According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, 55% – 99% of women in substance use treatment and 85% – 95% of women in the public mental health system report a history of trauma, with the abuse most commonly having occurred in childhood.

An individual’s experience of trauma impacts every area of human functioning — physical, mental, behavioral, social, spiritual.

Addressing trauma is now the expectation, not the exception, in behavioral health systems.

However, not everyone has experienced trauma or has witnessed trauma. Trauma Informed Care is a way of being - from making sure the facility feels inviting and safe to guiding the client towards their goals without judgement or having the client feel they need the therapists permission to act or feel a certain way.

Trauma-Informed Care takes a collaborative approach, where healing is led by the consumer and supported by the service provider. Together, in a true partnership, people learn from each other. There's greater respect, progress towards healing, and greater efficacy in services.

More specifically, trauma informed care means recognizing and responding to risks of coercion, misuses of power, and the knowledge of why power exists. Trauma informed care focuses on the known impact of power from a person focused strength based perspective in interactions, documentation, notes, and belief.

Statements used in sessions include:

• Your strengths are… 
• How can I help? 
• This must be difficult for you.
• What do you need from me now? 
• One of the things I appreciate is your resilience. 
• How is this affecting you?
• What do you need to feel safer? 
• How can I help you get through this?