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Level 1 Introduction to Trauma Informed
Hip Hop

For workshop facilitators and helping professionals
Format

  • Online 
  • Self-led
  • Your pace

Modules

  • What is Hip Hop?
  • What is trauma?
  • What is therapeutic Hip Hop?

Starting date

You decide

Level

Beginner

Duration

6 Hours

Price

Free

Course Overview:

Welcome to our entry-level course on Therapeutic Hip Hop and trauma-informed principles. This beginner-level course provides foundational knowledge and understanding, setting the stage for further exploration in advanced levels. While it does not qualify you to practice Trauma-informed Hip Hop, it equips you with essential insights and concepts required for more advanced training at Levels 2 and 3. There, you will learn how to apply principles. Here, you will find out what they are.

Important Note

To conduct therapeutic interventions or workshops, especially those using a trauma-informed approach, further training with an accredited institution is required.

What You'll Learn:

This course covers core concepts essential for higher-level training in therapeutic Hip Hop utilising trauma-informed approaches. You will gain a foundational understanding of:

  • The Emergence and Spread of Hip Hop Learn how Hip Hop originated and evolved into a global cultural movement.

  • Understanding Trauma Get to know what trauma is, how to recognise it in workshops, and how to safely direct individuals to appropriate support.

  • Responding to Trauma Discover strategies for safely responding to trauma if it arises in your sessions e.g. creative tools to support emotional regulation.

  • Designing Trauma-Informed Workshops Understand basic principles of designing trauma-informed Hip Hop workshops to create a safe space for participants.

  • Soothing Aspects of Hip Hop Explore why certain elements of Hip Hop can be soothing and therapeutic.


Is This Course for You?

You’re in the right place if you’re curious about:

  • Using Hip Hop in workshops for vulnerable people.
  • Exploring creative, trauma-informed approaches.
  • Developing therapeutic Hip Hop and wellness workshop strategies.
  • Offering culturally-competent creative health interventions.
  • Making mental health services more accessible for marginalized groups, especially Global Majority (non-white) communities.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is a great fit if you are:

  • A musician or artist leading workshops or group sessions.
  • A creative facilitator looking to enhance your workshop design and delivery.
  • A helping professional or someone who wants to be one, like a youth worker, social worker, teacher, counselor, therapist, music therapist, coach, nurse, or carer.

Join Us

Register and join for free today to start your journey into Therapeutic Hip Hop, using trauma-informed approaches. This course was designed, piloted, and delivered through funding from The Baring Foundation and Cultural Bridge.




Our teachers

Meet our core team

Kiz Manley

hip hop heals founder 

Kiz Manley is the UK’s first Hip Hop Therapist and Founder of Hip Hop HEALS. Her MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes thesis explored the lived experiences of rappers and the therapeutic potential of Hip Hop and UK Bass Music culture. She hosts and produces 'Glowitheflow' podcast on therapeutic Hip Hop, offering radical solutions to homelessness and mental ill health. In her spare time, she runs Dubgasm: a social action fundraiser for Brum's foodbank and homeless communities. 

Dr. Raphael Travis

Curriculum Co-Creator

Raphael Travis is a Professor at Texas State University in the School of Social Work. His research, practice and consultance work emphsaise healthy development over the life-course, resilience and civic engagement. He also investigates creative arts, especially Hip Hop culture, as a source of health and well-being for individuals and communities.

He is author of the book: 'The Healing Power of Hip Hop' and co-editor of: 'Music for Inclusion and Healing in Schools and Beyond.' His latest research, linking music engagement and well-being, appears in a variety of academic journals and book chapters. 

David Williams

Hip Hop HEALS Co-Director & Curriculum Co-Creator

David Williams aka David Boomah is a Humanitarian, Youth Advocate, Community Champion, Equity Seeker, Singer/Songwriter  and Performer. 

Track Record: 

  • 32 years’ experience contributing to: Youth Justice, Youth & Community, Social Care and Education sectors locally, regionally and nationally.
  • 20 years’ experience developing Accredited Learning Development Programmes for individuals and organisations engaging with marginalised communities specifically Youth at Risk. 
  • 39 years’ experience contributing to music creation and performance locally, nationally and internationally.  


Claire Williamson

Curriculum Co-Creator
Claire Williamson has thirty years experience in the Writing for Wellbeing sector in a range of settings, including education and healthcare. She has a Supervision Fundamentals qualification from Bath Centre for Supervision Training and Development and a Masters in Literary Theory from University of the West of England. Claire is completing a doctorate in Creative and Critical Writing at Cardiff University, exploring responses to grief narratives. 

An advocate for equity and safeguarding, and learning from lived experience of others. Claire lives on the Welsh/English border, with her two daughters and border collie.

“The best! People need to know about this.”
— Lived Experience Expert & Course Co-producer
“It's a wonderful initiative and great to know there is a way to engage with specific groups about trauma rehabilitation.”
— Lived Experience Expert & Course Co-producer
“I want to see Hip Hop HEALS [therapy] implemented in places where people don’t get formal counselling.”

— Lived Experience Expert & Course Co-producer
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