​

 

Trauma-informed therapy recognises that trauma affects many aspects of life and that healing requires a holistic approach prioritising safety, trust, and empowerment. This framework understands trauma not as a single event but as a complex experience that impacts mind, body, and relationships. Trauma-informed assessments take into account the interplay between experiences of trauma and symptoms presentations for various mental health conditions.

​

What is Trauma-Informed Care

 

1. Safety and Stability: Creating environments that are physically and emotionally safe is fundamental. This includes predictable boundaries, transparent processes, and consistent, reliable therapeutic relationships.

​

2. Trust and Transparency: Building trustworthy relationships through clear communication, consistent boundaries, and predictable interactions. Every aspect of therapy is discussed openly, with clients having full agency in their healing journey.

​

3. Choice and Empowerment: Recognising that trauma often involves loss of control, trauma-informed care emphasises client choice, autonomy, and active participation in the therapeutic process.

 

 

 

The Six Key Elements

​

1. Safety

​

Physical and emotional safety are priorities, including:

• Comfortable, predictable environment

• Clear boundaries and expectations

• Recognition of triggers and warning signs

• Respect for personal space and autonomy

​​

2. Trustworthiness:

 

Building reliable therapeutic relationships through:

• Consistent boundaries

• Clear communication

• Predictable processes

• Honest feedback

​​

3. Choice

 

Empowering clients through:

• Collaborative decision-making

• Options in treatment

• Control over pacing

• Voice in therapeutic process

​​

4. Collaboration

 

Working together through:

• Shared goal-setting

• Regular feedback

• Mutual respect

• Partnership in healing

 

5. Empowerment

 

Supporting client agency through:

• Skill building

• Resource development

• Strength recognition

• Self-advocacy support

 

6. Cultural Sensitivity

 

Recognising the impact of:

• Cultural trauma

• Historical context

• Identity intersections

• Community experiences

 

 

Understanding Trauma's Impact

 

Physiological Effects

• Nervous system dysregulation

• Altered stress response

• Changes in brain function

• Physical health impacts

 

Psychological Effects

• Altered sense of safety

• Relationship challenges

• Identity impacts

• Cognitive changes

 

Social Effects

• Trust difficulties

• Relationship patterns

• Community engagement

• Work/life functioning

 

 

Evidence Base

Research demonstrates the effectiveness of trauma-informed approaches:

• Improved treatment outcomes (SAMHSA, 2014)

• Better therapeutic alliance (Purkey et al., 2018)

• Reduced re-traumatization (Sweeney et al., 2016)

• Enhanced engagement in therapy (Levenson, 2020)

 

 

Clinical Applications

 

Assessment Process

• Careful trauma screening

• Attention to triggers

• Respect for pacing

• Recognition of resilience

 

Therapeutic Environment

• Physical space considerations

• Sensory awareness

• Safety planning

• Predictable structure

 

Treatment Planning

• Collaborative approach

• Flexible pacing

• Regular review

• Clear communication

 

 

Special Considerations in Therapy & Assessment

 

Complex Trauma

• Developmental impacts

• Attachment patterns

• Identity formation

• Relationship dynamics

 

Intergenerational Trauma

• Historical context

• Cultural factors

• Family patterns

• Community impact

​

Intersections of Neurodivergence and Trauma

• Neurodivergent individuals often experience higher rates of trauma

• Trauma responses may present differently in neurodivergent people

• Trauma can influence the presentation of ADHD, autism, and other neurodevelopment conditions

• Importance of addressing sensory experiences and processing differences in trauma work​

 

Common Approaches Within Trauma-Informed Care

 

Body-Based Work

• Somatic experiencing

• Sensorimotor psychotherapy

• Yoga-informed practices

• Mindfulness techniques

 

Trauma-focused Therapy

• Trauma-focused CBT

• Trauma-focused CFT

• EMDR

 

Relational Work

• Attachment-based therapy

• IFS (Internal Family Systems) Therapy

• Interpersonal therapy

• Group support

​

​