Trauma-Informed Care
An approach to treatment that recognizes how difficult experiences may shape a person's responses, relationships, and sense of safety.
What is trauma-informed care?
Trauma-informed care is an approach to treatment that recognizes how traumatic, overwhelming, or difficult experiences may affect a person's sense of safety, trust, relationships, coping, and responses to stress. It shapes how therapy is conducted rather than representing a specific technique or protocol. A trauma-informed approach means that the therapist is attentive to how past experiences may be influencing present difficulties, and that treatment is conducted with attention to safety, collaboration, and the client's autonomy and pacing.
Is trauma-informed care a type of therapy?
Trauma-informed care is not a specific psychotherapy technique or treatment protocol. It is a framework that informs how therapy is approached. It does not mean assuming that every psychological symptom is caused by trauma, and it does not mean that trauma processing is automatically necessary or appropriate for every person. A trauma-informed therapist considers the potential role of past experiences while conducting a careful assessment of what is actually contributing to your current concerns.
What is the difference between trauma and PTSD?
Trauma and PTSD are not interchangeable terms. Trauma refers to experiences that are overwhelming, threatening, or deeply distressing. PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a specific clinical diagnosis that some people develop following traumatic experiences. Experiencing trauma does not automatically mean someone develops PTSD. Some people develop PTSD, while others may experience anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, avoidance, changes in self-perception, or no mental health disorder at all. Careful assessment is important to understand what someone is actually experiencing rather than assuming a diagnosis based on history alone.
Does trauma-informed therapy require talking about trauma?
No. A trauma-informed approach does not require clients to recount traumatic experiences in detail. Treatment begins with your current concerns, relevant history, goals, and a careful assessment of what approach may be appropriate. Some people benefit from processing past experiences directly; others do not. What is appropriate depends on your specific situation, what you are experiencing, and what you want to work on.
What does trauma-informed therapy look like?
A trauma-informed approach is guided by several core principles:
- Safety: creating a therapeutic environment where you feel comfortable and not pressured
- Trust: being transparent about the treatment process and what to expect
- Collaboration: working together rather than imposing a predetermined plan
- Choice: respecting your autonomy and preferences throughout treatment
- Pacing: moving at a pace that is appropriate for you rather than rushing toward difficult material
How do I approach trauma-informed care?
I am a clinical social worker and psychotherapist at Balanced Mind Therapy Solutions, providing online psychotherapy to adults in New York and Florida. I have postgraduate training in Trauma-Informed Clinical Practice and Advanced Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis. A trauma-informed perspective is integrated into how I approach assessment and treatment across the concerns I work with. This means I consider the potential role of past experiences while also conducting a careful assessment of what is contributing to your current difficulties. Treatment is individualized and begins with understanding your specific concerns and goals.
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Have Questions About Trauma-Informed Therapy?
If you are wondering whether trauma-informed therapy may be appropriate for your concerns, I offer a free 15-minute consultation. You can also learn more about what to expect when getting started.