A Client's Experience of Trauma-Informed Care

Course overview

With the shift toward routine incorporation of trauma-informed care in healthcare settings, many professionals are aware of the key components of this approach. However, in the midst of busy day-to-day clinical work, it can be easy to lose sight of the true impact of trauma-informed care on the individual receiving services. For an organization to be trauma-informed they need to realize the widespread impact of trauma, recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma, and respond by integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices in an effort to resist re-traumatizing clients (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2014). The person's relationship with the environment is as important as their social relationships. Clients' bodies have immediate responses to the spaces that they are in and the people with whom they interact. For those who have experienced trauma, their body signals a physiological stress response when in environments that feel unsafe. The environment can heighten the body's stress response or calm it (Grabowska et al.. 2021). This course will provide you with an immersive experience of trauma-informed care from a client's perspective. You will be able to directly experience the impact of both an adherence to trauma-informed principles, as well as the effects of compromised trauma-informed care delivery. The goal of this course is to provide Addictions, Behavioral Health Counseling, Case Management/Care Management, General Staff, Marriage and Family Therapy, Non-Licensed Direct Care, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physicians, Psychology, Social Work, and Speech Language Pathology/Audiology Professionals in healthcare settings with information on how to promote a trauma-informed care environment. This course is designed to increase your awareness of the client's perspective on trauma-informed practices. To learn about specific strategies that you and your organization can implement to deliver trauma-informed care, see the courses on this topic in the Relias library.