A trauma-informed approach to therapy – what it looks like.
“Trauma-informed ” has become a buzzword lately. I see it everywhere, from yoga classes and coaching programs to apps. And while it’s positive that more people are becoming aware of the impact of trauma, I worry that the term is starting to lose its meaning.
If you’re not quite sure what “trauma-informed” means I am not surprised! Even as a therapist, I’ve asked myself the same question, as it seemed to me it’s the basics of therapy, and I wondered how it could be applied to other settings. I asked if I was missing out on a magical technique or intervention. But actually, no. Trauma-informed is just the basics of being a good therapist. Just like a doctor washing their hands before surgery, it’s not a magical intervention – just everyday essential practice (or it should be!).
What Does Trauma-Informed Therapy Mean?
Trauma-informed therapy acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma and incorporates this understanding into the delivery of therapy. It does not require clients to share painful memories or assume that everyone has experienced trauma. Instead, it focuses on creating a safe, respectful environment that avoids re-traumatisation.
A trauma-informed therapist will:
- Recognise that trauma is common and can manifest in various ways, such as anxiety, emotional shutdown, people-pleasing, or difficulties in trusting others.
- Foster emotional and psychological safety, allowing clients to feel a sense of control.
- Provide choices, encourage collaboration, and respect personal boundaries.
- Be aware of power dynamics and work collaboratively with the client instead of imposing on them.
Importantly, we do not wait to see visible signs of trauma before working to ensure safety, just as we wouldn’t wait to see dirt before washing our hands.
Am I a Trauma-Informed Therapist?
Yes because it underpins everything I do, but it isn’t an extra I add on. You can’t book a trauma-informed session and a “normal” session because it’s just how I think therapy should be all the time.
In my work, trauma-informed practice looks like:
Letting clients set the pace of work and not pushing to go deeper
Checking in regularly to see what you want to focus on.
Respecting that you may share certain experiences slowly, or not at all
Seeing you as a whole person, not a diagnosis or a label.
For example, I might work with someone who initially comes for help with social anxiety. After a few sessions, they may share that they’ve experienced something traumatic, like a serious accident or assault. When that happens, I don’t need the full story in one go — or even at all. I follow their lead. They get to decide how much they share and when. Often at the start of sessions I give clients some options for how we work in the session because it’s important they feel in control.
Why I have a problem with the term “trauma informed”
When the words are used without depth or understanding, it becomes just another marketing term and this can minimise the experiences of people who have experienced trauma and even cause harm.
I’ve seen TikTok ads for “trauma-informed apps” that are glorified to-do lists. The message seems to be: if you just clean your house and get up earlier, your trauma will disappear. If you are mentally well but experiencing a slight mental dip, then those apps could be helpful in getting you back on track. But for a person who has experienced a trauma, this won’t help and in fact could make them feel worse as they get the message they should be able to “snap out of it”.
Real trauma work takes more than a checklist. It takes skill, supervision (all ethical therapists meet regularly with a qualified supervisor), emotional maturity, and a deep respect for the people we work with.
Why I Don’t Rush to Pathologise
Another part of working in a trauma-informed way is avoiding unnecessary pathologising. Many of my clients have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, often shortly after something overwhelming or traumatic has happened.
I do use those words because they’re widely understood and can help describe symptoms. But I don’t see them as defining who you are.
I often ask “What’s happened to you?” instead of “What’s wrong with you?” For example, a person might be diagnosed with depression after a bereavement or a relationship breakdown. Low mood is a normal human reaction to grief so having feelings of depression aren’t a sign that anything is “wrong” with you. Similarly a person who grew up in a home that felt unsafe might experience anxiety as an adult.
What to Look For in a Trauma-Informed Therapist
You don’t need to have experienced trauma to benefit from a trauma-informed approach. But if you’re looking for a therapist who works this way, here are a few signs to look for:
They respect your pace — no pressure to share more than you want to.
They ask for consent before exploring sensitive topics.
They don’t label or pathologise you.
They create space for big emotions without trying to fix or minimise them.
They’re open about their training, boundaries, and supervision.
Most of all, you feel safe with them — trust and rapport matter more than any specific technique.
If you would like to find out a little more about working with me please click the button below to book a free 20 minute phone chat