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What is the Trauma-Informed Approach in Therapy?

Updated: May 26, 2023

Trauma-Informed Therapy

Therapies are a way of helping a patient get out of physical distress without using medical procedures. Several methods exist for treating a person with old and fast rules. But with the advent of therapies, it is now easier to treat people. Therapists use therapies to conduct research-based treatment of clients. The search for trauma therapists near me is increasing since these methods are currently more effective. Trauma-informed therapy is a big stepping stone in the field of treatment of trauma patients. A trauma-informed therapist uses the same method as other therapists. However, details differ, which makes it excessively focused and rightful.



What is the Trauma-Informed Approach in Therapy?

The illustrative purpose of a therapist is to use words and counseling styles to treat patients. Not all medical issues involve a good results through therapies. But trauma happens to be where a person needs proper counseling the most. In trauma-informed treatment, therapists use the method of working with an experience of trauma with the patient. In the case of a traumatic event, chunks of events generally remain at the back of the mind.

During trauma therapies, therapists use their skills to bring out these events that help them deal with patients effectively. These events must be discussed since they alter a person's mental health, behavior, and engagement. This practical approach uses a solid concrete base to treat a patient so that traumatic events get erased from their memory.

In essence, with this therapy method, a therapist helps other doctors likewise. While knowing about a person's trauma history, therapists develop a profile of the patient. The patient shares this profile with other doctors alike for various other reasons. And it helps other doctors to deal with the patient likewise.


What is Trauma?

It is imperative to understand trauma in general to understand the details of a trauma-informed approach to treating traumatic events. Traumas refer to specific events that occur in life, leaving us in a never-forgetting sense. In essence, traumatic events leave a lasting impact on our purposes, resulting in fear and threat.


What Does Traumatized Mean?

A person is said to be traumatized after he undergoes a particular event in their life that involves injury, sexual violence, and even death. All these fears get struck in mind, haunting the person for longer. Hence, trauma never ends but continues with a person.

However, dealing with trauma is getting easier with assisted trauma care involving an informed approach. Therapists use these fear states to treat patients by simply working to remove the fears.

Also, people undergo a state of trauma through any of the following reasons:

  • When a person directly experiences the events that lead to/directly involve trauma

  • Witnessing the possibility of injuries, death, and violence while they happen to someone else

  • Upon learning that the event occurred to a close member of the family

  • When you repeatedly come to know about these events over time


6 Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach

To find good trauma counseling near me, look for counselors that focus on 6 principles of trauma-informed therapy. These principles help to establish SOPs and patterns for therapists to deal with trauma-suffering patients.

1. Safety

Treating trauma patients requires providing them with a safe essence and feel. Traumas infuse fear in people, and removing that fear is a real feat. Often, trauma-suffering patients can undergo re-traumatization when sitting in tight spaces with strangers. Your clinic and nursing center can ease them by having wide waiting rooms. Also, a nurse's behavior in dealing with such patients is critical. Nurses must offer physical and emotional harmony to such patients when under their care.


2. Trustworthiness and Transparency

To deal with patients suffering from trauma, the necessity is to bring out their fear factors. But one cannot do this without establishing trustworthiness with the counselor. A nurse or therapist should develop a sense of transparency with the patient. This will ensure they release the fears and events of trauma that continue to haunt them. And they will find it easier to treat the patients effectively.

3. Peer Support

Medical professionals such as therapists, doctors, and nurses involved in this treatment should know the details of trauma-informed methods. These methods will help all medical professionals learn how to deal with patients with different mindsets and care. Also, it will ensure what doctors need to do, from fixing the issues to treating or providing a cure or healing.


4. Collaboration and Mutuality

A patient is not just a person but a member helping a medical organization to treat others better. Every person brings a new case, and dealing with this brilliantly ensures new planning for future possibilities. Medical organizations must work with medical professionals, patients, and nurses alike to develop better treatment plans that will help prospective patients.


5. Empowerment, Voice, and Choice

This trauma-dealing approach is all about treating patients through learning about their experiences. For this, nurses and doctors must develop a sense of empowerment in patients. It will allow them to bring out their sense and side of the traumatic stories. Releasing the fear and stress will enable patients to share constructive things about trauma treatments.


6. Cultural Issues

Patients develop and contain several cultural bases that they require. These requests must be respected to ensure any biasness does not stand up to hinder a patient's needs. For example, some patients might want to get treated by a female nurse. If there is no female nurse present, at best, a female correspondent must be present nearby to ensure the patient's mental well-being.


Becoming a Trauma-Informed Counselor

To become a perfect trauma-informed therapist, learn about trauma-informed care and how a therapist must be actively present. Traumas bring out a different person from within, and dealing with them requires the utmost respect. A good therapist cannot be one until he figures out his capability by answering the following questions.

  • The training they possess regarding trauma-informed treatment. Nurses and doctors are always advised to undergo dedicated training programs.

  • Being trauma-informed is the key to coming into this profession. And you must possess the proper meaning knowledge about what being trauma-informed means.

  • By your style and knowledge, what do you think will be your dealing with patients suffering from trauma? Or what will be your approach in this regard?

  • What kind of traumas do you feel easy to work with? There can be many trauma types, from sexual violence to one even involving death.

  • And at what pace does your treatment moves with patients suffering from trauma? Do you like to give patients ample time, or is it about managing a schedule?

Dealing with traumas is challenging and different from other illnesses and treatments. And with an informed approach is all about counseling style and technique. Once you get your patient to talk about their experience, it is simpler and easier for you. By following principles, rules, and tips, one can have an informative and healthy session with their patients.

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