What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
You go to a new doctor. In the intake paperwork, they ask you not just about your symptoms, but about your life experiences, including any history of trauma. During your appointment, they are patient, they explain what they are doing before they do it, and they make sure you feel like you have a choice in your own care. This approach, which is becoming the standard in all fields of healthcare, is known as trauma-informed care. It is a profound and compassionate shift in how we understand and respond to human suffering.
At Televero Health, our providers are trained in the principles of trauma-informed care. It is a framework that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and seeks to create an environment of healing and safety, rather than one that might accidentally re-traumatize a person. It is about shifting the fundamental question from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”
The Core Realization: Trauma Is Pervasive
The first principle of trauma-informed care is the realization that a significant number of the people seeking any kind of service—from mental healthcare to primary medical care—have a history of trauma. The landmark Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study found that nearly two-thirds of adults had experienced at least one type of traumatic event in childhood. Trauma is not a rare occurrence; it is a near-universal one.
A trauma-informed system assumes that anyone who walks through the door may have a history of trauma. This assumption changes everything. It means that every policy, every procedure, and every interaction is designed with an awareness of the potential vulnerability of the people being served.
The Five Guiding Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a trauma-informed approach is guided by five key principles.
- Safety: The first priority is to create an environment where people feel physically and psychologically safe. This means a calm, welcoming physical space. It also means that all interactions are respectful and that the patient’s need for privacy and confidentiality is honored.
- Trustworthiness and Transparency: The relationship between the provider and the patient is built on a foundation of trust. This means that decisions are made with transparency. A provider will explain what they are doing and why. They will be clear about what the patient can expect.
- Choice: A core experience of trauma is a profound loss of control. A trauma-informed approach seeks to restore a sense of agency and choice to the individual. The patient is seen as an active partner in their own care. They are given clear information about their options and are empowered to make their own decisions.
- Collaboration and Mutuality: The provider-patient relationship is not a hierarchical one, where the “expert” tells the “patient” what to do. It is a collaborative partnership. The provider recognizes that the patient is the expert on their own life, and they work together to create a treatment plan.
- Empowerment and Skill-Building: A trauma-informed approach is strengths-based. It focuses on helping the individual to recognize their own resilience and to build the skills they need to heal and grow. It is about building on what is strong, not just focusing on what is wrong.
What It Looks Like in Your Therapy Session
When your therapist is practicing from a trauma-informed lens, you will feel it. They will:
- Go at your pace. They will never push you to talk about your trauma before you are ready.
- Emphasize skill-building first. They will help you to build a strong foundation of safety and coping skills before you ever delve into processing traumatic memories.
- Give you choices. They will present you with different therapeutic options and respect your decision.
- Be transparent. They will explain their therapeutic approach and the rationale behind the interventions they suggest.
- Create a safe and predictable environment. Your sessions will start and end on time, and the relationship will be bound by clear, professional boundaries.
Trauma-informed care is a fundamental shift in perspective. It is a commitment to creating a culture of safety, empowerment, and healing. It is a compassionate recognition of the resilience of the human spirit and a belief in every individual’s capacity to heal from their past.
Key Takeaways
- Trauma-informed care is an approach to healthcare that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and seeks to create a safe and healing environment.
- It shifts the guiding question from “What’s wrong with you?” to the more compassionate “What happened to you?”
- The five core principles are Safety, Trustworthiness, Choice, Collaboration, and Empowerment.
- In therapy, this approach means your therapist will prioritize your safety, go at your pace, and work as a collaborative partner in your healing.
Ready to take the first step? We can help. Get started with Televero Health today.