How can you build relationships with stakeholders who have experienced trauma?

1 What is trauma-informed practice?

Trauma-informed practice is an approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on people's lives and responds with empathy, respect, and safety to avoid re-traumatizing them. It is not a specific intervention or technique, but rather a set of principles and values that guide how you interact with stakeholders who have experienced trauma. These key principles include understanding trauma and its effects, creating a safe and supportive environment, building trust and rapport, empowering and collaborating with stakeholders, respecting diversity and cultural competence, and supporting resilience and coping skills. Trauma-informed practice aims to promote healing and recovery.

2 How to understand trauma and its effects?

It is essential to understand what trauma is and how it affects people when trying to build relationships with stakeholders who have experienced trauma. Trauma is a reaction to an event or situation that a person cannot manage. It can be caused by a single event, like abuse, violence, or a natural disaster, or by multiple or chronic events like poverty, discrimination, or neglect. The effects of trauma vary depending on the age, personality, culture, and resources of the person. Common effects of trauma include emotional distress such as anxiety and depression; cognitive difficulties like memory loss and difficulty concentrating; behavioral changes such as withdrawal or aggression; physical symptoms such as headaches or fatigue; and relational problems like isolation or attachment issues.

3 How to create a safe and supportive environment?

Creating a safe and supportive environment is an essential step to build relationships with stakeholders who have experienced trauma. This type of environment minimizes the risk of triggering or re-traumatizing people and maximizes the chances for positive and meaningful interactions. Establishing clear boundaries and expectations, providing choices and options, communicating openly and transparently, listening actively and empathically, expressing appreciation and recognition, providing feedback and encouragement, and addressing conflicts and concerns respectfully are some of the ways to create a safe and supportive environment.

4 How to build trust and rapport?

Establishing relationships with stakeholders who have experienced trauma is essential, as trust and rapport are the foundation of any successful relationship. Building trust and rapport takes time, patience, and consistency, and some of the ways to do this are by showing genuine interest and curiosity, asking open-ended and strength-based questions, sharing relevant and appropriate information about yourself, respecting privacy and confidentiality, honoring commitments and promises, apologizing for mistakes, and following up regularly.

6 How to respect diversity and cultural competence?

Respecting diversity and cultural competence is an essential step to build relationships with stakeholders who have experienced trauma. This means understanding and valuing the diversity of backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives of stakeholders, and adapting your practice to meet their unique needs. Respecting diversity and cultural competence can help you avoid stereotypes, biases, and assumptions, while fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion. To do this, you should learn about the cultural and historical context of trauma, ask about and honor the cultural and personal values and beliefs of stakeholders, use culturally appropriate language and communication styles, seek feedback from cultural experts and mentors, acknowledge power differences, remain open-minded and flexible, and continue your own cultural learning.