Understanding the basis of the Trauma Informed Care requires one first to appreciate the meaning of trauma. Trauma is an overwhelming and intense experience that comes as a result of a threat, harm, or a severe loss that affects an individual's physical, emotional, or psychological well-being. Researchers have noted that such experiences can occur at any time in the life of a person and can also show repetition over many years. Therefore, it remains crucial to define and understand the role that the "threat of harm" plays in the development of traumatic conditions. However, remedies to trauma can be addressed by a Traumatic Informed Care (TIC). According to Bremness & Polzin, (2014), TIC "recognizes the widespread impact of trauma, integrates knowledge of trauma into treatment, and promotes the healing of families, children, and communities."
Thesis: TIC provides a rationale for the provision of trauma-sensitive care and practices that aim at detecting the threat of harm, screen the trauma, and also create a comfortable and safe environment for the victims.
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Support Points
According to research, one in every six men has experienced trauma in their lifetimes. According to a study conducted by the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), traumatic experiences that manifest through threats and harms at childhood can continue to affect the individual as they enter into adulthood. Bremness & Polzin, (2014) noted that the study further indicated that these individuals are likely to suffer from intense emotional distress, physical illnesses, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse among other forms of difficulties. Also, it remains essential to note that providing effective professional services begin by first understanding the threats of harms that might have led to person’s current problems. Examples of threats to harm can include physical and sexual abuse, childhood abandonment, the death of a parent or guardian, serious illnesses, and rough experiences such as war. All these will potentially cause trauma in the life of an individual. In summary, the threat of harm includes "all activities, conditions, and circumstances that place the child at a threat of severe harm of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, mental injury, or other child abuse or neglect" (Threat of Harm Dispositional Guidelines n.d.).
After detecting the threat of harm, the next step that follows is to screen the trauma. First, it remains critically important to note that the symptoms of trauma can take multiple forms. Also, individuals who have just experienced the traumatic events are in most circumstances unwilling to share their experiences. The TIC requires the clinicians first to choose appropriate tools that to assess the post-traumatic symptoms. Huckshorn & LeBel, (2013) noted that reliable questionnaires and surveys designed to ask questions regarding such experience must be sensitive and reliable. The tool should not only provide the presence of the trauma but also the intensity and frequency at which it occurs. Most fundamentally, the clinicians have an essential role in preventing re-traumatization and also ensure that victims feel welcomed and comfortable during the entire screening process.
The third part of the TIC is to ensure that treatment encompasses the creation of an enabling environment that guarantees comfort and safety. It remains fundamental to note that the TIC involves treating the person as a whole, taking into consideration the threats of harm, past traumatic conditions, and the resulting coping mechanisms that the individual has developed. It remains sure to understand, recognize, and respond to the impact that trauma has had on an individual. Most fundamentally, it ensures that the victims of trauma receive physical, psychological, and emotional safety thus helping them to rebuild their lives by enhancing empowerment and control. It might also involve evidence-based practices such as trauma-focused therapies, motivational interviewing and psycho-educational groups among others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to appreciate the fact that everybody is prone to the threats of harm that eventually lead to trauma. Trauma Informed Care provides a rationale for sensitive practices that enable one to recover from the debilitating effects and continue with their normal lives. Other than taking cognizance of the physical, emotional, and psychological needs, it also creates a safe environment free from threat.
References
Bremness, A., & Polzin, W. (2014). Trauma informed care. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 23(2), 86.
Huckshorn, K. E. V. I. N., & LeBel, J. L. (2013). Trauma-informed care. Modern community mental health: An interdisciplinary approach, 62-83.
Threat of Harm Dispositional Guidelines http://www.dhs.state.or.us/policy/childwelfare/manual_1/i-ab10att1.pdf
