Social work professionals work with clients of all ages who have experienced trauma in their lives. Traumatic events like neglectful or abusive relationships, violent acts, and natural disasters overwhelm coping mechanisms and cause long-term health consequences. The National Council for Behavioral Health estimates that 70% of adults in the United States have experienced trauma at least once in their lives. 

The physical and mental toll caused by trauma requires a distinct approach from other issues facing social work clients. Trauma-informed care provides a blueprint for social workers to ask, “What happened to you?” rather than “What’s wrong with you?” Understanding the causes and effects of trauma is a good starting point when answering the question, “What is trauma-informed care?” 

 

The Causes and Effects of Trauma 

Trauma strains our physical and emotional responses, creating lasting impacts if left unaddressed. Sixty-four percent of adults in the United States reported at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), while 17 percent experienced at least four ACEs before the age of 18. Events qualifying as ACEs include: 

• Household substance use 
• An incarcerated household member 
• Parental separation or divorce 
• Witnessing intimate partner violence 

Traumatic events aren’t limited to experiences in our most formative years. Adults may experience trauma during the unexpected deaths of friends or family, car accidents, natural disasters, and medical emergencies. 

Social workers encounter a variety of symptoms related to trauma in their clients. Common effects of trauma include hyperarousal or hypervigilance, dissociation, and self-medication. The range of trauma effects may also include: 

• Anxiety and depression 
• Emotional dysregulation and numbing 
• Reenacting traumatic events 

Diagnosing trauma is part of the intake process for health care providers and behavioral health practitioners. An example of trauma assessment is the Brief Trauma Questionnaire (BTQ) developed by the National Center for PTSD. This 10-question assessment asks clients if they have experienced events including: 

• Live or serve in an active war zone 
• The violent death of a close family member or friend 
• Witnessing serious injury or death 

 

Principles of Trauma-Informed Care 

Trauma-informed care centers on the effects of trauma in a social worker’s treatment of their clients. This approach views trauma as a common source of mental and physical health issues rather than exceptional events. Social workers engaged in trauma-informed care build trust and employ empathy to show alternatives to the trauma faced by their clients. 

Treatment of trauma cannot take place without a physically and emotionally safe space for clients. Social workers need to validate client experiences and feelings as part of their consultations. The following principles of trauma-informed care are useful in building pathways to treatment: 

1. Safety 
2. Trust 
3. Choice 
4. Collaboration 
5. Empowerment 

Social work professionals must also keep in mind cultural sensitivities and gender-specific needs with trauma-informed care. One client’s ethnic, cultural, and religious background may require a different treatment approach than another client. Trauma-informed care may look different for each client depending on their gender, age, relationships, and past experiences. 

 

Trauma-Informed Care Examples 

The principles of trauma-informed care may seem intuitive to social work professionals because they are inherent aspects of their daily work. It may be helpful to illustrate these principles with examples drawn from real-life clients. The following trauma-informed care examples show how you can best care for clients dealing with trauma:  

 

1. Safety

Client A is a woman in a substance treatment group who resists participation with other group members or the lead social worker. This client may be concerned about her surroundings and judgment from others in the group. A trauma-centered approach involves modifying the environment for group meetings by incorporating softer lighting, comfortable seating, and art with natural themes. The lead social worker can also ask open-ended questions and be supportive during brief one-on-one sessions before group meetings. 

 

2. Trust

Client B was the victim of sexual abuse in childhood and again in college. His family members and friends did not believe he was telling the truth, leading to a deep distrust of close relationships. The effects of Client B’s trauma include re-enacting traumatic events and difficulty establishing boundaries with others.  

A social worker practicing trauma-informed care begins by recognizing Client B’s past experiences before brainstorming ways to manage relationships. This process not only builds the client’s confidence but also models a positive relationship built on mutual trust. 

 

3. Choice

Client C is a high school student who has been referred to a social worker due to frequent cases of disruptive behavior. She resists discussing anything with her social worker during their first appointment and loudly expresses her anger about her teacher. This client may be unable to regulate their emotions due to a difficult home life or past trauma.  

The social worker can start by acknowledging Client C’s frustration and encouraging her to share at her own pace in a safe setting. This interaction works best when it isn’t judgmental of the client, the teacher, or the school; it is simply an opportunity to present her experience. Client C may be more likely to open up if she is given the power to share. 

 

4. Collaboration

Client D is the parent of a child with disabilities who is overwhelmed by his responsibilities. The client is resistant during discussions with a social worker, providing short answers to open-ended questions. The social worker is evaluating the potential placement of the child in out-of-home care. 

A trauma-informed approach recognizes that Client D may have had bad experiences with other care providers and feels concerned about potential separation. The social worker-client relationship should be presented as a partnership toward easing their anxieties. A positive start leads to a better evaluation of Client D, while also supporting their participation in the process. 

 

5. Empowerment

Client C is an adolescent cancer survivor who now as an adult is working with doctors to conceive a baby. After multiple losses, she is further along in her pregnancy than ever. Despite being high risk, her medical specialist wants to transfer her care to a general OB.  

A trauma informed care recognizes how during their cancer treatment, Client E did not have control over their treatment or body. This feeling of powerlessness was exacerbated when she loss multiple pregnancies. Supporting the client in identifying these losses, validating them, and use of her voice with their specialist counters past trauma experiences. 

 

Building the Skills Needed for Trauma-Informed Care 

Social workers are the most common providers of behavioral health services, according to a 2024 HRSA report. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) are well-positioned to treat clients with traumatic experiences because of their advanced training in therapy services. An MSW from an innovative and nationally recognized university can help you provide trauma-informed care for clients. The right MSW program balances schedule flexibility, experienced faculty, and a commitment to high-quality field placements. St. Bonaventure University checks all of these marks with its Online MSW program. 

 

How Can St. Bonaventure University Advance My Social Work Career? 

Our Online Master of Social Work is an innovative program with 100% online coursework. Future clinical social workers can complete their degrees in as little as 31 months of part-time study. Graduates of our clinically focused Master of Social Work program carry our core social justice values of compassion, wisdom, and integrity throughout their careers. 

Our program’s trauma-informed courses and practicum hours are divided between foundational and advanced years. Students complete 400 practicum hours and courses like Human Behavior in the Social Environment and Social Work Interventions. The advanced year curriculum includes 500 practicum hours and coursework including: 

• Clinical Practice with Individuals 
• Integrated Clinical Assessment and Differential Diagnosis 
• Social Policy, Justice, and the Law 
• Trauma-Informed Clinical Social Work Practice 

We offer a great return on investment for your time, energy, and money. Tuition for the online Master of Social Work is competitive among other programs in the discipline. Bonnies across all academic disciplines benefit from our strong reputation, including the following regional ranks from the U.S. News & World Report: 

• No. 6 in Best Value Schools 
• No. 14 in Most Innovative Schools 
• No. 17 in Regional Universities North 

Learn more about our transformative program and connect with an enrollment advisor today to discover the SBU difference.