Have you ever avoided the doctor or hospital because you’re worried you won’t be understood? You get a cut – they slap a bandaid on it. You have the flu – they give you a flu shot. If you have strep throat, they give you antibiotics. No matter the problem, hospitals, doctors, and nurses always seem to have a test or medicine that can help you solve all of your health problems.
But what if there isn’t a quick fix for you? What if there’s a larger issue at hand that can’t be so easily fixed with a bandaid and/or some medicine? How are they supposed to care for you then? When it comes to trauma, there isn’t a quick fix or an easy solution. There isn’t even a rulebook to follow because it isn’t the same across the board.
Let’s learn more about Trauma-Informed Care, what exactly it is, and how it’s helpful.
What is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-Informed Care is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a form of care where providers can better recognize, understand and empathize with their patients. When it comes to trauma, it can be easy for a patient to feel like they’re being re-traumatized. This is especially true regarding emotional, physical, or sexual trauma victims. Trauma-Informed Care helps to educate healthcare providers on how they should interact with their clients in the best way possible based on their trauma.
The 6 Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
1. Safety
The first principle, safety, means everyone feels physically, mentally, and emotionally safe. This includes the organization, patients, as well as staff.
2. Trustworthiness and Transparency
Transparency and trust go hand in hand with a Trauma-Informed Care approach. A provider will be fully transparent when any type of decision is being made. This includes any checks, tests, medicines, etc. The overall goal is to build and maintain trust.
3. Peer Support
Peer support provides shared experiences that help clients feel safe and known and provide evidence-based care.
4. Collaboration and Mutuality
Patients and providers are equally involved in the treatment process. No decision will be made by one party. Each decision will be discussed and evaluated together and based on the goals of the treatment.
5. Empowerment and Choice
The patient and staff work together to move forward. No person will be seen as above someone else. Everyone is equal, with the common goal of bettering the patient’s health.
6. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues
Care is provided based on culture, age, history, geography, sexual orientation, and any past trauma. Any biases and stereotypes are considered and addressed. Caregivers will be cautious of how they treat people based on their own personal lives.
How Trauma-Informed Care is Helpful
There are many benefits of Trauma-Informed Care. For one, it can eliminate any anxiety or potential triggers that may normally be present in a medical environment. By implementing Trauma-Informed Care, providers can better understand the full picture of a patient’s life. Re-traumatization can be avoided by taking the time to understand the full scope.
Another huge benefit of Trauma-Informed Care is its overall effectiveness. Trauma-Informed Care has been shown to increase not only the interactions with patients but the effectiveness of the treatments as well. Better long-term solutions and treatment plans are possible with this form of treatment.
Next Steps
Trauma-Informed Care is a type of care that considers each person individually. Trauma is unique to each individual, depending on the exact cause of the trauma and their overall history. There isn’t a one size fits all approach to trauma.
If you think Trauma-Informed Care is the missing element in your healing journey, contact us soon. Our therapists are trained and equipped to help trauma victims feel safe and cared for in trauma therapy.