What is a Trauma-Informed Approach?

While searching for a therapist, you may have stumbled across the term trauma-informed approach. So what is a trauma informed approach and why may it be beneficial?

As a trauma therapist, I follow a trauma-informed approach. This means that I look at everything we do through the lens of trauma (kind of like a pair of glasses). During sessions, I am always looking for how past experiences are influencing our present day symptoms. So if you come to therapy for anxiety, I look at your current symptoms of anxiety, and how they may be protective adaptations. 

For example: a person may come in wanting support for anxiety experienced in social situations.

Other therapeutic approaches would look only at current symptoms. This client would likely be labeled with social anxiety and the goal would be to reframe the thoughts and find ways to cope with the anxiety. 

From a trauma lens, I would be curious about where this response comes from and what the anxiety may be trying to do to protect the client. In this situation, I may dig a little deeper and discover that she struggled to get her parent’s approval and often felt like she wasn’t good enough. As she grew up, she learned that in order to maintain relationships, she needed to go above and beyond (or else she feared she would be abandoned). So now, she feels she is always second guessing herself in her relationships and always questions whether she is good enough for those around her. 

Same situation, different approach.

While a more present day focused approach works for some, it can miss some important pieces to fully understanding client’s and where their symptoms come from. Moreover, trauma informed approaches may provide a more comprehensive treatment approach to long lasting healing and change.

Other nuances to a trauma-informed approach include:

• Prioritizing the therapeutic relationship to promote feelings of trust and safety

• Being mindful of how client’s nervous systems are responding throughout the session (and regulating as needed)

• Having an awareness of when we are getting close to traumatic material and being cautious to not flood the client’s system or lead to retraumatization

It can be helpful to find a trauma therapist if you feel like your current symptoms are rooted in your past experiences. It is important to find a therapist who specializes in trauma work and follows evidence-based therapeutic approaches for trauma, like EMDR or IFS (and lots of others). 

If you feel ready to get started on your trauma healing journey, feel free to reach out today to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation!