Clinically Reviewed By Nitasha Strait, Ph.D., M.Ed., MA, LMFT, CST
Working through past trauma is a common reason many individuals seek treatment. As more individuals seek support, the demand for trauma-informed care has significantly increased. Trauma-Informed Care as a therapeutic approach is critical within mental health services and the behavioral health services framework, as it shifts the focus from “What is wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”
As someone seeking support for trauma histories, you will benefit from understanding what trauma-informed care entails and how to find trauma-informed organizations and medical professionals equipped to guide you through healing from traumatic experiences.
What is Trauma?
Before discussing trauma-informed practices, we must first define trauma. Trauma is subjective and can vary greatly. For some, it is a deeply disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, often leading to long-term emotional, mental, and even physical health consequences. The long-term impact of childhood trauma through the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study is well documented. However, for some people, smaller, less catastrophic, but certainly hurtful experiences are considered traumatic.
Trauma is often categorized as Big-T traumas—catastrophic events like natural disasters, violent crimes, or physical, sexual, emotional abuse, or neglect—and Little-t traumas, which involve prolonged exposure to stressful situations like childhood misattunement, workplace stress, or relationship problems. Both types of trauma can result in secondary traumatic stress and have a profound impact on an individual’s physical and mental health.
Additionally, complex trauma is another vital concept to understand. It refers to repeated exposures to traumatic events, often starting in childhood, such as enduring sexual abuse or witnessing physical violence (big T Traumas) or repeated misattunement or exposure to a parent with severe mental health issues (small T traumas). Complex trauma disrupts normal development, leading to severe, long-term emotional and mental health consequences, and requires a specific, trauma-informed approach to treatment.
Explore the different types of trauma recognized by the American Psychological Association.
What is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-informed care is an approach in mental health and behavioral services that recognizes the prevalence of trauma in individuals’ lives and seeks to create a supportive environment. Instead of asking, “What is wrong with you?” clinicians ask, “What happened to you?” to understand the root causes of emotional and psychological struggles.
Why is Trauma-Informed Care Important?
Trauma is pervasive, with 60% of adults in the U.S. having experienced at least one traumatic event. Recognizing this widespread impact, the Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration (SABMHS) has emphasized the importance of training clinicians to provide trauma-specific services.
Traditional mental health treatments often focus on symptom management, which can unintentionally cause re-traumatization if the deeper impact of trauma is not addressed. This, in turn, has led to many patients disengaging from treatment planning and abandoning care altogether.
Clinicians trained in trauma-informed care understand the prevalence of trauma and adapt their practices to avoid re-traumatization while providing holistic support. Trauma-informed practices lead to better outcomes: reduced symptoms, improved physical health, fewer substance abuse issues, enhanced coping skills, and greater social connection.
Unfortunately, many clinicians are not adequately trained in this approach. This gap in training—often leading to staff turnover and inadequate care—reinforces the need for individuals to seek providers who use a trauma-informed approach when engaging in health services. The team at The Better You Institute is trained in trauma-informed care and prides itself on upholding the level of care necessary for those with traumatic histories to heal.
What are the 6 Key Principles of Trauma-Informed Care:
- Safety: This is foundational. Clients need to feel safe—emotionally, physically, and psychologically. This means creating a space where they feel secure and respected. A therapist’s tone, body language, and office environment all contribute to this. It’s okay to expect your therapist to be aware of these as they lead the therapy session.
- Trustworthiness and Transparency: Therapists should be open about their processes and what clients can expect. Clear communication about confidentiality, treatment plans, and boundaries helps build trust.
- Peer Support: Highlight the role of shared experiences in healing. Trauma survivors often feel isolated, so acknowledging that others have gone through similar experiences can be powerful.
- Collaboration and Mutuality: Trauma-informed care is collaborative. The power dynamic between therapist and client should be balanced to the greatest possible extent. Your therapist should use language emphasizing partnership, such as “Let’s work on this together” or “What feels most comfortable for you?”
- Empowerment, Voice, and Choice: Trauma often strips people of their sense of control. Therapists should help clients regain control by offering choices and encouraging them to express their needs. Phrases like “You are the expert on your own experience” or “Would you like to pause here or keep going?” foster empowerment.
- Cultural, Historical, and Gender Sensitivity: A trauma-informed therapist should be mindful of the broader context of a client’s trauma. Understand that historical and cultural oppression may compound their experience. Language should be respectful and attuned to the client’s cultural identity.
What Should I Expect from a Trauma-Informed Therapy Session?
In a trauma-informed therapy session, clinicians create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel empowered to share their experiences. Therapy may involve discussing trauma triggers, learning coping skills, and understanding how past trauma affects current beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and behavior. The therapist avoids re-traumatization by maintaining trust, transparency, and respecting the client’s boundaries.
Language to Use with Trauma Clients:
When working with trauma survivors, every word carries weight. The goal is to communicate in a way that is validating, supportive, and non-triggering. Here are key linguistic approaches you should look for your therapist to use if you want a trauma-informed therapist.
- Validate the Experience:
- Instead of minimizing trauma or focusing on silver linings, acknowledge the pain. A trauma-informed therapist should say things like, “That sounds incredibly difficult” or “I hear that this has been overwhelming for you.”
