Trauma-Informed Care: A Compassionate Approach to Healing
Written by Marin Campbell, PT, DPT, RYT-200.
In recent years, there’s been a growing recognition within the health and wellness communities about the profound impact of trauma on overall health and well-being. Trauma-informed care represents a paradigm shift in how we approach healthcare, emphasizing understanding, empathy, and collaboration in the healing process. A trauma-informed healthcare provider’s goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to heal and thrive. This fits well with a holistic approach to health, in which multiple dimensions of health – physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual – are taken into consideration as practitioner and client work together.
So, what exactly does trauma-informed health and wellness care look like?
It begins with recognizing that trauma is nearly ubiquitous in our society and can manifest in individuals in various forms, showing up as physical, emotional, and/or psychological symptoms. Whether it stems from childhood experiences, interpersonal violence, overt or covert racism, a complex or difficult medical history, or other adverse events, trauma can deeply affect an individual's health outcomes and their interactions with healthcare systems.
Trauma-informed healthcare providers prioritize building trust and establishing rapport
This involves actively listening to their experiences, validating their feelings, and respecting their autonomy. By creating a sense of safety and predictability, providers encourage patients to engage in their care and feel empowered to make informed and supported health decisions.
Trauma-informed care also recognizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. Instead of solely focusing on symptoms or diagnoses, practitioners consider the holistic needs of individuals and understand that underlying traumas may be contributing to their health concerns. This might involve integrating complementary therapies such as mindfulness, yoga, breathwork, or meditation to promote healing and resilience or just moving at a slower pace, guided by the client’s experience.
Additionally, trauma-informed care emphasizes cultural humility and sensitivity to diversity. Recognizing that individuals from different backgrounds may have unique experiences of trauma and healing, healthcare providers strive to create inclusive and culturally competent environments where all patients feel seen, heard, and valued.
Examples of Trauma-Informed Therapy Techniques Practiced by DHHC Providers:
IFS (Internal Family Systems), also referred to as “parts work”
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Safe and Sound Protocol
Somatic Experiencing
Polyvagal Theory
Yoga
Collaboration is another integral aspect of trauma-informed care
Rather than adopting an authoritative approach, health and wellness providers work alongside their patients as partners in the healing journey. This means involving patients in treatment planning, respecting their expertise about their own bodies and experiences, and fostering a sense of empowerment and agency.
Finally, trauma-informed care may also extend beyond the walls of the clinic or hospital. It can involve advocating for systemic changes that address the root causes of trauma, such as poverty, racism, and inequality and especially supporting accessibility in healthcare. By promoting social justice and equity in health and wellness and beyond, providers can help create communities that support healing and well-being for all.
Trauma-informed care is more than treating symptoms; it's about healing, resilience, and empowerment
By embracing principles of empathy, collaboration, and cultural humility, healthcare providers can create environments where individuals feel safe to heal and thrive. Part of our mission in the Denver Holistic Health Collective is to contribute to a future where trauma-informed care is not just a model but a fundamental aspect of healthcare for all.