Trauma-Informed Approach To SAMHSA

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA, 2014) states that there are four key assumptions that therapists and agencies need to provide effective trauma-informed care by “all people at all levels of the organization or system” (p. 9). SAMSHA (2014) labels these expectations as “The 4 R’s”: (1) “Realization” & understanding of trauma, (2) “Recognize” the trauma, (3) “Respond” using trauma-informed care, and (4) “Resist re-traumatization” of the client and countertransference with the professionals.
The population the Port St. Lucie office serves is eighteen to twenty-five-year-old adults who have been using and or abusing drugs and or alcohol. Most of the clients report that they have experienced some type of a trauma or traumatic events.
The best practices we will use are going to be from SAMHSA.
SAMHSA’s Six Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach.
According to SAMHSA’s concept of a trauma-informed approach, “A program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed: (best Practices):
1.Realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery;
2.Recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system;
3.Responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices;
4.Seeks to actively resist re-traumatization".
A trauma-informed approach reflects adherence to six key principles rather than a prescribed set of practices or procedures:
1.Safety, 2. Trustworthiness and Transparency, 3. Peer support, 4. Collaboration and mutuality, 5. Empowerment, voice and choice, 6. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues (SAMHSA 2014).
Ten implementation domains (SAMHSA 2014).
1. Governance and Leadership, 2. Policy, 3. Physical Environment, 4. Engagement and Involvement, 5. Cross Sector Collaboration, 6. Screening, Assessment, Treatment