According to the government guidance working definition it is:

Trauma-informed practice is an approach to health and care interventions which is grounded in the understanding that trauma exposure can impact an individual’s neurological, biological, psychological and social development.

The working definition goes on to explain how practitioners can recognise the sings, symptoms and far-reaching impact of Trauma.  It also explains that trauma informed practice seeks to avoid re-traumatisation.

Trauma informed counselling is based on a framework of six principles which are as follows:

Safety, trust Choice, collaboration, empowerment and cultural consideration

  1. Safe - Creating an environment where clients feel physically, emotionally, and psychologically safe is paramount. This allows them to feel comfortable enough to share their experiences without fear of judgment or punishment.
  2. Trust - Building trust through transparency is crucial. The client must be clear about the process and understand what to expect in every session.
  3. Choice – offering choice is important to allow the client to reclaim control in their lives.
  4. Collaboration - The client is at the centre of their healing journey, allowing them to be an active participant in their recovery.
  5. Empowerment - By involving the client in decisions about their treatment plan and pace of therapy, counsellors help them regain a sense of control over their lives.
  6. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Considerations – Understanding the unique experiences of young people based on their cultural, gender, or socio-economic background is essential in ensuring the approach is effective.

 

Fresh visions Thrive are unique in that they offer counselling to men, women and children. 

One of the key challenges for children and young people exposed to domestic violence is emotional dysregulation. They often experience heightened emotions and find it difficult to manage anger, sadness, or fear. This makes it difficult to form relationships, because they often have issues trusting family members, peers, or authority figures.  Trauma-informed counselling helps young people gradually rebuild trust by offering a safe, non-judgmental space. It also encourages the development of healthy interpersonal skills, laying the groundwork for healthier relationships in the future.