- Use Grounding Language:
- Trauma can disorient clients. Use language that helps them stay in the present moment. Phrases that foster grounding , “Let’s take a deep breath together” or “Notice your feet on the ground” can help them reorient themselves to the hear and now.
- Avoid “Why” Questions:
- “Why” questions can feel blaming or intrusive. Instead of asking, “Why didn’t you leave?” ask, “What was it like for you in that situation?” This change removes judgment and invites the client to explore their experience safely.
- Offer Choices to Reclaim Control:
- Trauma survivors often feel powerless, so offering options during sessions like, “Would you like to stop here or continue?” gives them a sense of agency and allows them to control the pace of the session.
- Use Non-Pathologizing Language:
- Refrain from labeling trauma reactions as “disorders.” Instead of saying, “You’re experiencing PTSD,” say, “What you’re going through is a natural response to what happened.” This shifts the focus from pathology to resilience.
- Check-in Frequently:
- Clients may feel overwhelmed during trauma work. Phrases like, “How are you feeling right now?” or “Is this conversation okay for you?” show your attentiveness and concern for their well-being in real time.
- Honor Their Strengths:
- Trauma survivors are resilient, and it’s vital to highlight that. Use affirming language like, “It took so much strength to survive that” or “You’ve shown incredible resilience in coping with this.”
Recognizing Trauma-Informed Providers
Clinicians well-versed in trauma-informed care work to explore what happened to you that may have felt traumatic rather than concentrate solely on your current symptoms. They employ screening tools to identify trauma histories and adapt their treatment to each individual’s unique circumstances. These clinicians are trained in handling substance abuse and mental health conditions, acknowledging that the two often co-exist. Moreover, trauma-informed therapists use empowering language that helps you feel more in the driver’s seat of your life.
Trauma-informed care is not a technique—it’s a philosophy that should permeate all aspects of your therapeutic experience. The therapist’s goal is to create a space of safety, trust, and empowerment for their clients. Be mindful of their language and how it can either build trust or unintentionally reinforce trauma. By integrating these principles and language strategies into their practice, a trauma-informed therapist will foster a healing environment that honors the client’s journey and promotes recovery.
Trauma-informed care also recognizes the impact of trauma across various service systems, from hospitals to schools. The National Center for Trauma and Behavioral Health underscores the importance of these principles being embedded across all health settings, including physical examination procedures and broader health services.
Learn more about the importance of trauma and mental health services as recommended by SAMHSA.
What are the Benefits of Trauma-Informed Therapy?
Trauma-informed therapy helps individuals manage the long-term effects of trauma by addressing the emotional, cognitive, and physical impact. Key benefits include improved coping mechanisms, reduced anxiety and depression, better interpersonal relationships, and a reduced risk of re-traumatization.
What Types of Trauma Does Trauma-Informed Care Address?
Trauma-informed care can address a variety of traumas, including physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, neglect, domestic violence, and childhood trauma. It also includes care for individuals who have experienced complex or chronic trauma from long-term exposure to distressing events.
How Can I Find a Trauma-Informed Therapist?
To find a trauma-informed therapist, look for professionals who specialize in trauma recovery, have certifications in trauma-informed care, and practice approaches like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), or somatic therapies. The Better You Institute in Philadelphia offers trauma-informed services, which can be a great resource for individuals needing specialized care.
Trauma-Informed Providers at Better You Institute
At Better You Institute, we understand the lasting impact that trauma can have on your life. Our trauma-informed clinicians are specially trained to recognize and respond to trauma, using evidence-based screening tools to identify trauma histories and adapt treatment to each individual’s unique needs. We offer comprehensive trauma-sensitive care to help you heal and regain control of your life. We also offer a supportive group for individuals healing from trauma.
Trauma isn’t just something that happened in the past—it can shape how you feel, think, and react in the present. Have you survived a traumatic event in your past? Do you feel like it’s holding you back from living the life you want? At Better You Institute, we specialize in helping individuals just like you who feel stuck under a cloud of negative emotions. If you’re feeling weighed down, unmotivated, or struggling with inner conflict, our therapists are here to help you break free and reclaim your life.
You don’t have to fight this battle alone.
At Better You Institute, we focus on healing the whole person, ensuring that our trauma-informed services support your emotional and mental well-being. We provide a safe space where you can explore your thoughts, identify patterns that may be holding you back, and start making meaningful changes. It’s time to take that step toward the future you deserve.
Ready to start your journey of healing? Contact Better You Institute today to schedule a consultation and begin transforming your life with trauma-informed care.
Call us now at 267-495-4951 or visit our website to learn more about our trauma recovery programs and specialized therapy options.
What Trauma-Informed Services Does the Better You Institute in Philadelphia Provide?
The Better You Institute in Philadelphia offers various trauma-informed services, including individual therapy, couples therapy, and group therapy. Our clinicians are trained in trauma-sensitive approaches that empower clients, provide emotional safety, and help individuals start the healing process.
Final Thoughts
With the right providers, the process of recovery becomes more manageable. Whether you’re recovering from trauma exposure in your family, community, or past, finding the right trauma-informed clinician is important for achieving well-being. Mental health services that encourage trauma-informed practices are necessary to help patients recover from the effects of trauma, allowing them to regain control of their lives and improve their overall health.
Ready to begin your healing? Contact The Better You Institute to schedule an appointment today.
