What is Trauma-Informed Care?

 

Trauma-Informed Care was rolled out in the late 1990s in an effort to ensure providers of care  take the effects of trauma experienced by their patients into account when diagnosing and treating them. 


This effort happened because scientists and doctors were realizing the impact of trauma, especially of multiple traumas on a person. Neuroimaging and other scientific research was uncovering how repetitive trauma can cause your brain, nervous system and body to malfunction or get stuck in a state of reactivity and inflammation.


Trauma-Informed Care was supposed to change the often hierarchical dynamic in clinical service delivery to more of a partnered approach. Abuse steals the voice and freedom of the abused and leaves them feeling like an observer in their own life with no way to impact or lessen the horror they experience. Trauma-Informed Care was meant to give patient's their voice back and come along side them in diagnosing their challenges and creating a treatment plan. 


When you are receiving "Trauma-Informed Care" you should experience the following:

  • A sense of physical and psychological safety.
  • Transparency with decisions and trustworthiness such that your provider shares with you what they are thinking is causing your challenges, any diagnoses they think are applicable, and what treatment they think will be helpful for you.
  • Collaborative decision making between you and your provider including exploration of what you think is wrong and what you think would be helpful for your healing. 
  • Empowerment through a focus on your resilience and ability to heal. Your provider should show great regard and respect for what you have navigated. 


The problem is there are a lot of providers out there that say they are providing “trauma-informed care” when they are not. In actuality the treatment they are delivering is very hierarchical. In fact, the provider may be telling you what is wrong, what you need to do, and not listening to you at all. If your provider is not partnering with you, the treatment reinforces the dynamics that started during your trauma exposure. 


If this has been your experience, it may be time to find a new provider who really is treating you in a way that respects what you’ve navigated and your amazing strength to keep showing up! So, whatever intervention or treatment you try is just additive to the transformative nature of your relationship with your provider. Treatment should encourage you to use your voice and express your thoughts, beliefs and desires. 


For more information, go to https://www.resolvetorise.com/
For guidance on recovering from Complex PTSD, read my book Resolve to Rise: Become Greater than Your Circumstances

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