Trauma-Informed Care – A Mission Moment
Trauma-Informed Care – A Mission Moment
Understanding Trauma-Informed Care
At its core, Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is about treating people with kindness and understanding, recognizing that many individuals have experienced trauma that deeply shapes their lives. Whether they’re clients, colleagues, or community members, most people have faced some form of hardship or abuse that affects how they interact with the world.
At YWCA Spokane this understanding is a critical aspect of our approach. We don’t just serve people; we collaborate with them on their healing journey, recognizing the impact trauma has on their behavior, decisions, and experiences.
The principle of Trauma-Informed Care encourages us to approach each person with empathy and an open mind, understanding that they are most likely navigating trauma that we don't know about. It’s not about assuming the worst or labeling someone based on their behavior, but rather, creating a space where people feel safe, valued, and empowered. The goal is to create an environment where individuals can safely grow, heal, and regain control over their lives.
The 6 Core Trauma-informed Principles in Action
There are six core principles that guide the way we work with survivors at YWCA Spokane. These principles from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) ensure that every decision we make is rooted in an understanding of trauma.
- Safety is the foundation of Trauma-Informed Care. Survivors need to feel both physically and emotionally safe to open up and begin their healing process. At YWCA Spokane, this means providing clear directions, accessible spaces, and ensuring that everything from our signage to our communication is welcoming and understandable. We know that for many, even being in a new environment can trigger anxiety, so we let them know what they can expect and provide new clients with a map of available services and where they are located.
- Trustworthiness and Transparency go hand in hand. When individuals are coming from places of crisis, the last thing they need is to feel unsure about what’s happening or why. For instance, we may explain how long a phone call will take or what we need to discuss before diving into the conversation, so the client knows what to expect. This openness helps foster trust and allows survivors to feel more in control of their experience.
- Peer Support is another key principle. The healing power of shared experience is profound. While each person's experience with domestic violence is unique to them, domestic violence itself is unfortunately quite common. Survivors who have walked a similar path can often provide invaluable support, creating a community of trust and understanding. YWCA Spokane staff are allies in this work to survivors. This creates an environment where people not only receive support from professionals but also from one another, offering hope and mutual healing.
- Collaboration and Mutuality highlight the importance of leveling power dynamics between staff and clients. In traditional service models, the professional is seen as the "expert," but at YWCA Spokane, we believe that survivors are the experts on their own lives. This means working alongside clients, respecting their choices, and providing them with the autonomy to make decisions about their healing journey.
- Empowerment, Voice, and Choice are at the heart of what we do. Whether it’s through a therapy session, an appointment with a housing advocate, or at the front desk, we strive to empower survivors by acknowledging their voice and honoring their choices.
- Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues are another layer to our approach. We recognize that trauma doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. Gender, race, and cultural history all play a role in shaping how individuals experience and respond to trauma. That’s why we approach individuals from an intersectional lens. We work to better understand the ways cultural considerations and historic trauma may impact how individuals interact with our staff, services, or organization.
How Trauma-Informed Care Looks in Practice at YWCA Spokane
At YWCA Spokane, Trauma-Informed Care isn’t just a theory, but something we live every day in how we interact with the people we serve. For example, when someone first checks in to our services, we provide them with a map of our building. It may seem like a small thing, but for individuals navigating trauma, knowing where they’re going can reduce anxiety. We have been working to improve our internal signage to make wayfinding accessible in multiple languages and includes icons, making it easier for people with different learning styles or language preferences to feel comfortable.
For clients who are just starting services, we take the time to explain what paperwork will be required, how it will be used, and why it’s necessary. This transparency ensures that people are informed and know how we are using their information, which is important for understanding rights and confidentiality.
The framework of Trauma-Informed Care allows us to be more innovative and carry a perspective that most likely, everyone has experienced trauma and is operating on a limited capacity. For example, we recently transitioned from using a lengthy, complicated online preschool form to a simpler inquiry that can be completed on smaller devices and takes much less time. This small change reduces the cognitive load on survivors, recognizing that trauma can impact one’s ability to handle complex tasks.
In our therapy department, when we make waitlist calls, we start the conversation asking if it’s a good time to talk, explain how long the call will take, and clarify what will be discussed. This respects the individual’s time and autonomy, ensuring that they are prepared for what’s coming and can make the best decision for themselves.
Applying Trauma-Informed Care Beyond the Agency
“Trauma-Informed Care is not a therapeutic intervention or something you can only do if you have a social work degree," says Melva Moore, YWCA Spokane Director of Mental Health Therapy. "It is small things we can all do every day that prioritize safety, healing, and empowerment.” Whether in a workplace, school, or community setting, adopting a trauma-informed approach allows us to interact with others in a more compassionate, understanding way. Simple steps like pausing before reacting, asking open-ended questions, or being mindful of someone’s needs can help create a more supportive environment for everyone.
While the principles of Trauma-Informed Care are clear, implementing them in practice can be challenging. One common misconception is that trauma-informed means having no boundaries. In reality, clear boundaries are essential for creating safety. Setting clear expectations helps individuals understand the structure they are operating within, which, in turn, creates a sense of security and predictability.
Setting boundaries can also be personally challenging, especially when other individuals are desperate to get their basic needs met. When resources like housing or legal services are limited, it can be difficult to navigate moments when a client pushes boundaries out of frustration or urgency. Yet, even in those moments, it’s important to stay firm, respectful, and compassionate. Trauma often results in a deep desire for control, and providing clear, structured boundaries is one way to help people feel safe.
In personal relationships, practicing Trauma-Informed Care means being mindful of how others might be affected by past experiences. It means being kind, listening without judgment, and respecting their choices, even when they might not align with your own desires or expectations.
It's About Kindness
Trauma isn’t just something that happened long ago. It impacts how people experience the world today. How they access services. How they try to get their needs met.
“At its core, Trauma-Informed Care is about being kind to people," states Melva. "How can you prioritize safety, empowerment, and healing in every interaction?”
There’s no one “right way” to be trauma-informed. It’s about recognizing that we don’t always know what others have been through, but we can choose to treat them with respect, dignity, and compassion. By shifting our mindset from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” we can offer support that acknowledges the complexity of each person’s story and helps them reclaim control over their life.
The impact of trauma is profound and far-reaching, but with a trauma-informed lens, we can create spaces that foster healing, empowerment, and recovery. Whether it’s in a professional setting, in the community, or in our personal lives, integrating Trauma-Informed Care into our interactions can make a world of difference.
By: Jemma Riedel-Johnson
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