Trauma-Informed Care

Healing the nervous system and providing the child with the safe and secure foundation for healthy emotional and cognitive development

Trauma-informed care begins with the premise that a client's behavior is the result of some past event or experience that was not supportive and loving. The experience leaves an often invisible trail within the child’s nervous system and emotional life.

It is the body’s natural protective response to shut down one’s sensory system so as to block emotional or physical pain. However by “shutting off,” a child becomes disconnected from their life force – which hinders development and joy – wreaking havoc on the child’s sensory system and on their relationships.

Hence, as an occupational therapist I often address the sensory issues that occur as a result of the trauma.

Examples of life events that may result in trauma might include:

  • essential but traumatic medical procedures

  • elected surgeries

  • birth trauma

  • family discord or divorce

  • the death of a relative

  • physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

  • drug addiction in utero

However, it is important to keep in mind that in Trauma-Informed Care, I first and foremost try to understand where behavior comes from as oppose to trying to punish and blame.

During a typical Trauma-Informed Care Session

Trauma-Informed Care is highly individualized and begins with recognition of the child’s current state.

We often begin with exploring the positive resources that give the child strength, such as the child’s love of sports, or art, or their relationship to a favorite relative.

Later, we may have an open discussion to understand and explore how past trauma is affecting the child’s current nervous system.

I follow the needs of the child… I may:

  • give the child an opportunity to use arts and crafts to explore the feelings that they don’t fully understand.

  • use sensory integration treatment to help heal the sensory systems that have been effected. In some children, their nervous systems are resilient and are not as effected by trauma.

The process’ pace is child-centered as is the selection of treatment modalities. We must thoroughly respect the boundaries that the child requires. Suggestions may be offered – but never forced.

Benefits of this therapy may include…

  • Less reactivity to various sensory experiences

  • Increased ability to access one’s positive life force

  • Greater ability to  know when a situation is toxic

  • Greater ability to express and set clear boundaries

  • Increased ability to find pleasure in ones experiences

  • Increased ability to be more present in relationships

  • Improved learning skill

“Sarah helped us to understand the connection between speech delay and the trauma of his medical procedures”

“My son was born with a serious kidney condition that necessitated numerous medical procedures . When Sarah first started working with him at two years old he was not talking. Sarah helped us to understand the connection between the speech delay and the traumatic nature of his medical procedures. This in turn helped me to be less anxious. Sarah gave us ways to minimize the trauma of future procedures. She also gave us a way to encourage more language that was fun and not more traumatizing. I am happy to say that my son is now three and is talking and interacting like a typical three year old.”

– From a mother of child with delayed speech associated with trauma from medical procedures