What is trauma informed care?
Trauma-informed care emphasizes the importance of understanding and responding to the impact of trauma when providing services to individuals who have experienced traumatic events. It involves understanding how trauma affects individuals' behaviour and development and using that knowledge to create safe and supportive environments that promote healing and recovery. Essentially, it’s an approach to health and care interventions which is grounded in the understanding that trauma exposure can impact an individual’s neurological, biological, psychological, and social development.
A trauma-informed approach will recognise the prevalence and impact of trauma and prioritise the physical and emotional safety of the individual, while also promoting trust, collaboration, and empowerment. This approach is characterised by several key elements:
Safety: Creating a physically and emotionally safe environment for the young person
Trustworthiness and transparency: Building trust through open communication and being transparent about the service provided
Peer support: Providing opportunities for young people to connect with others who have similar experiences
Collaboration and mutuality: Working in partnership with the young person and their family to set goals and make decisions
Empowerment and choice: Providing opportunities for young people to be in control of their own recovery process
Cultural, historical, and gender issues: Understanding how cultural and historical factors may influence the young person's experiences and responses to trauma.
What is evidence-based practice?
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a method of making decisions about treatment and care that is based on the most current and accurate information available. This means using research studies and expert opinions to guide what we do, rather than just going off our own experiences or beliefs. By doing this, we can make sure the care we provide is using methods which are backed by academic literature and are widely used and accepted in the field.
Why is it important?
When working with young people who have suffered from developmental trauma, it is crucial to use a trauma-informed and evidence-based approach. In the UK, both the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) stress the importance of using a trauma-informed approach when working with children and young people in residential care.
This approach is supported by research, such as a systematic review of trauma-focused interventions for children and adolescents, which found that these types of interventions lead to significant reductions in symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety (Cohen, Mannarino, & Deblinger, 2006). In addition, a meta-analysis of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) for children and adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse found that TF-CBT was associated with significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety (Cohen, Deblinger, Mannarino, & Steer, 2004).
Further evidence to support working in this way came from a systematic review of the effectiveness of trauma-informed care, which found that trauma-informed care was associated with improved outcomes in mental health, substance use, and overall functioning in individuals who have experienced trauma (Cook, Spinazzola, Ford, Lanktree, Blaustein, Cloitre, & Van der Kolk, 2017).
This review, and the studies noted above, highlight the importance of using a trauma informed approach when working with people who are suffering from a variety of mental health difficulties.
How can bMindful Psychology help?
At bMindful Psychology, we understand the importance of providing trauma-informed and evidence-based care to young people who have suffered from developmental trauma and to individuals suffering from a range of mental health difficulties.
In addition to our clinicians who are trained in using evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and other models of therapy, we provide training courses and ongoing consultation and support to businesses and organisations to help their care teams work in a trauma informed way.
Our training courses are designed to provide professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to understand and respond effectively to the needs of young people who have experienced trauma. Our training is based on the latest research and best practices and is tailored to the specific needs of each organisation.
Some of the training courses that we offer include:
An introduction to Therapeutic Parenting and PACE
Self Regulation for Carers
Attachment Theory & Developmental Trauma
Uncovering Youth Violence & Exploitation
Child Sexual Exploitation
Introduction to Autism
If you would like to know more about how we can help support you, or your business, please visit our website www.bMindfulpsychology.co.uk or call our office on 0161 510 0111.
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