It is estimated that more than two-thirds of the U.S. population will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, and a study by the World Health Organization puts that number closer to 70% globally. Trauma transcends all boundaries and demographics, including gender, race, age, and socioeconomic status, though it is more common in the lives of those with mental health or substance use disorders. The prevalence of trauma and its impact on individuals and our communities make addressing trauma a critical need in our lives and communities today.
The L.A. County Department of Public Health defines trauma-informed care as “an adjusted approach based on the acknowledgment of the prevalence of trauma.” Put another way, trauma-informed care shifts the approach and focal point away from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” Seeking to understand the impact of past traumatic events on an individual’s present reality leads to better outcomes for physical, psychological, and emotional safety.
While trauma-informed care is commonly encountered in behavioral health settings and through treatment, organizations and entire systems such as school districts or places of work can become trauma-informed. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has outlined six core principles of a trauma-informed care approach:
Trauma is an event or circumstance that results in physical, emotional, or life-threatening harm. Traumatic events may be experienced or they may be witnessed, and they may be short or long in duration. Trauma has a lasting impact on a person’s health, including mental, physical, and emotional health. Just a few examples of trauma that may have lasting effects include neglect, physical or sexual abuse, family alcohol or substance use disorders, environmental disasters, such as wildfires or earthquakes, or other forms of violence.
SAMHSA’s Three E’s of Trauma: Events, Experiences, and Effects can also help identify and define trauma: “Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.”
Several factors can heighten the influence of trauma on our lives. The degree to which the trauma caused injury; our age and understanding of the events at the time of occurrence; the reaction, support, or lack of support from others around us following the traumatic event; and the extent to which our lives were impacted afterwards are just a few of the many factors that can play into the overall influence trauma plays in our lives.
Trauma-informed care has evolved since its earliest days in the 1960s and 1970s. For many clients, this was an approach that allowed them to share their traumatic experiences without judgment, perhaps for the first time. Trauma-informed care has helped create environments that are physically and psychologically safer for clients and also reduced the likelihood of re-traumatization. It is credited with improving outcomes across society in systems such as education and healthcare. The elements of empowerment in a trauma-informed approach give survivors an opportunity to take more control over their treatment and recovery. Trauma-informed care has also helped to reduce stigma and foster understanding by encouraging everyone, not just clinicians, to seek understanding of a person’s lived experiences.
If you or a loved one have experienced trauma and are looking for support, we are here to help. Our team of compassionate treatment providers have several therapy options to help you on your path to healing. If you are searching for a personalized treatment plan free of judgment but full of understanding, look no further. Please connect with us today to discuss the treatment options that are right for you or your loved one.
