Trauma Informed Services - Understanding The Layers of Trauma

In a trauma informed agency, it’s important that all staff are frequently updated with the principles of trauma informed care (Trauma-Informed Care: A Sociocultural Perspective, 2014). Such principles would involve a collection of resources, evidence based research, academic findings, reports, and quality approaches used by collaborating agencies (Trauma-Informed Care: A Sociocultural Perspective, 2014). Resources are very valuable to staff when they are needing a new strategy, in the case of their clients not responding effectively to former methods (Trauma-Informed Care: A Sociocultural Perspective,

Trauma informed care also includes allowing the client’s voice to be heard. If the agency provides a way for care to be collaborative in a supportive environment, the survivors would feel more empowered to regain control in their lives (Alameda County Behavioral Health Care, 2013). By implementing a suggestion box and allowing space for the client to speak about the care they would like to receive, the Program is empowering the clients to choose how they want to engage with the Program and to advocate for changes.

Trauma-informed care mainly aims at realizing the impact that trauma brings and identify the potential paths for recovering. It also goes ahead to recognize the symptoms and signs of trauma in the staff, clients, families, and other people who are involved in the system (Withers, 2017). After this, the

Sullivan, Murray, and Ake (2016) identified that in the child welfare system, the provision of trauma-informed care is particularly critical due to the fact that when compared to other child-servicing systems, it has been determined that within this system, the likelihood of exposure to traumatic events is higher. Their study is focused on the description and evaluation of the first nationally available trauma-informed training resource developed for

Trauma is an individual’s visceral reaction to a horrible event, events such as early childhood traumas, accidents, sexual abuse, or community violence (apa.org, 2016). An individual may react with shock and denial in the aftermath. As time continues some reactions may comprise of mood swings, intrusive memories, difficulties maintaining relationships and can manifest into physical symptoms to include headache or upset stomach. There are individuals who experience difficulties functioning in their daily lives; these observable responses are a normal response to the trauma (apa.org, 2016).

A trauma informed model of practice should centre upon a perspective that asks the client user ‘what happened to you’ rather than ‘what is wrong with you’ (Bloom and Farragher). This approach promotes the base line for which the service should be impliemented; an approach which enable to cliet to connect how their trauma has influence their behaviour, feelings, coping mechanisim and general perspective (Felitti et al. 1998). Staff within the home should have a good degree of trauma informed care as this enable for a deeper understanding of how the trauma can impact upon the individual and allow for holistic care (Harris and Fallot, 2001) and enables better support and help reduce to protential for re-tramatisation via triggers and uncousious re-enactment of trauma (SAMHSA, 2010). Implementing the above approach the client can receive the holistic carer they require in order to begin to overcome the trauma they have experienced.

It will be important to conduct the trauma based assessment as early as possible. However, it is vital that a therapeutic rapport be established with the client before proceeding in asking questions regarding the trauma. It takes time for a traumatized individual to trust and be willing to disclose their experiences. When it is felt that the client is ready it is important to let the client know that they have the right to not answer questions. It is important to discuss why we are asking the questions and ensuring the client that we have their best interests in mind and can provide them with a safe and secure location to work through the trauma.

From this assignment, I learned that the immediate crisis based interventions for trauma are vastly different than a treatment plan which may incorporate long-term goals and strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and/or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I have to shift my thinking towards strategies as immediate as eye-contact and tone of voice, as well as make adjustments in how I searched for resources and

Percentages of favorable recovery outcomes in the “other incidents” group ranged from 26% for gunshot wounds to 100% for shaken baby syndrome (Madjan et al. 804). This wide range of scores indicates that the “other incidents” category was likely too generalized to produce significant results.

"Clinical & Forensic Services." Institute on Violence, Abuse & Trauma. N.p., n.d. Web 10 Feb. 2017.

In this paper, I will discuss how this case study highlights core concept 10: “Culture is closely interwoven with traumatic experiences, response, and recovery.” (NCTSN Core Curriculum on

The Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI), originally published by the Psychological Assessment Resources, in 1995 and created by John Briere Ph. D., is utilized to evaluate acute and chronic posttraumatic symptomology. The materials associated with administering this test include the use of a computer with Windows XP, 7, 8, or 10, must maintain a NTFS file system, CD-ROM drive for installation, internet connection or a telephone in order to activate. One can download all of the other necessary materials from PariConnect, which include the introductory kit, necessary software, professional manuals, scoring sheets, among other reusable booklets. Prices range from $52.00 upwards to $375.00.

The ADHS trauma stakeholder workgroup held its December meeting last week and I attended along with Dr. O’Neil. My notes are below.

Enhanced injury and violence prevention programs are the primary benefit of having a designated Trauma Coordinator. Using the Trauma Registry, the Trauma Coordinator is able to extract information and tailor the injury prevention programs to the community. Injuries are the foremost cause of death in Americans ages 1-44 and a primary cause of disability for people of all ages. 180,000 people will die from injuries every year, and 1 in 10 Americans will suffer a non-fatal injury that results in an Emergency Room Visit ("Healthy People 2020," 2014). There are widespread physical, mental, economic and societal burdens related to the consequences of injuries and violence. Injuries do not just affect the injured party, but also affect the families and

When I decided to take the trauma course, I was hesitant at first to take it. I did not know what to expect nor felt I would be prepare listen to stories about traumatic occurrences, despite of the number of years I have worked in the field of community mental health. Therefore, now that we are in week eight, I am delighted to have taken this course. The impression I had at first, has changed my insight concerning what is trauma, as for many years, I did not understand why a person in many instances, could not process their trauma. In a quote by Chang stated, “The greater the doubt, the greater the awakening; the smaller the doubt, the smaller the awakening. No doubt, no awakening” (Van Der Kolk, 2014, p. 22). The goes in congruence with my understanding on trauma and how it has changed during this course. As a result, I feel I am awakening when acquiring more about trauma.