“Trauma-specific” and “trauma-informed” services are not the same. Regardless of whether a person’s presenting problem is directly linked to a traumatic experience, trauma-informed services remain aware of, and sensitive to, the possibility that individuals may have trauma-related concerns including second hand trauma, which can occur through repeated exposure to distress. This understanding is reflected in practical, prevention-oriented efforts by organizations such as Circles of Grace, as well as in the clinical work of therapists like jill vidas, who emphasize recognizing indirect trauma exposure as part of trauma-informed practice.
At Circles of Grace, one can get treatment for second hand trauma in Utah that helps individual to process these emotions.
Trauma, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), includes exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual assault. This exposure can occur through direct personal experience, direct observation, learning about trauma experienced by loved ones, or repeated exposure to disturbing details of traumatic events.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a broader definition in SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach (2014). According to SAMHSA, “Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that an individual perceives as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.”
Trauma-informed therapy addresses the effects of trauma by prioritizing an understanding of the root causes of suffering and by creating a safe, supportive environment that promotes healing and resilience. Research suggests that more than 70% of individuals experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, and approximately 10% may further develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Utah-based trauma therapy services serving individuals and families across the state.
Traumatic experiences can push individuals beyond their psychological and physiological limits. Somatic Experiencing (SE) has emerged as a promising body centered approach for addressing PTSD. SE focuses on the psychophysiological effects of trauma.
According to this model, PTSD symptoms arise from a sustained overactivation of the body’s innate stress response system following overwhelming events. During trauma, individuals may be unable to complete natural defensive responses such as fight or flight that often result in prolonged freezing. This incomplete response can lead to persistent physical and emotional dysregulation of the nervous system which further contributes to chronic stress responses that are commonly observed in individuals with PTSD.
In recent years, mental and behavioral health programs worldwide have expanded to include experiential approaches. Psychodrama, first developed by Jacob Levy Moreno in 1921, is a form of psychotherapy inspired by improvisational theatre and originally described as “deep group psychotherapy.” In psychodrama, individuals enact significant life events as though they are occurring in the present moment.
A defining feature of psychodrama is its focus not only on verbal expression but also on behavior and emotional engagement during the act. Through dramatization, individuals gain deeper insight into their experiences that enable them to regulate thoughts and emotions in a better way while strengthening personal resources and coping techniques.
Psychodrama has been applied across diverse mental health settings, with published reports indicating benefits for individuals with various mental health conditions. Community-based applications, including school based prevention and intervention programs, have also demonstrated promising outcomes.
Several evidence-based interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. These can include exposure therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). These approaches are designed to help individuals to process traumatic memories, challenge unhelpful cognitive patterns, and reduce trauma-related distress in a safer way.
Common elements of trauma-informed therapy include:
Psychoeducation: Provide information about stress responses, trauma reminders, and stress management strategies.
Emotional regulation and coping skills: Teaching techniques to manage emotional arousal and distress.
Exposure-based techniques: Gradual and controlled exposure to trauma-related thoughts, emotions, or situations that are avoided due to fear.
Psychologists and mental health professionals must carefully consider factors such as safety, pacing, cultural context, and the risk of retraumatization when providing trauma-informed care. Recent guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA) emphasize the importance of tailoring evidence-based treatments to individual needs, particularly for adults with PTSD and complex trauma histories, while maintaining fidelity to established therapeutic models.
As front-line caregivers, sometimes nurses play a vital role in the delivery of trauma-informed care within medical settings. Their holistic approach contributes significantly to create a safe and supportive environment that enables healing.
In addition to providing ongoing emotional support, healthcare professionals can assist individuals in managing anxiety and stress and teach practical strategies for coping with daily challenges. Through these efforts, trauma-informed mental health care moves beyond symptom management.
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