What is Trauma?
Trauma can result from various experiences, such as physical or emotional abuse, neglect, loss, violence, or catastrophic events.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines Trauma Informed Care as a program, organization, or system that realizes the widespread impact of trauma, recognizes the signs and symptoms, integrates knowledge about trauma into policies and practices, and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization.
Key Principles of Trauma Informed Care
- Safety: Ensuring that individuals feel physically and emotionally safe.
- Trustworthiness and transparency: Building trust through transparency in operations and decision-making.
- Peer support: Utilizing the knowledge of individuals who have lived experiences of trauma to support others.
- Collaboration and mutuality: Emphasizing partnership and the leveling of power differences.
- Empowerment, voice, and choice: Prioritizing the individual’s strengths and experiences and providing opportunities for them to shape their care.
- Cultural, historical, and gender issues: Addressing cultural, historical, and gender considerations to remove biases and provide inclusive care.
Examples of Trauma Informed Care
There are several examples of TIC. For example:
Healthcare Settings
In a healthcare setting, TIC might involve training staff to recognize signs of trauma, creating a calming environment, and using gentle communication techniques to avoid triggering patients. For example, a doctor might ask a patient for permission before touching them, explain each step of an examination beforehand, and provide options for the patient to feel more in control.
Education
Schools implementing TIC might establish routines to help students feel secure, create spaces where students can go to calm down, and train teachers to respond to behavioral issues with understanding rather than punishment. For instance, a teacher noticing a student acting out might approach the situation by asking how the student is feeling and what they might need to feel better, rather than immediately resorting to disciplinary measures.
Social Services
Social service organizations practicing TIC would train staff to understand trauma responses and create policies that avoid re-traumatization. This could include providing clear explanations of processes, respecting boundaries, and offering choices to clients about how they receive services.
For example, a caseworker might provide multiple options for meeting locations and times to ensure the client feels safe and respected.
Role of Attorneys in Trauma Informed Care
Attorneys often play a crucial role in situations involving trauma, especially when representing clients who have experienced significant adverse events. In legal contexts, trauma-informed practices are essential. It helps clients receive fair and compassionate representation.
Trauma Informed Care is a holistic approach that recognizes and addresses the pervasive impact of trauma on individuals. By incorporating TIC principles, professionals across various fields, including attorneys, can provide more effective, compassionate, and supportive care and services to those who have experienced trauma.
If you’d like to know your rights related to Trauma Informed Care or if you need to speak to someone about your situation, we can help. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact the Geller Injury Law Firm.
