The phrase ‘trauma-informed’ is used a lot these days, but what does it mean? And what does trauma-informed care actually look like from the client’s perspective?
At first, I struggled to get my head around the concept and how it differed from what I was already doing. Then, while working with a particular client, the penny finally dropped. I started to understand what being trauma-informed means for both me and my clients, not to mention the impact it can have on their overall mental health and wellbeing.
What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-Informed Care is an approach based on knowledge of the impact of trauma. In simple terms, it shifts the focus from ‘what’s wrong with you?’ to ‘what’s happened to you?’, acknowledging that therapists need a complete picture of a client’s life situation – past and present – to provide effective care and facilitate healing, even when a problem is current and very much being experienced in the present.
It’s about creating a sense of safety, understanding and trust within the therapeutic relationship – looking beyond the surface to understand people more deeply. It also recognises the need to prevent re-traumatisation in the ways we treat people and relate to them, our language, and our actions.
At the very least, providing trauma-informed care means acknowledging the influence of a client’s past experiences. At its best, it means exploring and working through these experiences with them.
Why Be Trauma-Informed?
To be successful, the therapeutic relationship needs to be safe and nurturing – a place where safe attachment and healthy boundaries can be explored. Adopting trauma-informed practices can potentially improve client engagement, treatment adherence, and health outcomes. As the person providing care and support, it can also benefit your own wellbeing.
Does Everyone Need Trauma-Informed Care?
I believe there is always a need to look back in order to look forward. Trauma encompasses, the traumatic event(s) itself, the impact of that event(s), and the subsequent fallout. It’s vital we understand behaviours and responses in the context of where they came from.
For many people, their unhelpful coping strategies have evolved from the need for survival at a time when there were few other options. The more adverse childhood events (ACES) someone has experienced, the broader the impact on their life, both in terms of how they function and opportunities for recovery, growth and success. In most cases, these people are simply doing their best to manage with the tools they have.
In certain environments, it is reasonable to assume that anyone you encounter will have experienced some sort of trauma. Whole communities can fall into this bracket. At the same time, what trauma is for one person will be different for another.
Trauma-Informed Care Seeks To…
Acknowledge the widespread impact of trauma
Recognise the signs and symptoms of trauma
Understand and signpost paths for recovery
Integrate knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices
Actively avoid re-traumatisation.
Beyond the Therapy Room
As a society, we are becoming more trauma informed. There is increased awareness and more discussion about the impact of trauma. This can only be a good thing. It’s not about looking for trauma everywhere but acknowledging that it is incredibly prevalent.
With this in mind, I believe being trauma-informed is for everyone – not just therapists and health care professionals. Recognising that we might not know a person’s full story and that things aren’t always what they seem can help us be more patient, understanding and compassionate. How we treat people matters and empathy is essential if we want to move through life without causing unnecessary harm.
Trauma Informed Clinical Supervision
As professionals, we are not immune to trauma. Therapists are human too, and often our behaviours and the way feel and respond to things can be influenced by what we have experienced, survived, and recovered from in the past. It’s important we are able to develop our awareness of this in a safe supervisory space, using our own experiences to strengthen our ability as therapists.
I am a qualified, trauma informed Clinical Supervisor with experience supporting individuals, groups and trainees. I’m also an EMDR Consultant and Training Facilitator, a BABCP accredited CBT therapist and lecturer and a RN(MH). My supervision style is relaxed, supportive and focussed on providing a safe space to learn and share knowledge. Learn more about my services here and please get in touch to discuss working with me.