Trauma Informed Therapy: What Is It And How It Works

Trauma-informed therapy refers to a mindset rather than a specific therapeutic intervention. It assumes that most clients are likely to have experienced some type of trauma at one point or another during their lives, understand how this may have impacted their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and are committed to restoring a sense of safety and self-worth without re-triggering the traumatic experience.

Trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body. – Besser van der Kolk

This recognition that many of the behaviors now being exhibited are an attempt to cope with the memories of the trauma results in a paradigm shift from the traditional method of looking for what is wrong with the client, to questioning what happened to him or her instead.

Trauma informed therapy vs. traditional therapy.

Traditional therapy tends to focus on behaviors a person is trying to change and on looking for what is wrong with him or her. Trauma-informed therapy, on the other hand, is an empathetic approach that seeks to understand the individual as a whole, the underlying reasons for his or her behaviors, and what happened to him or her to cause him or her to act this way.

It recognizes that these are adaptive behaviors that make sense when viewed through the lens of what the client has been through, rather than being a reflection of who he or she is.

Unlike traditional therapy, trauma-informed therapy is a gradual process that starts with establishing a sense of safety and trust, ensuring that the client feels physically and emotionally secure, and helping him or her learn coping strategies to manage the emotions brought up by triggers before actually talking about the details of the trauma itself.

A trauma therapist vs. A trauma-informed therapist?

Not all therapists who specialize in trauma-related therapy are trauma-informed.

Trauma-informed therapists understand the unique needs of trauma survivors and take into consideration the impact a perceived trauma may have on their feelings of safety and well-being, and how it can shape their efforts to cope. They recognize that clients with unhealed trauma are thinking and acting in an altered way, and look to uncover the underlying reasons for it such as what kind of relief these behaviors are currently providing.

Trauma-informed therapists treat clients with respect and compassion and ensure that they feel validated and heard. In addition to their graduate degree in psychology, they have received special training in how to conduct therapy in a non-threatening way so clients feel physically and emotionally safe during therapy sessions, and they are skilled at anticipating how a client might respond to their words or actions.

They are also sensitive to the importance of the right timing in when and how to address triggers to avoid unintentionally re-traumatizing their clients during the process.

Guiding principles of trauma-informed therapy.

Trauma-informed therapy is guided by the following six principles that were developed by the CDC’s Office of Readiness and Response (ORR) in collaboration with SAMHSA’s National Center for Trauma Informed Care (NCTIC).

Safety.

Clients who have experienced a traumatic event need to be treated in an environment that does not intensify their reactions to the trauma or re-traumatize them. The space where therapy takes place should be calm, comfortable, private, free of triggers, feel physically and emotionally safe, and the client should always have a clear understanding of what to expect and what is going to happen next.

Trustworthiness and transparency.

Before exploring the details of a client’s traumatic event the therapist must establish a foundation of trust and transparency. This is done through being empathetic, compassionate, and nonjudgmental, while at the same time establishing clear boundaries and expectations, and being honest and consistent about what is to be expected and included in the treatment process.

Choice and empowerment.

An important element of trauma-informed therapy is to empower clients to be in control of their treatment. Clients are acknowledged for being survivors, made to feel heard, validated, and affirmed, and helped to recognize and build on their strengths, as well as develop stronger, healthier coping skills.

Throughout the process, the therapist honors their clients’ voice and encourages them to provide feedback and make decisions and choices about what they feel they need.

Collaboration and mutuality.

Clients are informed about their rights and their options and are encouraged to take an active role in their treatment by sharing control of the counseling process with the therapist, who assists rather than directs. Treatment goals are decided collaboratively between the therapist and client as they work together to create a joint plan.

Peer support.

Rather than acting as the expert and trying to fix their clients, the therapist acts as a peer who respects his or her clients’ well-being, listens actively, and empowers them to choose the treatment or support they feel they need.

Cultural, historical, and gender awareness.

The therapist acknowledges the influence of cultural, historical, and gender-related factors, is sensitive to their client’s unique needs in their cultural and historical context, and creates an atmosphere of acceptance and inclusivity that makes them feel safe to share their feelings.

Benefits of trauma informed therapy.

Education.

One of the most important benefits of trauma-informed therapy includes educating clients about what trauma is, how it affects the body and mind, how it can impact daily functioning, and how therapy can help them process what happened and heal from it. This can be especially beneficial for individuals who do not identify as trauma survivors or who are unable to make a connection between past traumatic events and present challenges.

For these clients, in particular, learning to recognize and understand trauma-related symptoms and triggers, and how they may have been impacted by trauma even if they don’t recall being exposed to any, helps them get a clearer, more comprehensive picture of what they are dealing with.

Provides a safe space for healing.

Trauma-informed therapy provides a safe, neutral, compassionate space where clients feel secure and protected from becoming re-traumatized.

Re-establishes safety.

Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event can make a person feel unsafe and excessively vigilant to possible danger. Through helping clients work through their issues and learn coping strategies for dealing with the frightening emotions triggered by memories of the trauma, trauma-informed therapy enables them to become more relaxed and to gradually be able to go about their daily life again without constant fear of threat.

Helps identify and manage triggers.

Not understanding triggers can lead to unpredictable feelings and negative experiences. Trauma-informed therapy helps clients learn to identify their triggers in a non-threatening way, understand the feelings associated with their traumatic memories, and learn coping skills and strategies for processing and managing them effectively so healing can begin and they can regain control over the emotions tied to the trauma.

Increases stability.

As clients become more resilient and equipped with coping techniques to calm their body and mind, their reactions to triggers are reduced and they tend to experience a boost in confidence, self-esteem, and general well-being.

Reestablishes trust.

The process of trauma-informed therapy helps rebuild clients’ ability to trust in themselves and others.

If you are interested in pursuing trauma-informed therapy or learning more about it, please give our office a call today. Your first appointment is risk-free.