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Nov 265 min read

Trauma-Informed Principles, A Snapshot


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At The Mother Corp., we believe in amplifying knowledge and fostering meaningful education to support healing and growth. To deepen your understanding of trauma-informed practices and approaches, we are thrilled to introduce guest writers on our blog. These contributors bring diverse expertise, lived experiences, and professional insights to enrich our collective learning.


Their voices provide valuable perspectives on trauma recovery, empowerment, and navigating complex systems. Together, we aim to create a space where education meets compassion.


Guest writers allow us to spotlight incredible voices and their impactful contributions. We are honoured to share their expertise with you.


Today we are featuring Daneila Lechet, Master of Social Work, Registered Social Worker in Ontario, Canada.


 

I wanted to share with people about how trauma informed work is practical and helpful to our clients and ourselves. My experiences vary from community to clinical social work. A trauma informed approach and application is based on Trauma informed principles. Here are some examples of my own experiences working in various social service roles. 


1. Safety and Trustworthiness 


  • Create a safe environment: Ensure that the physical and emotional environment is welcoming and free of threats. This includes the setup of your space, your body language, and tone of voice. (For example, in a women centred recovery space, advertisements for alcohol products can be swapped out for more neutral advertising to limit potential triggers for clients and supporting recovery). 


  • Be consistent and transparent: Trauma survivors often struggle with trust. Be clear about what will happen during sessions, keep boundaries, and follow through on commitments. (If notes are taken, explain to clients the legal parameters). 


  • Confidentiality: Reinforce that the client’s information is protected and that you adhere to professional confidentiality standards. (As a RSW confidentiality is limited. We have a legal responsibility to report if the client is at risk to themselves, others or a minor in that person’s care.) 


2. Empowerment and Collaboration 


  • Respect the client’s autonomy: Allow the client to make choices about their session and provide them with options when possible. Empower them by valuing their voice in the decision-making process. (Clients have agency over their lives, this includes gender identity. Use the pronoun that the client states). 


  • Collaborate, don’t direct: The impact of trauma can make some people feel powerless. Engaging the client in setting goals, making decisions, and choosing coping strategies helps restore a sense of control.  


3. Cultural Sensitivity 


  • Understand the impact of gender and culture on trauma: Women may have experienced gender-specific trauma (e.g., sexual violence, domestic abuse) and may have different cultural expectations or stigma attached to trauma experiences. (Gender based violence is a global issue not linked to a particular culture.) 


  • Avoid assumptions: Don’t assume what the client needs; instead, ask open-ended questions and be willing to learn from them. (Work wholistically with people.) 


4. Recognize Trauma Symptoms and Triggers 


Understand trauma responses: Trauma can manifest in various ways (e.g., hypervigilance, dissociation, emotional numbness. (Become familiar with your client’s baseline, thoughts, behavior and actions. Recognizing these responses allows you to support the client.) 



 


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5.Pacing and Boundaries 


  • Go at the client’s pace: Avoid asking or leading the client to talk about traumatic experiences before they’re ready. Instead, focus on creating a safe and trusting relationship. (Pacing means working with the clients’ abilities and accommodating their needs). 


  • Set and respect boundaries: Ensure clear boundaries. This helps maintain a sense of safety for the client and you. (For example, taking a break in a meeting demonstrates a boundary and how you can work together, manage a setback and move on). 


6. Use a Strength-Based Approach 


  • Highlight resilience: Trauma survivors often have a wealth of resilience and coping skills. Focus on the client’s strengths and vocalize the ways they have adapted to surviving circumstances is part of their healing, trauma informed is a strength based approach for client and worker). 


  • Normalize/validate their reactions: Many trauma survivors feel isolated. Reinforce that their reactions to trauma are common and shared by others who have been through similar experiences. (When it is beneficial to use client’s language to normalize and validate their reactions, do so, without re-traumatizing them). 


7. Avoid Re-Traumatization 


Minimize invasive or authoritative behaviour: Trauma survivors may have experienced control or coercion. Respect their personal space, avoid being overly directive, and refrain from making sudden unknown movements or decisions. (If there is a change in plans or space, let client know this in advance and apologize for inconvenience. Tone and intonation is something to be aware of as many of our clients have experienced threatening words delivered in tones that are meant to intimidate or scare them). 


Avoid leading with intense or potentially triggering content: Always check in on how they are feeling during difficult conversations/situations. (As a trauma informed practice, group participants are encouraged to give what are the headlines of their stories, not the details, in order to manage triggers and create a safer space). 


8. Peer Support


Peer support is part of a wholistic service delivery model to support client engagement and foster inclusion and generate hope. 


9.Trauma-Education


  • Educate yourself on the nature of trauma: Have a working understanding of trauma and its effects on the body and mind. Be familiar with the specific types of traumas that are more common among women, such as sexual trauma or domestic violence, workplace harassment and bullying. 


  • Learn about trauma-informed practices: This includes understanding secondary trauma and recognizing the importance of self-care in preventing burnout for yourself as a professional. 



 

Photograph of Daneila Lechet

Daneila Lechet, is a registered social worker in Ontario. Has worked in various roles in

the social service sector. Her foray into social work started as a personal support worker

in the community and clinical setting with people living with complex health conditions

and palliative care, food security, community support worker and case management.


Daneila has worked in the social service sector for ten plus years. She is passionate

about health and wellness from a cultural safety perspective.


She is currently working towards becoming a Psychotherapist and hopes to utilize creativity and movement in her work. When not working she enjoys dancing, and activities with her family and

friends.


 

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As trauma-informed coaches and consultants, we work with people, often parents, navigating high-conflict separations and divorce. We have expertise in addressing gender-based violence, hidden abuse, financial abuse, post-separation abuse, and the transition from parenting to co-parenting.


We look forward to welcoming more guest authors in the future to share their unique insights and expertise. If you're interested in partnering with The Mother Corp. as a guest writer, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to collaborate and contribute to our growing community.


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