Blog

By Dr. Aaron Ellington, PhD, LPCC-S, LICDC-CS

Trauma-informed care is an approach to treatment that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and emphasizes safety, trust, and empowerment. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?” this perspective asks “What happened to you?” The shift may seem small, but it changes how people experience support and healing.

What Trauma-Informed Care Means

Trauma-informed care acknowledges that many people seeking therapy, medical care, or social services have experienced trauma at some point. Trauma isn’t just limited to one type of event—it can include physical or emotional abuse, neglect, domestic violence, community violence, natural disasters, accidents, serious medical conditions, or systemic oppression. Trauma can be single-incident (like a car accident) or chronic and ongoing (like repeated abuse or discrimination). Both can deeply affect the way people think, feel, and respond to stress.
A trauma-informed approach doesn’t require that someone share every detail of their history. Instead, it assumes that trauma may be present and builds services around compassion, respect, and understanding.

The Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Care

• Safety: The foundation is creating physical and emotional safety. This could mean a calming environment, respectful communication, or predictable routines.
• Trustworthiness and Transparency: Professionals are clear, consistent, and honest, explaining processes so there are no surprises.
• Peer Support: Connecting with others who have lived experience can reduce isolation and build hope.
• Collaboration and Mutuality: Clients are treated as partners in the process, not passive recipients of care.
• Empowerment, Voice, and Choice: Trauma often strips people of control. Trauma-informed care restores it by giving clients options and focusing on strengths.
• Cultural, Historical, and Gender Awareness: Trauma doesn’t occur in a vacuum. Understanding the role of racism, poverty, sexism, and discrimination ensures that care is respectful and relevant.

Why Trauma-Informed Care Is Important

• Reduces Re-traumatization: Traditional approaches may unintentionally trigger painful memories. Trauma-informed care is careful with language, procedures, and boundaries to minimize harm.
• Builds Trust and Engagement: People with trauma histories may find it difficult to trust others. A transparent and compassionate approach helps individuals feel more willing to engage in treatment.
• Restores Power and Control: Trauma often creates feelings of helplessness. By offering choices and validating experiences, trauma-informed care helps people rebuild confidence and self-agency.
• Improves Outcomes Across Settings: Trauma-informed approaches have been shown to improve treatment retention, lower dropout rates, and support stronger long-term recovery in both mental health and medical settings.

Putting Trauma-Informed Care Into Practice

Trauma-informed care is not a single intervention but a mindset applied across different settings:

• In Therapy: A therapist might let clients set the pace of sessions, ask permission before exploring sensitive topics, and provide grounding tools when emotions feel overwhelming.
• In Healthcare: Doctors and nurses may explain each step of a procedure, check in regularly about comfort levels, and avoid dismissive language.
• In Schools: Teachers may create predictable routines, allow flexibility in assignments, and avoid punitive discipline approaches that could mimic past trauma.
• In the Workplace: Employers may promote psychological safety by normalizing breaks, offering mental health resources, and responding with empathy instead of judgment when employees struggle.

In Summary: Trauma-informed care matters because it shifts the focus from judgment to compassion. It creates safe, empowering environments where people feel supported, understood, and capable of healing—no matter what they’ve been through.

At Behavioral Health Services of Greater Cleveland, we specialize in evidence-based therapies tailored to your unique needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore the best options for your mental health journey. Behavioral Health Services of Greater Cleveland has two locations for in-person sessions (Rocky River and Medina), and Telehealth is available. Please call (866) 466-9591 ext. 0 for an intake.