshop does not automatically grant GCAT certification. Certification requires a separate application to GCAT and fulfillment of its requirements.

𝟐. 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬?
Participants should meet the following educational requirements in an allied medical or behavioral science field:
• Levels 1–3: At least a bachelor’s degree.
• Levels 4–5: Currently pursuing a master’s degree or higher.
Eligibility to attend training is separate from eligibility for certification. Clinical and Master Traumatologist certification generally requires a relevant mental health background, graduate education, professional licensure, and work experience. Review GCAT’s requirements for your intended certification before applying.

𝟑. 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
No. TIPS facilitates GCAT-accredited training and workshops. GCAT is the organization authorized to award its traumatology certifications. To apply for official certification, you must become a GCAT member and submit your credentials and training completion certificates directly to GCAT for evaluation and processing.

𝟒. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐆𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
You may begin by attending training offered by TIPS or another GCAT-affiliated training site. You do not need to become a GCAT member before attending TIPS training. When you are ready to apply for certification, you must obtain GCAT membership, submit the required credentials and training certificates, and meet the requirements for your chosen certification. Refer to the GCAT certification requirements for the applicable checklist and pathway.

𝟓. 𝐃𝐨 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫?
You may attend training in any order and timeframe that suit your schedule, provided you meet the applicable entry requirements. However, GCAT certification requires completion of all courses and other requirements listed in the checklist for your chosen certification level.

𝟔. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭?
Consult the GCAT certification checklist for the required courses and credentials. You may complete training before applying for GCAT membership and certification. Attending the required courses alone does not establish eligibility for Clinical Traumatologist certification; GCAT also evaluates the relevant education, professional background, licensure, and other requirements.

𝟕. 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐩𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲, 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠?
Training certificates and GCAT certification do not, by themselves, authorize professional practice in the Philippines or replace the required professional license. Participants must comply with the laws and professional regulations applicable to their work, including the Philippine Psychology Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 10029) and the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004 (Republic Act No. 9258), where applicable. TIPS provides educational training, while GCAT administers its certification process. You must practice within the scope permitted by your professional qualifications and applicable regulations.

𝟖. 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞?
TIPS offers both online and onsite training. The format for each course is stated in the training announcement and registration form. Some courses require onsite participation because of the activities involved and the sensitivity of the topics, allowing facilitators to support participants who experience strong emotional reactions.

𝟗. 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝, 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫, 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬?
No. TIPS training requires attendance and participation in scheduled online or onsite sessions. If you need self-paced learning, you may check with GCAT or the Traumatology Institute of Canada about available options.

𝟏𝟎. 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐈 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠?
Yes. Participants are expected to keep their cameras on and actively participate during online training. Professional conduct and participation are required for both online and onsite courses. Participants who do not participate will not receive a training completion certificate and will be removed in the online training session.

𝟏𝟏. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭?
TIPS generally offers each course once a year. Registration announcements are posted on the TIPS website and social media pages. Visit Upcoming Trainings for schedules, fees, and registration forms.

𝟏𝟐. 𝐃𝐨 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐏𝐃 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐬?
TIPS courses do not come with CPD units. Participants may apply for recognition of their training as self-directed learning, subject to the requirements and approval of their relevant professional regulatory body.

𝟏𝟑. 𝐃𝐨 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠?
No. You may attend TIPS training without being a GCAT member, provided you meet the course’s entry requirements. GCAT membership is required when applying for GCAT certification and for maintaining an active certification status.

𝟏𝟒. 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒?
Yes. GCAT recognizes and accepts TIPS training courses, which are accredited and certified by GCAT. After completing your training, submit your course completion certificates and other required credentials to GCAT when applying for certification.

𝟏𝟓. 𝐈𝐬 𝐆𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩?
GCAT membership is annual. You must renew it each year to keep your membership active.

𝟏𝟔. 𝐈𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
Yes. Your GCAT certification remains active only while your GCAT membership is active.

𝟏𝟕. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩?
Your GCAT certification is considered invalid when your membership ends. If you do not renew, you must not present yourself as holding a valid GCAT certification.

𝟏𝟖. 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
GCAT currently encourages licensed professionals to follow the ethical standards and continuing education requirements of their respective professional bodies and jurisdictions, including any required continuing education units (CEUs). An active GCAT membership is also required to maintain certification. Contact GCAT directly to clarify any additional renewal or continuing education requirements that apply to your certification.

𝟏𝟗. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐦𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐭?
TIPS is for training and workshops only. To book a therapy sessions, visit the directories below and contact the listed practitioners directly:
• GCAT-Certified Clinical Traumatologists
• EMDR-Trained Therapists

𝟐𝟎. 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐆𝐂𝐀𝐓 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
For more information, email the GCAT Office Manager at [email protected].

Traumatology Institute & Psychological Services, Philippines (TIPS) is an accredited training site of the Green Cross Academy of Traumatology (GCAT), USA, in the Philippines and the first in Asia. TIPS offers traumatology workshops for professionals, educators, and responders seeking to strengthen t...

23/09/2026

Getting ready for next week’s back to back training.

23/09/2026

Leadership, mentorship, and teaching should never be about keeping people beneath us, or even make them feel that way. For me, it is about HELPING PEOPLE GROW until they can STAND BESIDE US—and perhaps, one day, even go further than we did.

