What it means to be a trauma-informed therapist
You might see a lot of therapists calling themselves “trauma-informed.” According to the National Institute of Health, a trauma-informed therapist “recognize[s] the prevalence and pervasive impact of trauma on the lives of the people they serve and develop trauma-sensitive or trauma-responsive services.” In other words, a trauma-informed therapist should be providing services in a way that is sensitive to someone who may have experienced that trauma. A lot of therapists are calling themselves trauma-informed, but it might not be clear what that means. I absolutely consider myself a trauma-informed therapist, and here is how it impacts how I would work with you.
Choice & Consent - When someone has experienced trauma, they often were not able to be in control of a situation. They likely were not given the opportunity to consent or advocate for themselves. For that reason, I would ask you for consent and give you choices. For example, I would tell you that you can disclose as much or as little as you want. If our conversation is going in a direction that might be uncomfortable, for example, disclosing a traumatic event, you can always say “I’d rather not discuss that” or “I don’t want to talk about that right now.” I also ask for permission to take notes in session, if I feel the need to do so.
Orienting - Meeting a new therapist often makes people a little nervous. This is normal! You’re not only meeting a stranger, but you’re telling a stranger personal details. To help you get comfortable, I will orient you to what will happen in the appointment, as well as the physical space. In a first appointment, I’ll explain right off the bat that I will be sharing a few details about policies, then I’ll be asking a lot of questions. And of course, I ask if that sounds okay for the structure for the session.
I will also orient you to my office space if you are in-person. I’ll point out where there are fidgets, garbage cans, Kleenex, and a blanket.
Checking in - I like to check in part way through an initial appointment to see how you’re feeling about how the meeting is going. If we’re talking about something that might be difficult or emotional, I may also ask you how it’s feeling to discuss it.
Inviting feedback - At some point in our initial meetings, I will explain that I am very open to feedback. Part of being a good therapist is being open to feedback, and not being defensive when receiving constructive criticism. I encourage my clients to share how they’re feeling about our work together, and I strive to create a safe space to do so.
Providing fidgets, blankets, and essential oils - In my in-person office, I have a basket of fidgets so that people can have something to do with their hands if that feels soothing. I also have a blanket if you want to get cozy, and essential oils if you need a soothing or grounding scent. I want you to be comfy and cozy in the office!
I hope that all of these things help you to feel safe and comfortable, allowing you to go as far as possible in your healing journey.
