Trauma Informed Care Essay

Both of these readings highlight the best practices to use when working with those who have experience trauma, but in different populations. The first article by Bath looks at the idea of the three pillars: safety, connection, and managing emotions. The second is more of a research study examining individuals in homeless shelters, which is trauma in and of itself, and often have other psychological problems, as well. When working with any population that has experienced significant traumatic events, or any population for that matter, Trauma-Informed Care should be implemented in order to ensure all individuals are comfortable and receptive to assistance.

One of the main similarities between the suggested responses to these demographics is the emphasis on establishing safety. This is one of the most basic human needs as described by Maslow, Erikson, and Bowlby. For children, any traumatic event can cause them to not feel safe in their environment and/or with other people, particularly adults. Therefore, before any other

Therefore, it is important to build a relationship slowly and gradually over a long period of time. As stated in the Bath article, “on average, the qualities of the therapeutic relationship itself account for twice as much positive change as the specific therapeutic techniques that are used” (Bath, 2008, p. 20). Over time, the person will be able to share more with the social worker and work on healing. Finally, one of the main symptoms of PTSD is difficulty managing emotions. This is a main concern for children and those living in homeless shelters. Work must be done in order to make sure they effectively manage their emotions without feeling overwhelmed or out-of-control. According to Hopper, Bassuk, and Olivet, survivors of traumatic experience often feel damaged and ashamed, resulting in impulsivity and extreme emotions