You might have already encountered the phrase “trauma-informed care”. But what exactly does it mean?

Trauma-informed care recognizes that it is not only physical trauma that can have long-lasting neurological, emotional, social, biological, and psychological effects. It also involves five guiding principles that are adhered to by people’s physical and emotional safety.

Keep reading to learn more!

What is Trauma-Informed Care?

Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) has changed how we view treatment. People used to think trauma was just when someone experienced a significant accident. But this new approach teaches us that everyone can experience trauma.

For example, people that witness traumatic events, not just those who directly experienced them. This refers to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD), a psychiatric condition that happens after someone witnesses or goes through a catastrophically stressful or traumatic event. It impacts their behavior, thinking, and self-concept.

TIC is an approach that assumes that a person is more likely than not to have experienced at least one traumatic event in their life. It acknowledges that trauma may have a role in a person’s life and recognizes the presence of symptoms of trauma.

This approach reimagines a client-therapist relationship. Instead of being an authority figure, the therapist serves as a guide who provides support throughout the healing and growth journey. Both client and therapist work together during the recovery process. 

How Does Trauma-Informed Care Work?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, trauma-informed counseling incorporates three key elements:

• Realizes trauma’s prevalence;

• Recognizes how a traumatic event impacts a person involved with the system, organization, or program;

• Responds by putting knowledge into practice.

Trauma-Informed Care’s core is “Primum non nocere,” which translates to “First, do no harm.” The individuals’ well-being always comes first when the five principles are adhered to. In short, they are not re-traumatized or harmed further by working on their past.

This type of care informs individuals on how care is delivered. For instance, when the therapist asks sensitive questions about the situation, they explain why they ask. Individuals do not usually volunteer information regarding their traumatic experiences.

What is Re-Traumatization?

Re-traumatization refers to any environment or situation resembling someone’s trauma symbolically or literally, which triggers difficult reactions and feelings related to the original trauma.

When an individual starts to open up and talk about their traumatic experiences with the therapist, the original emotion of their trauma may come up. This can happen when the individual unconsciously or consciously re-experiences a catastrophically traumatic or stressful event from the past.

It can be caused by triggers or stressors that may be similar to a person’s original trauma environment or circumstances. A particular taste, imagery, lighting, physical space, smell, or element that imitates a traumatic experience from the past can result in re-traumatization.

The 5 Principles of Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-Informed Care follows five principles that serve as a framework for how systems of care and service providers work to minimize the likelihood of re-traumatization.

Instead of providing a set of procedures and practices, these principles are interpreted and applied based on a particular type of service setting.

Here are the five principles of Trauma-Informed Care:

1. Safety 

The emotional and physical safety of the individuals, service providers, and the public must be established immediately. There are two ways to help people feel safe and unintimidated: 

1. Avoid inadvertently getting too close to people and avoid standing over them. 

2. Creating reporting systems and taking action against people who violate the individuals’ emotional and physical well-being are other ways to use the principles of this type of care.

2. Trustworthiness 

All individual care needs must be addressed in a way that creates trustworthiness. 

A culture of trustworthiness trickles down into how the individual’s needs are addressed. Any changes in culture can impact the whole organization. Establishing a feeling of trustworthiness takes a lot of time and effort. Caregivers need to consistently embody the organization's values if they want to build trust with people quickly. For instance, at the Walker Center, we always try to deliver treatment with integrity and empathy. Some of us are on our own journey of recovery, so we understand how hard it can be to seek help, so some of our fundamental values are hope and compassion. We think we do a great job, and you can read a few of our testimonials here.

3. Choice 

When someone needs professional care, there is a big chance that they feel they have lost control of their lives. 

With Trauma-Informed Care, individuals can feel empowered when making decisions in their treatment plan. These choices can include deciding what to work on in therapy, level of care, and length of stay. Patients are more likely to experience freedom throughout their treatment with a positive impact on their life as a whole.

4. Collaboration 

Most patients who have experienced severe traumatic events from their past may not openly talk about their issues. They may also be hesitant to confront their past. They usually distrust the whole treatment journey.

For this reason, organizations and caregivers make extra effort to encourage patients to collaborate with them. Instead of telling the patients what they have to do, they explain why. When inviting questions, they request suggestions and feedback from the patients about how they can meet the mutually agreed goals.

5. Empowerment 

Traumatic-Informed Care empowers the patients to explore and establish existing strengths. They can develop a more solid foundation and healthier coping skills, which they can use in the future. This approach to treatment provides hope among patients that recovery is possible. It also promotes resilience.

Patients should feel empowered when taking charge of their life and making their own decisions. Every patient’s situation differs from others, so a tailored-made approach is necessary to obtain positive results.

Organizations and caregivers must be sensitive to various concepts, including race, culture, and gender. Taking a range of lived experiences into account helps increase patient care standards. Positive treatment results can be achieved by creating an environment where patients can feel a sense of control over their destinies.

So how can Trauma-Informed Care help me or my loved one?

Trauma-Informed Care is a modern philosophy and approach that understands and considers trauma’s pervasive nature. It creates and promotes an environment of healing and recovery instead of services and practices that can trigger re-traumatization. It involves five guiding principles that care systems and service providers use as a framework for reducing the likelihood of re-traumatization. At the Walker Center, the concept of Trauma-Informed Care shapes how we deliver treatment. We offer patients a safe space where they feel empowered to seek out therapy and engage with staff to work out the best treatment for them. We recognize that no two people have had the same experience, so it's essential to get their input to deliver the best care possible and help people take back control of their life.