BH 158 Trauma Informed Care

Lecture Hours: 3
Credits: 3

Introduces the sources and characteristics, and the acute and long-term impact of trauma on individuals, couples, and families in a developmental, biosocial context. Explores effects on those working with trauma survivors and the inadvertent re-traumatization of victims by the social service system. Introduces crisis management strategies in the context of a trauma-informed practice. Discusses policy and advocacy issues. Provides framework for crisis recognition/response and intervention with people experiencing trauma symptoms. Students will analyze and practice using a trauma-informed framework designed to work successfully with trauma survivors in multiple settings, including how to recognize and respond to crisis. Examines key elements necessary to provide trauma-informed interventions and examples of trauma-informed services.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Describe the prevalence of physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, institutional and racial abuse and neglect.
Differentiate and discuss sources, characteristics, acute and long-term impact of trauma on individuals, couples, families and systems.
Practice skills to screen human service clients for past and current trauma including selection of effective motivation tools and appropriate referral.
Identify and practice strategies to respond and intervene in crisis situations with clients experiencing trauma symptoms and practice crisis management skills from a trauma informed framework.
Develop self-care practice to address secondary trauma and identify how practitioners trauma affects human service practice. Examine traumatization and re-traumatization of individuals in the human service system.
Conduct and analyze a self-assessment of vicarious traumatization from the staff/organization reference point.
Discuss steps contributing to reduction of stress and re-traumatization in consumers, staff, self and organizations.
Describe a trauma-informed framework for employing empathetic interactions with individuals.
Identify key elements in culturally appropriate trauma-informed services, interventions, and policies.

Content Outline

Definition of Trauma and Complex Trauma
- Current diagnosis and treatment
- Misdiagnosis and pathologizing of trauma, how that effects treatment
- Implications for clinical, social and institutional policies and practices
- Bio-social models of attachment
- Effects of trauma across the lifespan and implications for service delivery systems
Racial and Institutional Trauma and Re-traumatization
- African American specific family issues and interventions
- Theoretical and practical issues around re-traumatization of consumers
Examining Theories of Vicarious Traumatization and Burnout
- Developing a trauma framework for examining self, co-workers, individuals and community
- Examining theoretical concepts and history of peer-run services
Analyzing Key Concepts of Creating Trauma Informed Services
- Using trauma theory to develop culturally specific services for individuals with co-occurring disorders and their families
Skill Development for Screening and Referral
- Demonstrate empathy addressing trauma background
- Avoiding re-traumatizing of individuals
- Cultural approaches for screening and referral
- Managing practitioner stress, triggers and trauma experience while engaging human service work
Skill with Trauma-informed Practice
- Clear understanding and use of tools for trauma0informed practice
- Embodiment practices: grounding, psychosomatic treatment of trauma