Trauma informed care.

Traumatic events including complex and interpersonal trauma can have significant acute and ongoing negative impacts on people’s health, well-being and functioning across the life course. Trauma can be held in the body and can impact cellular structure, brain chemistry, lead to illnesses and immune deficiencies. It can exacerbate medical conditions like chronic pain and headaches. It can also change the relationship people have with their body and can lead to a disconnect between external sensations and internal felt sense. Until trauma survivors feel safe and can process their trauma their nervous system keeps them in a state of stress, hyperarousal and survival activation. Alternatively it may activate hypoarousal and the use of defensive mechanisms like dissociation, numbing out, or immobilization to keep them safe. Increasing numbers of people are seeking help and mind-body therapies for problems and issues that have their roots in adverse childhood experiences and trauma. In this presentation Chris will (i) define trauma and describe some different types, (ii) describe the signs of traumatic stress and the effects of trauma on the mind, body and behaviour, (iii) outline the key principles of trauma-informed care/practice, and trauma-specific practice, and (iv) share some practical and evidence-based strategies for working safely with clients affected by trauma.