A trauma centred approach can be characterised by the following 4 C’s – calm, contain, care and cope.
This type of care focuses on clients seen in professional settings such as child welfare, forensics, health, mental health, homeless services, and family services. These individuals may have experienced trauma exposure and are at risk for a variety of social, emotional, behavioural and physical problems. It aims to reduce long-term negative impacts by promoting resilience and understanding the relationship between trauma and related issues.
Creating safe spaces and environments (physical, emotional, and interpersonal) is at the heart of a trauma centred approach. This includes ensuring patients and their families feel physically safe in agency public spaces and offices, providing clear and consistent boundaries, and addressing confidentiality concerns. It also involves helping clients feel emotionally and psychologically safe in working relationships by fostering a trusting relationship based on validation, empathy, and support. The practitioner can become aware of their own triggers and the effects of trauma on themselves in their work with those under their care. For details on Trauma informed training, consider https://www.tidaltraining.co.uk
To approach clients with a focus on trauma, a shift is required from solely medical perspectives to those of societal and psychological impacts. Using a trauma lens allows clinicians to frame symptoms, such as PTSD, in terms of their biological basis, thereby helping clients understand the root causes of their experiences rather than seeing them as signs of psychiatric illness. It also means recognising that trauma is associated with significant negative social and economic costs for all involved and that a societal commitment to addressing trauma is essential.