What is Trauma-Informed Care?

Apr 13

What does it mean to be trauma informed? You may have noticed a lot of people are claiming to be trauma informed now. This is great that people are taking trauma seriously and there is a desire to build awareness around this.

The trauma informed care movement has come as a result of The ACE’s (Adverse Child Experiences) studies. The ACE’s study showed the world that childhood trauma is serious and has some very damaging outcomes in the lives of the people that experienced it. We also learned from these studies that childhood trauma is sadly very commonplace. It became important to be trauma informed because—as it turns out—mostly every human being has experienced trauma. This means that people need to be addressed with care and consideration—because we do not know the extent of the trauma they have faced in their lifetime.

Also, within the trauma informed movement is a push towards being ‘non-pathologizing.’ This means, not thinking of people in terms of having disorders or having something wrong with them' that needs to be fixed but to see their mental health struggles as a result of trauma.

Is my therapist trauma informed checklist:

My therapist may gently challenge me but does not push me___

Therapist does not pressure me to talk about traumatic stories from my past___

My therapist asks for consent before we do something___

My therapist gives me choices or options___

My therapist does not try to ‘fix me’___

My therapist will check in with me throughout the session to make sure I am still feeling comfortable___

My therapist is has knowkedge of the polyvagal theory in order to help track what nervous system state I am in___

Bonus: My therapist has attended a training or has a additional certification in being trauma informed or being specialized in trauma work___

ACEs Assessment:

While you were growing up, during your first 18 years of life:

1. Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often… Swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you? or Act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt?

YES NO If yes, enter 1 _____

2. Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often… Push, grab, slap, or throw something at you? or Ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?

YES NO If yes, enter 1 _____

3. Did an adult or person at least five years older than you ever… Touch or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way? or Attempt or actually have oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with you?

YES NO If yes, enter 1 _____

4. Did you often or very often feel that… No one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special? or Your family didn’t look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?

YES NO If yes, enter 1 _____

5. Did you often or very often feel that … You didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect you? or Your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor if you needed it?

YES NO If yes, enter 1 _____

6. Were your parents ever separated or divorced?

YES NO If yes, enter 1 _____

7. Was your mother or stepmother: Often or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her? or Sometimes, often, or very often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard? or Ever repeatedly hit at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife?

YES NO If yes, enter 1 _____

8. Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic or who used street drugs?

YES NO If yes, enter 1 _____

9. Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide?

YES NO If yes, enter 1 _____

10. Did a household member go to prison?

YES NO If yes, enter 1 _____

Now add up your “Yes” answers: _______. This is your ACE Score