Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is an approach to providing services and support that recognises and responds to the effects of trauma. This approach is applicable across various settings, including healthcare, mental health, social services, education, and more. The key principles of trauma-informed care are based on understanding the widespread impact of trauma and integrating this understanding into policies, procedures, and practices.
Trauma-informed care is not a specific therapeutic intervention but an overarching framework that informs how services are delivered. It emphasises creating an environment that promotes healing and minimises re-traumatisation risk. This approach is particularly relevant in fields where individuals may have experienced various forms of trauma, such as survivors of abuse, individuals with mental health challenges, refugees, and others.
Trauma-informed care seeks to:
Realise the widespread impact of trauma and understand paths for recovery.
Recognise the signs and symptoms of trauma in patients, families, and staff.
Integrate knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices, and
Actively avoid re-traumatisation.
In pursuing healing and resilience, seeking professional help through Trauma-Informed Care can be a crucial step toward reclaiming well-being. In Australia, several reputable websites offer valuable resources and connections to certified practitioners. Websites such as Lifeline Australia and Blue Knot Foundation promote Trauma-Informed Care and can help connect you with skilled professionals.
Oprah Winfrey's book, "What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing," co-authored with renowned neuroscientist Dr. Bruce D. Perry, is a poignant exploration of the impact of trauma on individuals and their journeys toward healing.
In this insightful work, Oprah and Dr. Perry engage in compassionate and enlightening conversations, weaving personal stories with scientific understanding. The book delves into the profound question of "What happened to you?" instead of "What's wrong with you?" as a means of fostering empathy and understanding around the effects of trauma.
Through real-life narratives and therapeutic insights, Oprah and Dr. Perry offer readers a compelling guide to understanding the complexities of trauma and the path to resilience. "What Happened to You?" is a testament to the power of compassion and the transformative potential of acknowledging and addressing past wounds on the road to healing and self-discovery.
