What Is Trauma-Informed Therapy and Why Does It Matter?
When people hear the word “trauma,” they often imagine major, life-altering events such as car accidents, natural disasters, or acts of violence. While these are certainly traumatic, trauma can also arise from less obvious experiences. Emotional neglect, chronic stress, medical challenges, or growing up in an environment where your needs were not consistently met can also be traumatic. Many people distinguish between “Big T” trauma (significant events) and “little t” trauma (less obvious, but still impactful experiences).
Because trauma is far more common than many people realize, the field of therapy is evolving. Many therapists, myself included, now practice what is known as ‘trauma-informed care.’ As this approach gains widespread attention, people often ask, “What is trauma-informed care?” and “Why does it matter if you don’t think you’ve experienced trauma?”
Let’s unpack it!
What Does “Trauma-Informed” Actually Mean?
Trauma-informed therapy is not a specific type of therapy; rather, it is an approach that can be integrated into any therapeutic modality. It recognizes that past experiences—especially those that are overwhelming or painful—shape how people think, feel, and respond to the world.
As a trauma-informed therapist, I consistently keep several core principles in mind:
Safety: Ensuring you feel emotionally and physically secure in the therapeutic environment
Trustworthiness: Maintaining consistency, clarity, transparency, and honesty
Choice: Respecting your autonomy and honoring your individual pace
Collaboration: Partnering with you to make decisions together
Empowerment: Supporting you in building confidence in your own inner wisdom and resilience
While these concepts may seem basic, they are especially vital for individuals who have felt powerless, unsafe, or dismissed in the past.
How Trauma-Informed Therapy Might Feel Different
In a trauma-informed setting, therapists proceed thoughtfully and respectfully, attuned not only to your thoughts but also to how your body and nervous system are responding.
You might notice that I ask questions such as:
“What do you want to focus on today?”
“What are your thoughts on addressing XYZ today?” “Do you want to go there today?”
“Let's do a physical check-in with your body right now?”
Trauma-informed care honors the whole person and their lived experience—including body, mind, history, and identity. Both who you are today and your unique past are welcomed and respected.
There is no expectation to “heal” in a specific way or within a set timeframe.
Do I Have to Have ‘Trauma’ for This Approach to be Helpful to Me?
Not at all. This approach benefits anyone seeking to feel safe, seen, and supported in their healing process. Trauma-informed therapy is not limited to those who have experienced significant traumatic events or have a PTSD diagnosis.
You might find trauma-informed care especially helpful if you:
Struggle with people-pleasing or self-doubt
Have a tendency to shut down or freeze during conflict
Feel overwhelmed by your emotions or disconnected from them
Notice that certain situations make your body tense, jumpy, or shut down
Have a hard time trusting others or yourself
Have experienced life-changing traumatic events
Even if you do not identify with these experiences, trauma-informed therapists foster an environment where you are not rushed, not judged, and are accepted just as you are.
Everyone carries stories from their past within their bodies and nervous systems, and these stories often shape their relationships. Trauma-informed care honors each story—whether loud or quiet, known or still unfolding—with compassion and curiosity.
If you are interested in learning more about yourself and working with a therapist in an empowering and safe environment, I am here to support you. Healing unfolds at its own pace. When people are given the chance to reconnect with their inner wisdom in a safe space, transformation can happen.