In therapy, we can only guide the process. A therapist can provide the intervention, but healing also requires the willingness and determination of the client. The same goes with training. As facilitators, we can teach, mentor, guide, and open doors—but the willingness to learn, grow, and become better belongs to the trainee.

That is why I am genuinely happy and proud whenever I see my trainees succeed—whether they earn another certification, develop greater competence, receive recognition, build their own practice, step into leadership, or simply become more confident in the work they do.

Their success does not take anything away from me. It gives greater meaning to what I do.

In my world, and in the institute I lead, I do not want to create a culture of competition. I want to create a culture of collaboration, connection, and helping one another grow. I don’t believe that one professional is simply “better” than another. Sometimes, we are only ahead in a certain part of the journey. And when we are ahead, I believe we have a responsibility to reach back.

Share what you know.
Open doors.
Create opportunities.
Help someone move forward.

Leadership, mentorship, and teaching should never be about keeping people beneath us, or even make them feel that way. For me, it is about HELPING PEOPLE GROW until they can STAND BESIDE US—and perhaps, one day, even go further than we did. And when that happens, I will be VERY PROUD.

No competition. Only collaboration and connection.

23/09/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Tricia Zafra, RPsy! 🎉

The Traumatology Institute and Psychological Services (TIPS) proudly congratulates Ms. Tricia Zafra, RPsy on being officially listed in the EMDR Global, USA Network Directory as an EMDR Trained Professional.

This milestone reflects her continued commitment to strengthening her clinical competence and advancing trauma-informed psychological care.

Your TIPS family celebrates this meaningful professional achievement with you. May you continue to grow, serve, and make a positive difference in the lives of those recovering from trauma.

Congratulations, Tricia! We are proud of you! 💚

🔗 See her EMDR Global Network profile here:
https://directory.emdrglobalnetwork.com/therapist/tricia-denise-zafra/

22/09/2026

To all the successful examinees of the 2026 Psychologists and Psychometricians Licensure Examinations, congratulations on reaching this significant professional milestone!

Behind those new titles—RPsy and RPm—are years of study, sacrifice, perseverance, uncertainty, and determination. Today, you celebrate not only passing a licensure examination, but also the beginning of a greater responsibility to serve others with competence, compassion, integrity, and ethical practice.

As you enter the profession, may you continue to remain curious, humble, and committed to lifelong learning. Psychology is more than a profession—it is an opportunity to understand people more deeply, uphold human dignity, and contribute meaningfully to the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities.

To our newest Registered Psychologists and Registered Psychometricians, welcome to the profession. May you use what you have learned not only to build successful careers, but also to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you serve.

Your license is an achievement. What you choose to do with it will become your legacy.

Congratulations, RPsys and RPms of 2026! 🎓🧠💚

21/09/2026

A client’s story can sometimes awaken something personal in the practitioner.

In the Figley Model, traumatic recollections refer to the activation of a helper’s own trauma history through exposure to another person’s suffering. When this happens, ordinary self-care may no longer be enough.

Supervision, consultation, personal therapy, trauma-focused intervention, and workload modification may become necessary. Helping professionals also need protection from the emotional cost of helping.

Join us for Compassion Fatigue Levels 1 and 2 Training — October 1–2, 2026 and deepen your understanding of compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, traumatic recollections, and strategies for prevention and intervention.

If you work closely with trauma, crisis, grief, abuse, or human suffering, this training is highly relevant to your professional practice.

Protect your capacity to care. Recognize the signs before they begin affecting you, your work, and the people you serve.

Register now and reserve your slot: https://forms.gle/VTDGXdv4dGy9aBho8

12/09/2026

Welcome to the Psychology Practitioners in the Justice System (PPIJS) Special Interest Group of the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP). The PPIJS SIG is a PAP-recognized professional community established to bring together psychology practitioners whose professional practice, researc...

12/09/2026

09/09/2026

Sharing the post of one of our Clinical Traumatologists, Ms. Glad. 💚
Indeed, taking on clients is not about how many you can handle in a day—it is about how well you are able to care for, support, and be fully present with each client.
And Ms. Glad, the TIPS–GCAT jacket looks absolutely gorgeous on you! 💚

09/09/2026

OLD POST: Putting this again to remind that you are not too late nor too old to pursue what you want and what you want to become. Life is not a competition nor a race; go at your own pace. 🙂
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Before I found my calling and became a Registered Psychologist and Trauma Therapist, it took me:
1️⃣7️⃣ years of searching and praying
1️⃣5️⃣ years in the corporate world
8️⃣ different companies and roles in HR
7️⃣ years of education
4️⃣ years of self-reflection
3️⃣ tries before passing the board exam
1️⃣ mentor who believed in me

Deciding to finally get out of the corporate world and my comfort zone to pursue my dream to be a Psychologist, was the hardest decision that I've ever made in my life.

The journey is hard and the fear is real.

But when you finally listen to your own voice and started taking the wheel, everything in your life gets clear, as you are no longer working based on fear.

You get to maximize your full potential and you finally have that peace in your mind, because you've already found your purpose that brings meaning to your life.

Pursue a job that create sparks in your eyes and answers your why.