There are so many theoretical approaches and modalities in the helping professions, and figuring out what works for you and your clients can be confusing and frustrating. The new standard of care calls for “evidence based” approaches and many groups are throwing this label around without any idea of what it even means. According to Good Therapy, “Evidence-based treatment (EBT) refers to treatment that is backed by scientific evidence. That is, studies have been conducted and extensive research has been documented on a particular treatment, and it has proven to be successful. The goal of EBT is to encourage the use of safe and effective treatments likely to achieve results and lessen the use of unproven, potentially unsafe treatments.” (http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/evidence-based-treatment)
Trauma-informed care is grounded in evidence-based treatment principles. Researchers and clinicians like Bessel van der Kolk, Christine Courtois, Colin Ross, and many others, have been doing research for decades on what works for trauma-informed care. They have distilled the research down to very specific treatment modalities that are clearly spelled out in their writings. I have been working as a trauma-informed clinician for 20 years this year. I have worked with some of the most difficult patient populations, and though I can’t claim 100% success rates (you should run away if I did!!!), I have been able to successfully treat trauma survivors without losing my own sanity. Clients that had been institutionalized in the 90s, clients that have been in therapy most of their lives, clients that were in and out of hospitals for years, clients on handfuls of medications, clients jumping from one self-destructive/addictive relationship to the next, clients that have hit rock bottom multiple times, clients with chronic pain and addictions – these people are increasing their ability to function and returning to work and school and getting on with the business of having a life and healthy relationships! Trauma-informed care works and that’s why I believe in it!
You can learn more about Trauma-informed care and increase your skills by taking my online courses that give you access to the greatest minds in trauma research and treatment.