Trauma-informed care is a way of providing support and services that recognises the impact of trauma on someone’s life. It is a holistic approach that takes into account all the ways trauma can affect physical, mental, and emotional health. It aims to create a safe and supportive environment that promotes healing and recovery.
Care with a heart
At the heart of trauma-informed care is the understanding that trauma is a common and often misunderstood experience. It can come in many forms, like physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect, and it can have lasting effects. Some common signs of trauma include difficulty regulating emotions, difficulty trusting others, and difficulty with relationships.
One of the main principles of trauma-informed care is creating a safe and supportive environment for people who have experienced trauma. This includes providing a physical space that is free from threats like violence or exploitation, and setting clear boundaries and expectations for behaviour. It also involves providing support and resources, such as therapy or support groups, to help people cope with their trauma.
Individual care
An important aspect of trauma-informed care is the understanding that people who have experienced trauma may have different needs and may need different approaches to care. For example, some people may benefit from more structured or directive approaches, while others may prefer a more collaborative or client-centred approach. Support is therefore adapted to the needs of the individual, rather than a single, standardised approach.
In providing support, practitioners must be aware of their own biases and work to eliminate them. This means understanding that people who have experienced trauma may not fit traditional stereotypes, and should not be seen as diagnostic categories but as resourceful individuals, albeit in need of support..
Overall, trauma-informed care is an approach that acknowledges the impact of trauma and tries to create a safe and supportive environment that promotes healing and recovery. By understanding the unique needs and experiences of people who have experienced trauma, practitioners can provide more effective and compassionate care, and help people live more fulfilling and healthy lives.
