traumainformert

Traumainformert is an organizational framework that seeks to recognize and respond to the effects of trauma on individuals and communities. It is not a specific therapy or diagnosis, but a holistic approach designed to minimize retraumatization and to promote safety, empowerment, and resilience within institutions such as schools, health care facilities, social services agencies, and criminal justice systems.

The concept emerged from trauma theory and the growing recognition that past traumatic experiences can influence behavior, engagement, and health outcomes. It builds on clinical trauma-informed care but applies it at an organizational level. The approach aligns with guidance from organizations like SAMHSA, which emphasizes universal precautions and a system-wide shift in policies and practices.

Core principles commonly cited include safety; trustworthiness and transparency; peer support; collaboration and mutuality; empowerment, voice and choice; and cultural, historical, and gender responsiveness. These principles guide policies, screening practices, staff training, and procedures to reduce triggering experiences and to support recovery and engagement.

Implementation typically involves leadership commitment, staff education, changes to physical environments to improve safety, trauma screening with informed consent, guided safeguarding policies, and the integration of trauma awareness into service planning and evaluation. It also requires ongoing monitoring and adaptation to avoid retraumatization and stigma.

Benefits reported in some settings include improved engagement, higher satisfaction, and reduced use of restraints and coercive practices, though evidence varies by context. Critics note potential risks such as overpathologizing, privacy concerns, and the need for sufficient resources to sustain training and system change.