Trauma-Informed Care 

Broadly, trauma can be understood as an event or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful. These overwhelming experiences can lead to physical and psychological stress reactions that impact an individual’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.  

In Canada, almost two-thirds (64%) of Canadians report being exposed to at least one traumatic event during their life (Statistics Canada, 2022). Given that the large majority of the population experiences trauma, it is important that mental health services provide trauma-informed care.  

What is trauma-informed care?

• Trauma-informed practices are about the overall approach to care rather than a specific treatment method.  
• Trauma-informed services place priority on a clients’ safety, choice, and control.  
• Trauma-informed services prioritize empowering clients to make decisions about their mental health care needs at a pace that feels safe to them. 

Key Principles of Trauma-Informed Approaches:  

• Trauma Awareness 

These approaches begin with building awareness among staff and clients of the commonness of trauma experiences and the variety of ways people cope and survive with trauma.  

• Emphasis on safety and trustworthiness  

Because trauma survivors are likely to have experienced abuse of power in relationships, physical, emotional, and cultural safety are central to trauma-informed care. Establishing safety and trustworthiness may look like providing a comfortable clinical space, providing clear information, and ensuring informed consent.  

• Opportunity for choice, collaboration, and connection 

Having the opportunity to create safe connections with care providers and the community can be reparative for those who have experienced trauma. In trauma-informed approaches, practitioners prioritize open communication, nonjudgment, and collaboration, providing choices, and equalizing power imbalances.  

• Strengths-Based and Skill-Building  

Trauma-informed services seek to highlight clients’ strengths and aid clients in further developing resiliency and coping skills.  

Here are Some Additional Resources for More Information: 

Check out these resources:

If you are looking to connect further or receive support around negative thought patterns or other supports, please get in touch with us at 250-718-9291 or email us at [email protected].

If you are interested in specialized services, our team is here to help those experiencing Trauma find healing. You can also refer to our EMDR page for more specialized information on Trauma Therapy – https://okclinical.com/emdr-trauma-therapy/

• Taking Care of Ourselves, Our Families and Our Communities: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/responding-stressful-events/taking-care-ourselves-families-communities.html 
• Helping Children Cope with Stressful Events: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/responding-stressful-events/helping-children-cope.html 
• Helping Teens Cope with Stressful Events: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/responding-stressful-events/helping-teens-cope.html
• Government of Canada, S. C. (2022, May 20). Survey on mental health and stressful events, August to December 2021. The Daily - . https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220520/dq220520b-eng.htm  
• Trauma-informed practice guide. (2013). https://cewh.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2013_TIP-Guide.pdf  

Written by: Emma Fletcher, Practicum Student

[email protected]

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