Trauma Informed Approach
Trauma-informed therapy is a way of understanding and responding to people who have experienced trauma in a way that is respectful, supportive, and helpful.
Trauma-informed therapy is a way of understanding and responding to people who have experienced trauma in a way that is respectful, supportive, and helpful.
When I consider my own therapeutic approach, I believe that being trauma-informed is the tuapapa (foundation) to my counselling practice. Tikanga concepts such as ahurutanga (a safe and comforting space), whakawhanaungatanga (establishing relationships) and manaakitanga (hospitality) guide me to work safely within my client work.
A focus on what happened, as opposed to what's wrong with someone is where we now believe Trauma-informed care should start. Working in a trauma-informed way is both strength-based and client-centred. It shifts away from determining a defecit in a person's behaviour, to exploring the impact of traumatic experiences in order to understand what has happened to them.
Trauma-informed care is about shifting our view to what is "wrong" with an individual, to "what happened to you?". It is based on the understanding that trauma can have a profound impact on a person's life. It can affect their physical and mental health, their relationships, and their ability to function in everyday life. Trauma-informed therapy can help people to understand the impact of trauma on their lives and to develop coping skills to manage the symptoms of trauma.