[By Julianne Batista, LMHC-D, Trauma Therapist with St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services.]
Trauma affects nearly 70% of adults in their lifetime, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, making trauma-informed care essential for recovery. However, studies show that oftentimes fewer than 50% of health care providers and mental health professionals are formally trained in trauma-informed practices. Trauma-informed providers are crucial in creating a safe, empathetic, and empowering environment that caters to everyone’s unique needs, guiding them toward healing.
The importance of a trauma-informed provider lies in their ability to recognize the various effects of trauma on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Trauma can manifest in various ways — anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, anger, physical pain, difficulties with memory and concentration, and more. A provider who is not trauma-informed might unknowingly exacerbate these symptoms.
For example, a person with a history of trauma may react more intensely to stress or have difficulty trusting others. Without the right understanding, a traditional care approach could unintentionally trigger those trauma responses. However, a trauma-informed provider is trained to recognize these signs and adapt their methods to ensure the client feels safe and supported throughout their recovery process.
Additionally, at least one in seven children in the U.S. will experience some form of maltreatment, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For these individuals, a trauma-informed approach is especially vital as untreated needs relating to this trauma can lead to long-lasting emotional and behavioral challenges.
A trauma-informed provider will prioritize physical and emotional safety, creating an environment where the client feels understood and respected. By offering choices in their care and collaborating with the client on their healing journey, the provider helps restore a sense of control, which is often lost in the aftermath of trauma.
Furthermore, trauma-informed care plays a critical role in reducing the overall stigma surrounding trauma. Many individuals who experience trauma feel isolated, ashamed, or blamed for what happened to them, which can prevent them from seeking help. A provider who recognizes the impact of trauma and offers compassionate, non-judgmental care can help to break down these barriers, creating a space for healing through validation, understanding, and acceptance.
Ultimately, a trauma-informed provider is vital because they offer an environment conducive to recovery — one based on respect, safety, and empowerment. This approach helps individuals not only heal from trauma but also regain control of their lives, fostering long-term recovery.
St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services offers free and confidential services to innocent survivors of crime. Available services include medical and legal advocacy, counseling and therapy, community education, and compensation assistance. For more information about Crime Victim Services, please call 518-271-3410 or visit us at sphp.com/crimevictimservices.
If you or someone you know has been the victim/survivor of a crime and needs to speak with someone outside of business hours, you can contact our 24-hour confidential hotline at 518-271-3257.
