At some point in life, most of us experience something deeply distressing—loss, abuse, mental health struggles, violence, neglect, or chronic stress. Given the high prevalence of trauma, it is essential to recognize its widespread impact on individuals and communities. These traumatic events can leave lasting imprints on how we think, feel, relate to others, and even how our bodies function. For many, traditional models of mental health services aren’t enough to support healing. That’s where trauma-informed care makes a difference.
Trauma-informed mental health care is more than a therapy technique; it’s a philosophy, a mindset, and a commitment to creating a supportive environment. Recognizing trauma histories is crucial for providing effective behavioral health services, as many trauma survivors may not connect their prior traumatic experiences to current symptoms.
At Active Path in Salem, this trauma-informed philosophy is embedded in every interaction, from the moment a client walks through the door to every step of treatment planning.
In this blog, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of what trauma-informed care (TIC) means, why it matters, and how Active Path is leading the way in providing this essential, compassionate, holistic approach in Salem.
Discover how trauma-informed care can change your life—contact Active Path in Salem or call 503.832.4861 to get started.
What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-informed care starts with a simple premise: trauma is more common than we think, and it has a widespread impact on a person’s mind, body, and sense of self. A TIC approach understands how trauma affects both physical and mental health, and it promotes safe, empowering practices across all organizational levels. This approach represents a crucial paradigm shift from asking, ‘What is wrong with you?’ to ‘What happened to you?’
Defining Trauma
Trauma refers to an emotional response to a deeply disturbing or traumatic event or series of events. This might include sexual abuse, emotional neglect, substance abuse, mental health crises, police officers’ line-of-duty experiences, or historical trauma. Even experiences that seem less intense—like chronic stress, vicarious trauma, poverty, or housing instability—can result in traumatic stress symptoms.
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study found that nearly two-thirds of the general population have experienced trauma during childhood. Without support, these early experiences can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder and other adverse effects in adulthood.
The Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
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Developed in response to growing research on the long-term effects of trauma, trauma-informed care is built on five key principles. Trauma-informed practices prioritize understanding trauma’s impact on individuals and emphasize empowerment, collaboration, and safety measures to create a supportive environment for trauma survivors, ultimately aiming to enhance engagement and treatment outcomes:
- Safety: Physical and emotional safety come first. This includes the therapy environment and every interaction.
- Trustworthiness and Transparency: Providers are open and honest, building trust through consistency and respect.
- Peer Support and Collaboration: Clients are seen as partners in their care. Their voices matter.
- Empowerment and Choice: Clients are supported in making their own decisions and regaining control over their lives.
- Cultural, Historical, and Gender Sensitivity: Care is respectful of each person’s background, identity, and experiences.
Effective trauma-informed care requires the integration of these principles across all service systems to ensure a comprehensive approach to healing.
Trauma-informed care doesn’t assume “What’s wrong with you?” Instead, it asks, “What happened to you—and how can we help you heal?”
Why Trauma-Informed Care Matters
Trauma can impact every part of a person’s life: sleep, memory, relationships, health, and the ability to trust others. The impact of trauma can ripple outwards, affecting not only survivors but also their social circles and communities. Individuals who have experienced trauma face a greater risk for various negative outcomes, including health conditions and social challenges. Without the right support, many people internalize their experiences, struggle in silence, or feel retraumatized by systems that are supposed to help.
The Cost of Ignoring Trauma
- Emotional Effects: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, emotional dysregulation, and suicidal thoughts are often linked to unresolved trauma. Mental health professionals may also experience compassion fatigue, which can impair their ability to provide effective care and lead to burnout.
- Physical Health: Chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and heart disease have all been connected to prolonged stress and trauma.
- Behavioral Issues: Trauma can increase the risk of substance use, self-harm, and risky behavior.
- Barriers to Care: Many trauma survivors avoid medical or mental health services due to fear, mistrust, or previous negative experiences.
