Trauma-Informed Therapy
Trauma-Informed care is an approach that considers a person's past experiences and trauma background to provide a client with an appropriate treatment plan given their circumstance and triggers.
In a nutshell- We as therapists recognize and understand trauma's impact and take care to honor people, their voice, and their wellbeing.
A little of my story…
Trauma-informed care is dear to my heart. In my time as a graduate student, I had a traumatic experience with a licensed clinician who made assumptions, disregarded my clear verbalizations of wanting to discontinue, lacked a display of empathy, and did not take the care necessary to understand my trauma background.
It was clear that he acted unethically and would have had his license suspended or some form of ethical penalty had I not been a student, he be my professor, and the event had not been a "mock session" in class. We as therapists adhere to ethical rights of the client that protect clients from this type of power abuse. Unfortunately, my experience was not justified because of the unclear rights of students in mock sessions but it did teach me a very difficult yet valuable lived-lesson of the importance of trauma informed care.
Trauma-informed care is:
• Encouraging
• Consistent
• Empowering
• Respectful
• Honoring of boundaries
• Understanding
• Informed of past traumas
• Goes at your pace
Trauma-informed therapists believe in
• Assuming the possibility of a Trauma History leading with the knowing that trauma impacts treatment and no mental health treatment should be implemented without prior assessment and continuous consideration.
• Assessing and Recognizing signs and symptoms of trauma (hyperarousal, hypoarousal, disassociation, fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses)
• Safety. Creating an environment that is welcoming physically, psychologically, and emotionally
• Building trust through transparency, empathy, and restoring personal agency. Providing consistency, predictability, and honoring of boundaries
• Empowerment through encouraging people to use their voice and their power. (Honoring "No, I don’t think I am ready to talk about that today" or recognizing signs of distress and checking in)
• Choice in allowing the person full control and autonomy over care
• Collaboration to break down any power dynamics that may be present in the therapeutic relationship and to provide consenting care (continuing to monitor body language and check in to avoid re-traumatization)
• Recognizing Marginalization and oppression based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, neurotype, and other identities.
The risks and signs of Non Trauma Informed Therapy are:
• Re-traumatization
• Hindered treatment
• Increased anxiety
• Distrust towards healthcare providers leading to poor engagement in services
• Misdiagnosis
• Inadequate treatment planning
• Increased risk of relapse
• Increase of mental health symptoms due to triggering behaviors or language used by therapists
• Poorer overall health outcomes
I experienced the harmful effects of Non-Trauma-Informed Care
inflicted by my professor resulting in a difficulty to return to the school setting where it occurred and flashbacks to the event when witnessing people's stories of being powerless, a feeling I knew well from that experience. I even had to practice deep breathing upon returning to the client chair in my own personal therapy (despite the rationalizations that it was a different setting with a provider I trusted, in a safe atmosphere).
Recognizing the impact it had on me emphasizes the importance in showing up for people in this way.
Red Flags that a therapist, program, or care provider is not Trauma-Informed would be:
• Blaming behavior: "Its your fault you didnt want to participate in treatment" or "Well...if you're not going to talk about it, I dont know how we can progress"
• Dismissing behavior: "Well at least that's all you went through" or "That doesn't sound like a big deal"
• Abuse of Power / Entitlement: "You are required to participate. If you can't comply, well then..." or "I am the professional. You are the client"
• Fear-Based: "If you don't follow my treatment you won't get better/ find fulfillment/improve your relationships"
• Making Quick Assumptions based on limited knowledge: "You just need to..." or "You must just be..."
• Lack of Choice: "I am the provider that can get you there and you have to follow my treatment" , "No I will not help you find another therapist that might be a better fit" , "No you cannot leave the room or take a break"
• Giving Uninformed and Incorrect Diagnosis: "It must just be because you have ADHD/Depression/Anxiety/Etc."
Some of the example quotes given were taken directly from my experience. Most were obvious signs of poor care but in reality, a therapist may not be as direct. Even if your therapist words it differently, trust your gut feeling! Safety is a main pillar of healthy and beneficial work with a counselor.
Therapy is not always comfortable and does take hard work but you should always be in the drivers seat. You deserve choice and respect. This is your story after all.
We at Mellowbeing Counseling focus care that goes at your pace and conciders possible past traumas. We are not here to "cure" you. We here to help you grow into what you identify the most fulfilled version of you!
If you are seeking Trauma Informed Therapy, lookout for this being listed on your therapist’s website / social media. If you don’t see it, ask!
You deserve care that supports YOU and the healing journey that helps you live your most fulfilled self!
