At its core, Trauma Informed Care (TIC) is the understanding that individuals cope with trauma in unique ways. While those coping skills make sense to those dealing with the trauma, others around them may not understand them. Trauma informed approaches – like asking “what happened to you?” instead of “what’s wrong with you?” – create accepting and supportive environments that minimize the impact of trauma and prevent re-traumatization.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma Informed Best Practices
- Focus on reducing risk of exposure to trauma by creating safe, supportive, and inclusive environments
- Use strategies to buffer against impact when exposure happens
- Provide culturally responsive interventions to promote individual and community resilience
Trauma Informed Approaches: The 4 R's
- Realize the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in people receiving services, families, staff, and others involved with systems
- Respond by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices
- Seeks to actively resist re-traumatization
The 6 Guiding Principles to a Trauma Informed Approach (SAMHSA)
- Safety
- Trustworthiness and transparency
- Peer Support
- Collaboration and mutuality
- Empowerment, voice and choice
- Cultural, historical, and gender issues
Anyone will benefit from becoming trauma informed. However, it is critical for people and organizations who provide health and social services to become trauma informed – particularly if they serve individuals and families who have experienced trauma or who bear disproportionate risk for adversities such as racism or poverty. This is not only essential for the well-being of the clients being served but for those who provide services.
Resilient Clatsop County supports trauma informed approaches.
In this animated video, meet “Dr. Cruz,” who shares what she has learned about caring for patients with exposure to trauma, including abuse, neglect, and violence. Learn more at the Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center.
Resources for Trauma Informed Care
