You may have heard the terms “trauma-focused” and “trauma-informed” care; though they sound similar, they are two different approaches to mental health and substance use treatment and therapy.
Trauma-focused care works to understand the impact of specific traumas on a person’s life. It helps them process the traumas and identify ways that they have learned to cope. As the name suggests, it is focused on the traumas themselves.
Trauma-informed care, on the other hand, is not about any one trauma; it is more of an approach than a specific therapy, one which recognizes the impacts trauma has on a person. This method can be used in any setting, even when a person is not directly discussing their trauma. One of the main goals is to avoid retraumatizing the person.
Both of these types of care necessitate a thorough understanding of trauma. However, trauma-focused care is more about treating the specific trauma or traumas; trauma-informed care is an awareness of how trauma impacts all aspects of life.
If you are struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder, there is help and hope. TruHealing Centers offers high-quality treatment for addiction and mental health disorders in facilities across the country. We understand the significant role that trauma plays in addiction, so all of our care is trauma-informed. Our staff—many of whom are sober themselves—will help you build lasting recovery. To learn more, call an admissions specialist at 410-593-0005.