While trauma-specific interventions are a piece of the puzzle, true trauma-informed care encompasses something much broader.

We must develop trauma-informed systems of care
To succeed in our organizational, community and national healthcare goals, we must adopt a systemic approach. The problems engendered by violence cut across multiple service systems – including emergency services, social services, law enforcement, housing, mental health care, primary healthcare, substance abuse treatment,  and domestic violence. All too often trauma survivors cycle in and out of these various systems without ever receiving appropriate services. We can’t let that continue.

In a trauma-informed system, services are survivor-driven, strength-based, recovery-oriented, culturally relevant, gender-specific, hospitable, engaging, collaborative, sensitive, respectful, empowering. They recognize the developmental impact of trauma across physical, emotional, cognitive, social, occupational, and spiritual domains. They appreciate the value of numerous behavioral health manifestations (dissociation, substance use, overeating, acting out, self-injury) that many trauma survivors use as attempts to cope and survive. They employ extreme care to ensure a relationally and environmentally safe care environment where the possibility of inadvertent clinical retraumatization is minimized. They ensure that trauma-sensitive services are delivered regardless of which “door” a survivor enters or whether they ever find their way to a trauma-specific treatment program.

Read more about developing trauma-informed systems, trauma informed organizations, and trauma specific services…