By Jay Morse & Kacy Mixon, PhD, LMFT
As we’ve highlighted in previous posts, trauma can have adverse effects on the developing brain and can permeate many aspects of personal, work and school life. We’ve also discussed how military personnel and their families are particularly vulnerable to this issue in previous posts. The impact of trauma has also been found to have devastating effects on communities and organizations leading to an increased interest in trauma-informed care [1].
Today’s Resource Discovery features information provided by SAMHSA’s National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC) and the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). This 2012 manual introduces readers to trauma-informed care by outlining the history, key principles and NCTIC’s role in shaping this treatment approach. Trauma-informed care was first defined and developed by Maxine Harris and Roger Fallot [2]. Developers of this treatment approach believe that everyone can benefit from learning about trauma [1].
Did You Know?
The trauma-informed services movement has its roots in early research on survivors of captivity and war during the 1960’s and 70’s. During the 1080’s, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosis and treatment were pioneered and the Victims of Crime Act was passed by Congress. Also in the 1990’s, the Adverse Childhood Experience study documented the prevalence and impact of childhood trauma. During the last two decades, neurological research has documented pathways through which trauma affects the brain, SAMHSA established centers on trauma-specific issues (e.g. child trauma, community disasters) , and national professional associations and media have increased their focus on trauma. [2]
Since their founding in 2005, NCTIC has worked within a wide range of service systems including health and behavioral health, military, justice, housing and homelessness, education and child welfare, women’s services, developmental disabilities, and various advocacy and governmental agencies to help prepare professionals who work with individuals and families affected by trauma. More detailed information on NCTIC activities, consultants, and products can be found at this webpage.
Professionals working with military families can find this manual especially helpful for providing key principles of trauma-informed care as well as a brief summary of the history of trauma-informed services and key facts about trauma. Below we’ve listed more information on our previous blogs and webinars on trauma.
Webinar:
Blogs:
- What are Dual Trauma Couples?
- Women’s Trauma-Informed Care
- Experiencing PTSD
- EFT for Couples Affected by Trauma.
Resources:
1. National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (2012). SAMHSA’s National Center for Trauma-Informed Care: changing communities, changing lives. VA: Author.
2. Harris, M. & Fallot, R. (2001) Using Trauma Theory to Design Service Systems, New Directions for Mental Health Services, 89 Spring.
This post was written by Jay Morse and Kacy Mixon, PhD, LMFT. Both are members of the MFLN Family Development (FD) that aims to support the development of professionals working with military families. Find out more about the Military Families Learning Network FD concentration on our website, on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.