Trauma-informed care is an approach to trauma treatment that starts with the assumption that an individual is highly likely to have a history of trauma. The trauma-informed approach acknowledges the existence of trauma and recognizes its potential impact on an individual’s life. Implementing a trauma-informed approach in mental health care fosters healing and recovery, steering clear of practices and services that could unintentionally re-traumatize clients. Here’s what else you should know about how trauma-informed care can help you.

What are the core principles of trauma-informed care?

Six core principles are needed to create a trauma-informed treatment environment. These principles include:

• Safety — Clients and treatment providers should always feel physically and psychologically safe during treatment.

• Trustworthiness and transparency — The reasoning behind treatment decisions should be transparent with the goal of creating and maintaining trust among clients and their treatment providers.

• Peer support — Support from peers who have experienced similar kinds should be available to a client.

• Collaboration — Collaboration should be prioritized in the decision-making process, emphasizing a commitment to working together, rather than solely focusing on the ultimate outcome.

• Empowerment — Treatment providers should recognize and validate the traumatic experiences a client has endured while steadfastly expressing their belief in a client’s ability to recover from these traumas.

• Responsiveness to cultural, racial, age and gender issues — Issues related to culture, race, age and gender should consistently be recognized and validated. 

How can a trauma-informed approach to treatment benefit clients?

Numerous factors highlight the importance of utilizing a trauma-informed approach in treating clients, specifically those who struggle with symptoms related to conditions like PTSD or dissociative identity disorder. Think you may be dealing with PTSD? Take the quiz here. Some benefits of trauma-informed treatment include:

• Establishes a safe treatment environment-— One of the top benefits is that it ensures the creation of a secure space for both clients and their treatment providers. A heightened awareness of trauma and how to address it during treatment contributes to safer physical and emotional surroundings for all. Creating a safe treatment space forms the fundamental foundation for building trust during future sessions.

• Builds trust between a client and licensed clinical therapist — A client who has experienced trauma may be understandably hesitant to form new connections due to their past experiences. Trauma-informed treatment plays a pivotal role in cultivating trust between both parties by acknowledging the complete scope of the client’s trauma and  its impact on their present life.

• Encourages client engagement — Clients who sense understanding and acknowledgment are more inclined to actively participate in their treatment. Conversely, clients who feel misunderstood or overlooked during treatment are less likely to show interest in the therapeutic process.

• Enhances the long-term effectiveness of mental health treatment — Trauma-informed mental health treatment not only enhances immediate client engagement, but also contributes to the long-term effectiveness of the treatment. By addressing the root causes of mental health symptoms, it goes beyond merely alleviating symptoms.

• Reduces the potential for retraumatizing a client — Licensed clinical therapists can enhance their awareness of a client’s traumas and exercise mindfulness regarding these experiences throughout the course of treatment. 

Lightfully provides trauma-informed treatment to our clients

Our mission is to provide data-driven, evidenced-based whole-person-centered care to clients with mental health disorders. That’s why we’re confident that we can help you improve the quality of your life with our trauma-informed treatment providers.

Lightfully offers various levels of care to both adults and teens: Residential Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), also referred to as our Day Treatment Program. We also offer a Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP) for adults. We meet each client where they are and create a long-term treatment plan, with each client’s plan fully customized for their needs.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.