Trauma Informed Approach
A trauma-informed approach means understanding how trauma affects people and ensuring that every aspect of therapeutic practice reflects that understanding. This page explains what a trauma-informed approach is and how it shapes the way I work.
What Does Trauma Informed Mean? A trauma-informed approach is not a specific therapy technique. It is a framework that recognises the widespread impact of trauma and integrates that understanding into every aspect of practice. It means: - Assuming that the people I work with may have experienced trauma, and shaping my practice accordingly
- Prioritising safety , physical, emotional, and psychological , at all times
- Giving you control over the pace and direction of our work
- Understanding that symptoms and behaviours make sense in context
- Never pathologising normal responses to abnormal experiences
- Recognising that recovery is possible The Five Principles My trauma-informed approach is built on five core principles: Safety , the therapeutic space must feel genuinely safe. This means consistency, reliability, clear boundaries, and a non-judgemental attitude. You need to feel safe before any deeper work can happen. Pacing , trauma work is never rushed. We go at your speed. If something feels too much, we slow down. If you are ready to go deeper, we do that together. You are always in control of the pace. Power awareness , I am aware that the therapist-client relationship involves a power dynamic. I work to ensure this dynamic is transparent, ethical, and never exploitative. Your autonomy is always respected. Nervous system regulation , I pay attention to what is happening in your body as well as your mind. If your nervous system is overwhelmed, we focus on grounding and regulation before pushing forward. Nervous System Dysregulation Collaborative delivery , therapy is a partnership, not something done to you. We work together to set goals, choose approaches, and review progress. Your expertise on your own experience is valued alongside my clinical training. How This Shapes Every Session In practice, a trauma-informed approach means: - Sessions are predictable and consistent , same time, same platform, same structure
- I check in with you about how you are feeling, not just what you want to talk about
- I respect your boundaries and never pressure you to share more than you are ready to
- I explain what I am doing and why, so you are never surprised
- If something is not working, we talk about it openly and adjust
- Your experience and your pace always come first The Comparisons Understanding what therapy and psychotherapy involve , and how they compare to other forms of support , can help you make an informed decision. This section includes direct comparisons: - Therapy vs Psychotherapy , what distinguishes therapy from psychotherapy
- Therapy vs Counselling , how therapy and counselling compare
- Psychotherapy vs Coaching , the difference between psychotherapy and coaching
- Online vs In-Person Therapy , how online and in-person therapy compare These comparisons are designed to help you understand your options clearly, without bias. Why This Matters Not all therapy is trauma informed. A well-meaning therapist without a trauma-informed approach can inadvertently retraumatise a client , by pushing too fast, failing to recognise triggers, or not understanding how trauma affects the therapeutic relationship. I work as an integrative psychotherapist specialising in trauma. Everything I do is shaped by an understanding of how trauma works and what people need to feel safe enough to heal. Power and Control Trauma Impact All sessions are held online via a secure video platform, accessible from anywhere in the UK. Online Therapy UK
Frequently asked questions
What is a trauma-informed approach?
A trauma-informed approach is a framework that recognises the widespread impact of trauma and ensures that every aspect of practice , from the physical environment to the therapeutic relationship , reflects that understanding. It prioritises safety, pacing, power awareness, nervous system regulation, and collaboration.
Is all therapy trauma informed?
No. While awareness is growing, not all therapists work in a trauma-informed way. If you have experienced trauma, it is important to work with someone who understands how trauma affects the therapeutic process and can adjust their approach accordingly.
Do I need to have experienced trauma to benefit from a trauma-informed approach?
No. The principles of a trauma-informed approach , safety, pacing, collaboration, and respect for autonomy , benefit everyone. You do not need to identify as having experienced trauma to benefit from a therapist who works in this way.
What is the difference between trauma-informed therapy and trauma therapy?
Trauma-informed therapy means the therapist understands trauma and incorporates that understanding into all their work. Trauma therapy specifically focuses on processing traumatic experiences. I offer both , all my work is trauma informed, and I also offer specific trauma processing for clients who want that depth of work. Trauma Processing
If you are looking for a therapist who works in a trauma-informed way, I offer a short, free introductory call. There is no obligation. Get in Touch
Frequently asked questions
What does trauma-informed mean?
A trauma-informed approach means that everything about how I work is shaped by an understanding of trauma and its effects. I prioritise safety, trust and collaboration. I pay attention to how past experiences may influence how you feel in the present, including within our therapeutic relationship. I work at your pace and will never push you to talk about anything before you are ready.
Related pages
- Therapy , therapy as a broad practice
- Psychotherapy , psychotherapy as a specific discipline
- How I Work , my therapeutic approach
- Trauma Impact , trauma impact
- Trauma Recovery , trauma recovery
- Contact , get in touch
Frequently asked questions
How is a trauma-informed approach different from standard therapy?
A trauma-informed approach recognises that trauma affects the whole person - how you think, feel, relate to others and experience the world. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, I pay attention to underlying patterns, triggers and the need for safety throughout our work. I am careful to avoid re-traumatisation and I ensure you always feel in control of the pace and direction of therapy.
Do I need a trauma diagnosis to benefit from trauma-informed therapy?
No, you do not need any diagnosis at all. A trauma-informed approach simply means I am attuned to how difficult experiences may be affecting you, whether or not those experiences have been formally recognised as trauma. Many people are unsure whether what they experienced counts as traumatic. You do not need to define it - we can explore it together at whatever pace feels right for you.