Trauma-informed care is more than a buzzword, it’s a compassionate approach to healing that addresses the root causes of mental health struggles. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?” patients are asked, “What happened to you?” Acknowledging the delicacy and personal nuances of trauma’s existence is key to trauma-informed treatment, along with a customized holistic therapy approach that creates a feeling of safety and empathy.
Defining Trauma
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, individual trauma is defined as: “Results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.”
Trauma examples can include:
- Childhood neglect
- Experiencing or observing abuse (physical, sexual, and emotional)
- Having a family member with a mental health or substance use disorder
- Experiencing or witnessing violence in the community or military
This list is not exhaustive, but it is a valuable resource and starting point for holistic therapy and patient-provider engagement.
How Trauma Is Approached in Holistic Therapy
Trauma has long-lasting effects on a person’s mind and body. Any exposure to neglect, abuse, discrimination, or violence increases the potential for health problems, mental health complications, and risky behaviors.
When it comes to trauma-informed care, the assumption is that the individual being treated is likely to have a history of trauma. Mental health treatment is shaped and revealed from there. The goal is to provide an environment of healing in holistic recovery, no matter the type of trauma endured.
Trauma-informed carers are trained to recognize trauma as it reveals itself through symptoms, actions, words, and behaviors. Trauma may present as a dual diagnosis, with both mental health and substance abuse disorders requiring attention during detox, diagnosis, and healing.
Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed six guiding principles to a trauma-informed approach during public health emergencies for communities. This information was designed to increase emergency responder awareness about the impact of trauma on communities, but the goals also apply to individuals receiving inpatient mental health therapy.
- Safety: Know that you are in an environment that protects you from the outside elements you fear or that distract you.
- Trustworthiness and transparency: Rely on the highly trained professionals who are focused on your case and healing.
- Peer support: Get to know others who are experiencing similar hurdles and rely on each other as needed.
- Collaboration and mutuality: Feel that you are heard during every therapy session or appointment and that there is a mutual respect between patient and provider.
- Empowerment voice and choice: Come to feel strong enough to be open about trauma as well as needs and goals. Feel empowered to rebuild a sense of control when invited to be involved in care and choices.
- Cultural, historical, and gender issues: Express concerns about personal matters that complicate your mental health and well-being and could continue once holistic therapy is complete.
Empower and Evolve with Trauma-Informed Care
Thanks to a focus on trauma-informed care, providers in outpatient and inpatient holistic therapy realize the value of understanding life experiences to:
- Deliver effective care
- Improve patient engagement
- Boost treatment adherence
- Transform health outcomes
- Provide physical, psychological, and emotional safety
Expect a flexible approach that is not attached to a particular technique or order. The most critical part of trauma-informed care comes from attention, caring, awareness, and sensitivity.
Find Space and Safety in Holistic Therapy
Above all, trauma survivors need time, space, support, and safety. They need the opportunity to let everything else go and focus on holistic therapy and how it will heal their mind and body. Through customized treatment plans, one-on-one care, and so much more, it is possible to identify healthy coping skills, enjoy a life free from the constant stress and reminder of trauma, and feel as free in the “real” world as you do in therapy.
Trauma-informed care is how the medical team and staff at Beachside Rehab in West Palm Beach, Florida, approach mental health care and substance abuse cases. Our clinically driven holistic therapy retreat offers individual care and structured programs for achieving mental health and wellness. Call today at 866-349-1770 to speak with a trained admissions counselor.