Trauma-Informed Care and Support

People often feel inadequate to help those with trauma. How can you help those who have endured the unspeakable? The most crucial part of becoming a trauma-
informed provider is acknowledging that you cannot know everything about trauma and that you don’t need to.

When people are looking for trauma-informed providers, they’re simply looking for a safe, trustworthy space. Outside of psychological care providers, those with complex trauma are not looking for experts in trauma.

Any step taken authentically and empathetically to help those who have experienced trauma will be impactful.

Think of it this way. You come upon a wreck where the driver appears to be injured, but you can’t clearly see the extent of their injuries. Would you give them step-by-step instructions on how they need to treat their wounds and then put them back behind the wheel and send them on their way? Hopefully not. You would most likely help them get to a safe spot and help treat their discomfort until experienced help arrives.

Trauma-informed people are not there to heal or even to diagnose. Trauma-informed people and providers are there to make the experience easier and bring comfort in order for survivors to one day reach healing.

Why is Trauma-Informed Care Important?

Trauma doesn’t end the need for medical or dental care, but it might make visiting an office extremely difficult for a trauma survivor. Business and everyday life continue regardless of someone’s traumatic experiences. Trauma survivors might need a lawyer but find the experience of walking into a strange lawyer’s office difficult, especially if CPS questioned them as a child.

People who were hurt by the church or by an adult who hid behind the protection of a misguided church, often struggle to attend church again in the future due to traumatic memories and experiences. Having trauma-informed people in place to assist with trauma survivors in a church setting can be the difference between them walking through the doors of a church again or walking away forever.

Trauma-informed training helps trauma survivors go through their everyday lives.

Everything from the grocery store to the post office is an area filled with triggering landmines to those who have dealt with trauma in the past, and they need to know that there are safe people out there willing to help them.

Identifying Trauma Survivors

Trauma survivors don’t walk around with a patch on their shirt or wear a large sign that designates them as having trauma. How do you know who has trauma in their background when it comes to clients walking in your door, people in your life, or parishioners sitting in the church pews? 

While you may never know that some people you interact with have trauma, there are some signs that you can look for that might help you spot those who need trauma-informed care:

Body Armoring or Guarding Their Space—This can also be known as body hypervigilance and looks like obvious tension in someone’s muscles and body. Are they clenching their fists (not in anger), bracing their shoulders, or wrapping their arms around themselves, or do they appear to be getting ready to dart away? It also might look like they stepping away from touch or putting belongings or items between you and them to act as a shield. 

Hypervigilance or Always On Guard – While body hypervigilance means the body is always on high alert, it can also mentally be hypervigilant or on guard. This might look like someone watching the door, looking behind them, scanning the room a lot, being on edge, or not being in a relaxed state when others are relaxed. 

Inability to Make Decisions – The most straightforward decisions can stump those who have encountered different forms of harmful control and abuse. If someone pauses or looks overwhelmed when asked simple questions such as, “What color would you like?” or “When would you like your next appointment?”, it could be a sign of trauma. This is especially true with financial decisions. While spending $10 to $20 more for a service might be a simple decision for a lot of people, those who have undergone significant financial abuse will most likely freeze or struggle with this decision. 

Self-Harm Scars – Unfortunately, the stigma associated with self-harm usually prompts people to hide scars. However, if you see someone with self-harm scars on their body, it is a good indicator that they have trauma and would benefit from trauma-informed care rather than judgment.

Appearing Tired or Overwhelmed – Nightmares and inability to sleep are significant symptoms of trauma that can often show outwardly during the day. 

Addiction and Substance Abuse Issues – Many times, when the extreme burden of trauma becomes too much, people turn to substance abuse. People who exhibit signs of addiction or substance abuse issues or disclose that they are sober now should be treated in a trauma-informed manner.

Mood Swings or Extreme Moods – If someone is happy one minute and instantly closes down and quiet in a short time span or appears emotionally numb, it can be a sign of trauma. 

Acting to Minimize Themselves – Looking at the floor, not making eye contact, curling up into themselves, or not wanting to be acknowledged by others are all acts that can be a sign of trauma. 

If you are in contact with someone who you suspect might have trauma in their background based on the previous symptoms and behaviors, it is always best to provide them with trauma-informed care and interactions. Never ask if someone has trauma or what happened to them. 

How to Act in Trauma-Informed Ways

The first step to trauma-informed care is recognizing that the trauma survivor’s story is theirs and private. They do not owe you an explanation for what happened or the story behind it. You are not offering gentle actions out of pity; you are actively working to help them function in your space because they are human and deserve care. 

The next step is active listening and observing. If someone is uncomfortable, chances are they have already told you that without saying, “I’m not comfortable” or “I don’t feel safe.” They might have shifted in their seat, moved away slightly, laughed forcefully, or become quiet. These are all signs that they are struggling internally in some way. 

If you are working with someone who has exhibited signs of trauma, slow down your routines and actively listen to gauge how they are handling your interaction together. 

The bedrock of trauma-informed interactions is helping survivors feel safe. Trauma occurs when something happens that makes someone fearful of that event or time period. Fear is key to trauma. Therefore, to unlock the trauma, the survivor needs to feel safe. 

In a personal interaction, this might mean letting them choose where they want to sit so they feel safe scanning the room or not having their back to the door. In a work or office environment, it might mean never having them alone in a room with someone of the opposite sex or moving at a slower pace. In the church setting, it might mean helping them find a quieter area when overwhelmed or offering them discipleship outside of the crowded worship service. 

Do not touch them without expressing slow and clear intent and obtaining permission. We often pat people on the back or offer our hand for a handshake without realizing it. 

Many people who have experienced trauma do not consider touch to be safe, and that includes all touch. Therefore, to offer them care, all forms of touch should be removed when possible. 

If you work in an environment where touch is vital, such as a doctor’s office, let the survivor control the terms of any and all touch as much as possible. Walk them verbally through what will happen and ask if that’s ok. If not, ask them if they have a way that would work better for them. 

Help Survivors Be Seen and Heard. Everyone wants to be seen and heard. But for survivors who actively try to minimize their presence out of fear and self-worth issues, we must slow down and recognize their right to complete care. It might be harder for them to voice their concerns or desires. They might have questions that they’re scared to ask. Please slow down and take extra time to sit with them. Building trust through lighthearted conversation will help them feel safe to speak and ask questions. Make eye contact, actively listen, go slowly, and acknowledge who they are and that they are worthy of your time.

Survivors who need trauma-informed care are not weak or a burden and should never be treated as such. They have gone through the unthinkable and still show up daily. Survivors are courageous people who do extraordinary things. 

The least we can do for survivors is make the world more accessible for them to navigate. Utilizing these trauma-informed tips and continuing to learn about trauma will help support survivors.

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