Trauma-Informed Care

What is Trauma?

Trauma refers to an event or circumstances perceived or experienced as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening.

To help define trauma we use the 3 E’s:

• Event or a single incident or set of circumstances.
• Experiences that an individual has that are physically or emotionally harmful or life‑threatening.
• Effects that can cause long-term harm to an individual’s mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.

What Does It Mean to Provide Trauma-Informed Care? 

Trauma-informed care is an approach that focuses on the “whole” person and is grounded in understanding each person’s lived experiences and the factors that shape their well-being. It recognizes that traumatic experiences can be deeply distressing and overwhelming. Trauma-informed care aims to create safety, build trust, offer choice, and avoid situations that may remind someone of past trauma.

What Are the Benefits of Providing Trauma-Informed Care?

A trauma‑informed care approach supports the well‑being of both clients and staff across the organization. It helps clients participate in their care, build trusting relationships with providers, and achieve better long‑term health outcomes. For staff, it can also help to reduce burnout and support greater stability within the workforce.

The 4 R’s of Trauma‑Informed Care

Trauma-Informed Care is centered around the 4 R’s which are:

• Realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands possible paths to recovery. 
• Recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the organization. 
• Responds by including knowledge about trauma into its policies, procedures, and everyday practices. 
• Resists re‑traumatization of individuals in all interactions and environments. 

This approach helps organizations understand how trauma affects people. It supports creating safe, caring spaces where people can build coping skills and supports ongoing healing.

Trauma‑Informed Care Is Grounded in Core Principles

Several core principles can guide organizations and staff in supporting and applying a trauma-informed care lens when delivering programs and services for the public:

Safety

• Provides an environment where clients and staff feel physically, emotionally and culturally safe. 

Trustworthiness and Transparency

• Trust is built when decisions and processes are clear, consistent, and open to feedback across the organization.

Empowerment 

• Building upon individual strengths and skills to support growth and strengthen support networks. 
• Understanding that seeking help takes courage and strength.

Choice

• Individuals are supported in making choices about their health goals and plan of care, promoting a sense of control and focusing on what is most important to them. 

Collaboration

• Trauma-informed care must be organization wide. 
• Creates relationships that feel safe, respectful, and supportive.

Peer Support

• Involving individuals with lived experience in service planning and delivery of care.
• Using peer advocates/support groups to reduce isolation and strengthen supportive care.

Culture, Historical Trauma, and Gender Diversity

• Actively work to understand and move past cultural stereotypes and biases.
• Creating polices and services that include gender-responsive care and addresses historical trauma and past experiences. 

By using the core principles of trauma-informed care in policies and everyday work, organizations can create environments that are safer, more caring, and fair. Visit our sample policies webpage for a policy on Trauma-Informed Care Principles and ACEs awareness training.