Trauma Informed Care 101

Recently, I completed a grad class on the topic of trauma counseling and crisis intervention. What I have learned is only the tip of the iceberg in providing trauma informed care. However, everything that I have learned has been so impactful on how I interact with and conceptualize all my clients, not only those that sought counseling for trauma.

It is important to realize that the experience of trauma likely results in disempowerment and disconnection from others. Recovery is based on the empowerment of the client and the client establishing new connections. In the establishment of new connections, the capabilities that were damaged because of trauma experienced can be reformed. What do I mean by capabilities? I am referring to the capability to trust, to feel safe, and to love. These are a few capabilities that are often damaged when one experiences trauma. The client must reform these capabilities. What do I mean by reform? I mean that the client must re-establish within themselves how they define and experience these capabilities. For example, “those that love us will not physically harm us”.

Unfortunately, reformation cannot be done in isolation. Many of those that experience trauma go to a place of isolation, whether that place of isolation is mental, physical, emotional, or all three. Isolation is safe. Isolation is controlled.  However, the reformation of damaged capabilities needs to happen in the context of relationships. One important relationship for trauma survivors to do reformation work is their relationship with their therapist.

As a therapist working with a client that has experienced trauma, our role is that of an assistant to our client. Our goals should be that of restoring power, reducing isolation, diminishing helplessness, and countering the dynamics of dominance in approach to the client. Our clients are forever in control of their own recovery. No amount of counseling or support will help the client recover if the client is not in control of their own recovery. Validating the client’s experiences and recognizing and encouraging strengths increases empowerment and autonomy. We are to strive for technical neutrality, which means that we do not try to direct our client’s lives or take sides in their inner conflicts. Most importantly, while we strive for technical neutrality, we must take a moral stance. In taking a moral stance, we make it a point to understand the injustice of our client’s experience and validate their experience.

If you would like to speak to a professional counselor or psychologist about this and are in the Chicago area, please feel free to contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 West 167^th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.

Hillary R.,

Masters Level Intern, 2023

Sources –

Herman, J. (2023). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence–from domestic abuse to political terror. Perseus.