Trauma-informed practice
What is trauma-informed practice?
Trauma-informed practice (TIP) is an approach that acknowledges the effects of trauma on people and provides a framework from which to provide therapeutic services that are responsive to the impact of trauma. A trauma-informed framework acknowledges that symptoms may actually be reasonable responses to the trauma that someone has survived, and that symptoms like depression, anxiety, and anger outbursts may be responses to previous experiences that have been left unprocessed. Trauma-informed practice will strive to integrate fragmented parts of a person that impact on a persons ability to be authentic and live their life to the fullest.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) identifies six key principles of a trauma-informed approach:
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Safety — the physical and emotional safety of both counsellors and clients
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Trustworthiness and transparency — clear, consistent communication that builds trust
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Peer support — the power of shared experience in healing
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Collaboration and mutuality — flattening power differentials; recognizing that healing happens in relationship
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Empowerment, voice, and choice — prioritizing the client's agency and strengths
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Cultural, historical, and gender considerations — recognizing that trauma occurs in social contexts
What does TIP look like in a counselling service?
You can expect your counsellor to take time to make sure you are safe before exploring sensitive content. This can be achieved by working on the therapeutic relationship prior to discussing deeper topics of trauma. You may be advised that you need to slow down when speaking on a topic if the counsellor notices subtle differences in how you are breathing, sitting, speaking.
It is widely recognised now, through scientific research, that trauma requires both a top down (cognitive) and bottom up (body) approach so it should be expected that trauma counselling would include some aspect of body movement or breathing techniques. Dr Gabor Mate explains that trauma is not just the event itself but the emotional, mental and physiological response that occurs when people are restricted in their capacity to respond authentically to their lived experiences.
You can expect to experience knowledge transfer in the form of psycho-education which explains what is happening to you from a psychological and neurological perspective. This helps you to understand your experiences of day to day patterns that are actually displays of trauma that may be causing you discomfort or awkwardness.
It would be useful to understand regulation techniques prior to exploring trauma, however, if trauma is discovered unexpectedly, this should be covered as soon as relevant and appropriate.
You should never be pressured to discuss trauma experiences and you don't need to force yourself to go back to traumatic memories to recover from trauma.