What is Trauma? 

“Trauma is a deep wound of the heart and mind that takes a long time to heal. It hurts every part of our lives: how we relate to others, how our body feels, what we think about, and how much we can trust God. It can make us feel separated from God and others” – Trauma Healing Institute 

Further Reading and Learning:

• The Body Keeps The Score by  Bessel van der Kolk
• The Trauma Healing Institute

Trauma-Informed Staff Care

1. Increased Trauma Awareness
   1. Realize the widespread impact of trauma and understand paths for recovery
   2. Recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma
   3. Actively avoid re-traumatization
2. Provide Safety
   1. Provide avenues for psychological safety
   2. Mitigate power differentials
   3. Integrate knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices
3. Empower People to Make Choices
   1. Look
   2. Listen
   3. Link
4. Focus on Strengths
   1. Coach don’t counsel
   2. Be vulnerable, because it lowers our amour and that of those around us. 
   3. Normalize and Affirm 
5. Understand Roles and Make Referrals
   1. Who is my client and What is my role?
   2. Acknowledge and reframe (emotions are ok, behavior may not be)
   3. Coach towards help and make referrals

Further Reading and Learning: 

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Trauma Informed Guidline  https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/userfiles/files/SAMHSA_Trauma.pdf
• Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

New Book!

Essentials for People Care and Development: A Collection of Best Practices, Research, Reflections, and Strategies (Missio Nexus Improve Series): 
by  Geoff Whiteman  (Author), Heather Pubols  (Editor) Buy it now on Amazon