Creating Trauma-Informed Services: Tipsheet Series: Tips for Enhancing Emotional Safety

2011 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Emotional Safety

Using feminist theory as a research method in the examination of trauma-informed care in a non-profit organisation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly L. Hardner ◽  
Molly R. Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Feminist Theory ◽  
Research Method ◽  
The United States ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Positive Direction ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Trauma Informed Care ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Emotional Safety ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this qualitative study was to gather information about the experiences of staff at a non-profit agency in the United States as the organisation transitioned towards the implementation of trauma-informed care (TIC). In non-profit organisations, TIC (that is, safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration and empowerment) enhances the wellbeing of employees and clients by acknowledging the impact of trauma and reducing the risk of retraumatisation. Feminist theory was utilised to inform this study to empower participants to voice their experiences and to analyse the organisation’s commitment to the principles of TIC. Four focus groups were conducted (N = 17 participants in total) and all participants reported that the organisational culture was moving in a positive direction. Even in the early stages of the implementation of TIC, management reported feeling empowered and supported by the organisation; however, many participants noted that significant work will need to continue to enhance the emotional safety and empowerment of direct-line workers.

scholarly journals Interventions to treat post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) in vulnerably housed populations and trauma-informed care: A scoping review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandria Bennett ◽  
Kien Crosse ◽  
Michael Ku ◽  
Nicole E Edgar ◽  
Amanda Hodgson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Trauma Informed Care ◽  
High Staff Turnover ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Emotional Safety

Objectives: The goals of this study are to identify and analyse interventions that aim to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD in individuals who are vulnerably housed and to describe how these treatments have been delivered using trauma-informed care. Design: Scoping review Search strategy: We searched electronic databases including MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PTSDpubs for published literature up to March 2020 for any studies that examined the treatment of PTSD in adults who were vulnerably housed. Websites of relevant organizations and other grey literature sources were searched to supplement the electronic database search. The characteristics and effect of the interventions were analyzed. We also explored how the interventions were delivered and the elements of trauma-informed care that were described. Results: 26 studies were included. We identified four types of interventions: (1) trauma focused psychotherapies; (2) non-trauma psychotherapies; (3) housing interventions; and (4) pharmacotherapies. The trauma-informed interventions were small case series and the non-trauma focused therapies included four randomized controlled trials, were generally ineffective. Of the ten studies which described trauma-informed care the most commonly named elements were physical and emotional safety, the experience of feeling heard and understood, and flexibility of choice. The literature also commented on the difficulty of providing care to this population including lack of private space to deliver therapy; the co-occurrence of substance use; and barriers to follow-up including limited length of stay in different shelters and high staff turnover. Conclusions: This scoping review identified a lack of high-quality trials to address PTSD in the vulnerably housed. There is a need to conduct well designed trials that take into account the unique setting of this population and which describe those elements of trauma-informed care that are most important and necessary.

scholarly journals Silent Voices, Hidden Stories: A Review of Sexual Assault (Non)Disclosure Literature, Emerging Issues, and Call to Action

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 163-176
Author(s):  
Anna Gjika ◽  
Alison J Marganski
Keyword(s):  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
Digital World ◽  
Trauma Informed Care ◽  
Disclosure Decisions ◽  
Conscious Choice ◽  
Emerging Issues ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Emotional Safety

Social media and digital platforms are being used to disclose sexual and dating violence experiences and to unite victims/survivors in social, educational, and advocacy efforts. While digital disclosure can be empowering, there are reasons why some individuals do not disclose. This article focuses on the nuances underlying decisions to (and not to) disclose victimization experiences online, and also presents a call to action, particularly for researchers and practitioners working on sexual violence intervention and prevention. Through a comparative, international literature review, the authors highlight research on factors affecting disclosure decisions while also considering contemporary issues that may impact these decisions. They conclude that, in responding to victims’ and survivors’ “justice” needs (e.g., physical and emotional safety, conscious choice, and empowerment), an intersectional feminist lens is essential in today’s complex digital world in affording an understanding of variation in disclosure practices. When combined with trauma-informed care, such an approach holds promise for transforming existing online environments into more inclusive and compassionate socio-technological spaces.  

Supporting Face-to-Face Birth Family Contact after Adoption from Care: Learning for Trauma-Sensitive Practice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandi MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Adult Child ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adoptive Parents ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Trauma Informed Care ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Emotional Safety ◽  
Birth Family ◽  
Family Contact ◽  
And Control

Abstract There are recent calls to consider face-to-face birth family contact for more children adopted from care. Given that the threshold for this authoritative intervention is significant harm, post-adoption contact should be sensitive to the possible impact of early childhood trauma, and be adequately supported. This article draws on adopters’ reports of face-to-face contact with birth relatives, and their evaluation of social work support to suggest an approach to practice informed by principles of trauma-informed care. Twenty-six adoptive parents participated in focus groups, and seventy-three completed a web-based questionnaire, all from Northern Ireland where face-to-face post-adoption contact is expected. Findings are structured thematically around principles of trauma-informed care: trusting relationships; physical and emotional safety; choice and control; and narrative coherence. Most families had a social worker attending contact, and help with practical arrangements. Less common but important practices included: deliberate consideration of children’s perspectives; safeguarding their emotional well-being; and facilitating communication outside of visits. Findings suggest that visits are a context in which trauma-effects may surface, and social workers supporting contact should be sensitive to this possibility. This article suggests a systemic approach to helping all parties prepare for, manage and de-brief after contact, attending to both adult-to-adult and adult–child interactions.

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