Transcript Trauma Informed Services - Women, Children, & Families

Trauma Informed Services
The Evolution of a Concept
Maxine Harris Ph.D.
July, 2004
What Is A Trauma-Informed
Service System?
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A human services or health care system
whose primary mission is altered by
virtue of knowledge about trauma and
the impact it has on the lives of
consumers receiving services
Why Trauma?
The Extent of the Problem
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60-75% of women in treatment for drug
or alcohol abuse
43-81% of adult psychiatric inpatients
22-54% of women receiving outpatient
mental health services
50-70% of women in domestic violence
shelters
INFORM: to educate and make
knowledgeable about
(Harris and Fallot, 2000)
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Basic education for staff about trauma
and its relationship to mental health
symptoms and substance abuse
Consumer awareness campaign
Standard assessment of trauma and
PTSD symptoms
INFORM: to educate (cont)
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Trauma skills assessment as part of an
employment interview for all clinical staff
Trauma champions within the agency
Elimination of overtly abusive practices
Administrative support for training and
treatment innovations
INFORM: to give character to
(Elliot, Bjelajac, et. al., 2004)
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Services should maximize consumer safety,
choice and empowerment
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Eliminate practices that have the potential to revictimize
Collaborate in all aspects of treatment
Provide needed emotional and practical support to
facilitate recovery
Maximize choice and consumer control
Emphasize consumer strengths
Acknowledge and respect the role of culture
INFORM: to be the formative
principle of
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A paradigm shift in assessment, diagnosis, and
treatment that identifies trauma as the core event
 Wider use of trauma-related diagnoses
 Identification of trauma-related skill deficits
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Self-awareness, self-soothing, accurate labeling
Treatment to address trauma and the related skill
deficits specifically
Appreciation of the impact trauma dynamics have
on all relationships
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Betrayal, power, blame and trust
Choosing a Definition
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Assess the needs and values of the organization
Assess the resources available
Assess the potential opposition
Consider staging the transformation