Trauma-informed - meaning and definition
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Definition
Trauma-informed describes an approach in health care, education or support that recognises the widespread impact of trauma and aims to avoid re-traumatising people.
At a glance
- An approach that recognises how common trauma is and aims to avoid re-traumatising people.
- Emphasises safety, choice, trust, collaboration and empowerment.
- In a clinic it might mean explaining each step and asking before touching.
- Used in sexual health services, policing and relationship education.
- It can also shape how partners support each other.
In detail
Trauma-informed practice emphasises safety, choice, trust, collaboration and empowerment. In a clinic, it might mean explaining each step of an examination, asking permission before touching and letting the patient stop at any time.
The approach is increasingly used in sexual health services, police responses to sexual violence and relationship education. It can also shape how partners support each other when one of them has experienced trauma.
In a sentence
- The clinic is trauma-informed, so the nurse explained everything and said I could stop at any time.
- We want a trauma-informed counsellor who understands what she has been through.
Where the word comes from
Trauma-informed care developed in mental health and social services, especially in the United States, from the late 1990s and 2000s, and has since spread to many other fields.
Common questions
What does trauma-informed care look like at a sexual health clinic?
Staff explain what will happen and why, ask permission before any examination or touch, offer choices such as who is in the room, and make clear you can pause or stop at any point.
How can I find a trauma-informed service?
Rape crisis centres and many sexual health clinics work in a trauma-informed way. You can ask a service how they support people who have experienced trauma, and request what would help you feel safe.