Introduction to Trauma-Informed Practice

Over the past 20 years, the clinical understanding of trauma has changed dramatically. We have come to understand that this phenomenon can be both a single intense incident and a pattern of suffering caused by factors outside our control. We now know that our experiences of pain and suffering shape how we see ourselves, how we make relationships with others, and how we interact with the world. Trauma informed work requires us to consider our own experiences both as a victim and as a perpetrator. Through this training we will explore the impact of trauma using an intersectional lens. We will define various trauma related concepts and explore developmental impacts, neurological impacts, and vicarious trauma/compassion fatigue. When possible, case material will be used to apply workshop concepts.

Goals of the Workshop

• Understand and discuss the basic tenets of trauma informed practice.
• Distinguish conceptual definitions of trauma from diagnostic definitions.
• Discuss types of trauma and ways clients are exposed to trauma, with an emphasis on the unique features of complex trauma.
• Identify developmental and neurodevelopmental effects of trauma and their influence on human/client behavior.
• Identify “trauma lenses” through which current life and relationships may be understood.
• Apply material presented to current cases and/or clinical examples.