Traditional
Services & Systems
Trauma-Informed
Services & Systems
Traumatic events are viewed as peripheral
events in people’s lives.
Traumatic events are understood to be primary
events impacting everything else in the clients’
lives.
Providers view trauma as an ancillary past event
having little connection to current functioning.
Recognizes how an unbalanced nervous system may
contribute to physical issues. Understands that trauma
survivors often have a worldview of hopelessness and
helplessness often leading to a myriad of physical,
mental, emotional and spiritual issues.
Problems/Symptoms are inter-related responses or
coping strategies.
Symptoms are discrete and separate.
Each problem (symptom/concern) requires a
separate source of support or intervention, i.e.,
person with substance use disorder labeled as
alcoholic without understanding that the person
uses alcohol to address sleeplessness, anxiety,
intrusive thoughts /memories or other problems
associated with trauma.
Service providers reinforce perception that they
are the experts.
Clients are seen and treated as passive recipients
of services provided by people who are more
knowledgeable about what is best.
Clinical staff quickly assigns a diagnosis in order to
treat a condition.
Many problems, e.g., substance use, dissociation, selfinjury, aggression, are attempts to cope with feelings (or
lack thereof) associated with traumatic events or unsafe
environments.
Service providers share power and recognize the
wisdom & experience people bring to the service
relationship.
Everyone at the organization receives information about
the impact of trauma. This includes reception staff,
accountants, clinicians, administrators, advocates and
clients. All are trained to respond to individuals in
distress; this approach emphasizes the importance of
viewing clients’ responses through the lens of trauma
and attempts to equalize power imbalances in
relationships.
Clients are treated as the experts on their lives.
Focus is on symptom reduction.
Goals are defined by the client with a focus on
recovery and healing.
Agencies and providers are responsible for ‘fixing’
the ‘problem.’ Staff views clients as broken,
vulnerable, damaged and needing protection.
Understands that clients must have the maximum level
of choice, autonomy, self-determination, dignity, and
respect. The agency is responsible for providing
services that are person-centered and an environment
that is conducive to wellness and healing.
Reactive.
Proactive.
Services and systems are crisis-driven and focused
on minimizing organizational liability.
Services and policies focus on preventing crisis and
avoiding re-traumatization. Providers assist consumers
in creating crisis prevention plans.
Adapted from, A Long Journey Home: A Guide for Creating Trauma-Informed Services for Mothers and Children Experiencing
Homelessness
Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Trauma-Informed Care Consultant: Elizabeth.Hudson@wi.gov