What is “Trauma-Informed?”

“Trauma-informed” is an approach that assumes an individual is more likely than not to have a history of trauma. It seeks to shift the conversation from “what is wrong with them?” to “what happened to them?”.

Rather than solely focusing on problematic feelings and behaviors, trauma-informed counseling aims to understand what happened to people that caused those feelings or behaviors in the first place.

Trauma can take many forms, from interpersonal violence, sexual assault, and medical trauma to natural disasters, institutionalized oppression, war-related trauma, and the loss of a loved one. Many people who have experienced trauma face doubt, judgment, and even the possibility of experiencing further trauma. People who have experienced trauma are more likely to develop severe mental health issues, social and emotional problems, harmful coping mechanisms, and serious diseases.

On an organizational or systemic level, being trauma-informed changes organizational culture to emphasize respecting and appropriately responding to the effects of trauma at all levels. Trauma-informed consulting services can help facilitate an environment that is supportive and conducive to healing. This can lead to increased productivity, reduced staff turnover, and a more positive work culture.