Trauma-Informed Interventions

Introduction

• Presenter: Dr. Donnelly Snipes
• Topic: Trauma-Informed Interventions
• Originally Based On: 101 Trauma-Informed Interventions (book)
• Goal: To integrate principles of trauma-informed care into activities

Components of Trauma-Informed Care

1. Safety
   • Essential for emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being
   • Avoid situations that could trigger trauma
   • Examples: Locked doors can be triggering for some
2. Trustworthiness and Transparency
   • Build trust by being transparent about interventions
   • Explain reasons for activities to clients
3. Peer Support and Mutual Self-Help
   • Encourage connection with others who have experienced similar traumas
   • Support groups and mutual self-help are crucial
4. Collaboration and Mutuality
   • Work collaboratively with clients on treatment plans
   • Avoid cookie-cutter treatment plans
5. Empowerment, Voice, and Choice
   • Clients should feel empowered to make choices in their treatment
   • Encourage clients to share what works and what doesn't
6. Resilience
   • Believe in the resilience of individuals, organizations, and communities
   • Build on strengths rather than focusing on deficits
7. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Considerations
   • Recognize the value of cultural connections
   • Address historical trauma
   • Consider all types of cultural and occupational backgrounds

The Three E's of Trauma

1. Event
   • Objective occurrence (e.g., victimization, natural disaster)
2. Experience
   • Individual perception of the event
   • Influenced by age, prior history, available resources
3. Effects
   • Emotional, mental, physical, social, spiritual, and environmental impacts
   • Potential treatment plan goals include dealing with cognitive distortions, hypervigilance, social withdrawal, etc.

Trauma Interventions

• Create Safety and Trust
  • Through cultural resources, peer support, transparency, collaboration, and empowerment
  • Aim to help clients explore their trauma and live meaningful lives
• Crisis Plan and Post-Crisis Plan
  • Identifying signs of crisis and recovery actions
• Mindfulness Activities
  • Awareness of self and environment
  • Grounding techniques like the 4-3-2-1 method
• Unhooking Techniques
  • From emotional responses
• Pandora's Box Technique
  • Gradually open up emotions and manage intensity
• Boundaries
  • Emotional, physical, and cognitive boundaries
• Transparency and Communication
  • Improve communication skills, use “I” statements

Empowerment and Collaboration

• Values Identification
  • Recognize and move toward important life values
• Narrative Therapy
  • Written or charted life stories
• Cultural Supports
  • Peer groups, faith healers, family therapy
• Systematic Desensitization and Narrative Therapy
  • Gradual exposure to trauma triggers
• Identify and Enhance Strengths
  • Identify coping mechanisms

Summary

• Goal: To help clients explore trauma safely and empower them to live meaningful lives
• Interventions: Should be trauma-informed, transparent, and empowering
• Final Note: Ensure all interventions are explained to avoid re-traumatization