Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a philosophy of treatment grounded in a deep understanding of how trauma and someone’s experiences can shape their life, view of the world, and impact their mental health or struggles with addiction. It is guided by core principles, including safety, collaboration, and trust.
Trauma-informed approaches have become increasingly recognized in public health policy and adopted in practice. Their goal is to reduce the negative impact of trauma and increase successful treatment outcomes in mental health and addiction recovery.
According to SAMHSA, around 75% of individuals in recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) have experienced trauma [1]. At Trinity Wellness Group, we understand the influence unresolved trauma can have on the recovery journey. Our clinically-trained team fosters an environment rooted in safety to help end the cycle of trauma and addiction.
Understanding Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is a change in organizational processes that requires individuals, practices, and protocols to operate with an awareness of trauma. Being trauma-informed means changing interactions, policies, and environments in behavioral healthcare to avoid re-traumatization. For providers and treatment programs, it focuses on an individual’s entire story and human experience, not just their current symptoms or behavior. It is a universal shift from “What is wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”.
According to the Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care, being trauma-informed requires an active, ongoing commitment from all members and leadership levels of an organization to maintain a basic understanding of trauma [2].
It teaches mental healthcare professionals how adversity can change one’s view of self and provide more effective and empathetic care. It also calls on leaders and lawmakers to invest more in trauma training for staff, develop trauma-informed policies, and make physical changes to facilities to ensure physical and emotional safety.
The 6 Principles of Trauma-Informed Care Explained
The six principles of TIC are used to guide organizational processes, treatment planning, and patient care [3].
- Safety
Physical, psychological, and emotional safety is prioritized throughout every phase of care. Patients know they are safe or are asked what they need to feel safe. Attempts are made to prevent re-traumatization, including learning one’s triggers and tailoring their healing environment.
- Trust & Transparency
Trust is built between leaders, staff, patients, and the local community through transparency and open communication around policies and procedures. Organizations explain what they are doing and set clear expectations.
- Voice & Choice
Individuals who experience trauma often feel like they have a lack of control over their lives. In a TIC program, patients are encouraged to participate in shared decision-making, goal setting, and have a choice in treatment planning to rebuild a sense of autonomy.
- Collaboration
Treatment meetings often include clinical staff, the patient, peer support partners or advocates, and even loved ones of the individual, to collaborate on what needs to be done to address recovery needs.
- Empowerment
Both staff and patients are encouraged to share power at individual and organizational levels. This is done through validating feelings or concerns, listening to what staff/patients want and need, and empowering them to take back control in the decision-making processes of their lives.
- Cultural Awareness
This emphasizes recognizing and respecting the diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs of all individuals receiving care. Staff are trained to be sensitive to those who have faced gender, racial, religious, or ethnic biases and also to recognize the impact of historical, systemic, and collective trauma.
Trauma-Informed Care Training: What Sets It Apart from Regular Qualifications
Trauma-informed care training allows professionals to better understand their clients and the populations they serve. It is not the same as being a licensed trauma therapist or providing trauma therapy. Social workers, peer support partners, and organization leadership can and should also be trained in trauma.
There is no current “universal certification” for trauma-informed care but it can be acquired through various programs and universities [4]. Certifications typically involve a series of courses focused on trauma theory, trauma’s impact on the brain and behavior, organizational strategies, and cultural responsiveness.
Some of the things you may learn in a trauma care training course include how trauma affects individuals, groups, and communities, recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma, and how to prevent re-traumatization.
Overall, for an organization, treatment center, or program to become trauma-informed, training, awareness, and investment should occur at all organizational levels, from leadership to the clinician-patient relationship [2]. As a whole, they should:
- Demonstrate Leadership Investment
- Prioritize Support for Workforce Wellness
- Provide Ongoing Education and Training
- Engage The Workforce in The Change Process
- Create a Safe Environment
- Form an Oversight Committee
- Review Policies, Procedures & Procedures
- Include Client/Patient/Student Voice
- Evaluate and Monitor Progress
Why Trauma-Informed Care is Important in Behavioral Health
The National Center for PTSD reports that nearly 13 million Americans have struggled with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and millions more have experienced trauma. TIC approaches have been shown to increase patient engagement and improve treatment outcomes in patients with trauma, other mental health conditions, and co-occurring substance abuse disorders [5].
Trauma-informed care can help increase people’s trust in behavioral health by creating more transparent processes and educating communities on the impact trauma can have on their lives or on loved ones.
End The Cycle of Suffering: Trauma-Informed Care at Trinity Wellness Group
Our trauma-informed care approach at Trinity Wellness Group is grounded in principles such as safety, trust, and collaboration, ensuring that every client is treated with compassion, dignity, and respect, and acknowledging the unique experiences that shaped their lives.
Our integrative day treatment programs equip you with skills for resilience and a supportive community that fosters meaningful healing. We believe in integrity and authenticity, providing you with clinically excellent care and the power of lived experience. Contact us today to find support and begin treatment.
Sources
[1] Brady, K. et al. (2011). Childhood trauma among individuals with co-morbid substance use and post-traumatic stress disorder. Mental health and substance use: dual diagnosis, 4(4), 314–326.
[2] Koury, S. et al. (2022). Trauma-informed organizational change manual. The Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care.
[3] CDC. 2022. 6 Guiding Principles to a Trauma-Informed Approach Infographic.
[4] Florida State University. College of Social Work. Trauma-Informed Care: Training, Examples, and Principles.
[5] National Center for PTSD. 2025. How Common Is PTSD in Adults?