In short, trauma-informed care is not optional—it’s necessary to prevent further harm and provide effective, compassionate mental health treatment.
How Active Path Applies Trauma-Informed Care in Salem
At Active Path, trauma-informed care isn’t a buzzword. It’s a foundational philosophy that informs every step of the client journey. As a trauma-informed organization, we integrate trauma-informed values at every level, promoting staff education, administrative support, and the adoption of best practices to ensure equitable and effective responses to trauma-related issues among clients. Health care providers at Active Path are trained to implement trauma-informed practices to create a supportive environment for all clients. Here’s how we apply these principles in practice:
1. A Safe and Welcoming Environment
From the front desk to the therapy room, Active Path prioritizes safety. Our Salem location is designed to feel calm, non-clinical, and welcoming. Creating a supportive environment is essential for allowing healing to begin. Clients are greeted with warmth and kindness, not judgment or pressure. This sense of safety allows healing to begin. This approach enhances patient engagement by making clients feel valued and understood.
2. Empowering the Client from the Start
The intake process is collaborative and client-centered. We honor each person’s autonomy, always asking for consent before gathering information or discussing difficult topics. Clients are encouraged to share at their own pace. Mental health providers at Active Path are committed to supporting client autonomy and building trust from the very beginning.
Shared decision-making is a key aspect of building trust and ensuring client autonomy. Rather than jumping into treatment plans, we first focus on building trust, recognizing that safety and rapport must come before any clinical intervention.
3. A Compassionate Approach to TMS and Therapy
Active Path offers both Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and talk therapy services. Whether you’re pursuing TMS for depression or meeting with a therapist, the experience is grounded in respect, transparency, and care.
Our clinicians are trained to recognize signs of trauma exposure and to respond without judgment. We don’t rush. We don’t push. We listen. Our approach is designed to avoid re-traumatization by ensuring that all interactions are respectful and considerate of the client’s trauma history.
For clients undergoing TMS, we offer detailed walkthroughs of the process, ensure consent is informed, and check in regularly to adjust treatment based on comfort and response.
4. Clinician Training and Cultural Awareness
All staff at Active Path receive training in trauma-informed care, and many bring experience in specific trauma modalities, such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for trauma
- Mindfulness-based interventions
- EMDR referrals (when needed)
- Somatic and body-based approaches
Medical professionals at Active Path are also trained in trauma-informed care to ensure a holistic approach to treatment.
We also recognize the importance of cultural humility: being aware of the ways race, gender, identity, socioeconomic background, and cultural background affect how trauma is experienced and expressed.
5. Creating Space for All Stories
Active Path welcomes clients from all walks of life, including veterans, survivors of abuse, first responders, and individuals navigating grief, identity shifts, or childhood trauma. We recognize that many of our clients have experienced trauma, which significantly influences their behaviors and coping mechanisms. We also recognize the importance of addressing biases related to sexual orientation to create a truly inclusive environment.
We don’t label. We don’t make assumptions. Instead, we co-create a plan that works for your unique story, strengths, and needs.
The Client Experience: What Trauma-Informed Care Feels Like
So what does this actually look like for clients?
Meet “Alex”: Alex, a 36-year-old teacher, comes to Active Path after years of struggling with depression and panic attacks. At previous clinics, they felt rushed, misunderstood, and even retraumatized by invasive questions. Previous negative experiences can be re-traumatizing, making it crucial to create a safe and supportive environment for clients.
At Active Path, Alex is welcomed with a soft tone and a warm smile. The intake coordinator asks, “Is there anything we can do to make this visit more comfortable for you?” They’re not expected to “spill everything” on the first day. Instead, they’re given options, choices, and time to build trust. This approach benefits many patients by providing a supportive and understanding environment.
Over the next few months, Alex starts TMS and weekly therapy. Both are delivered with patience, care, and sensitivity to Alex’s trauma history. Alex begins to feel hopeful for the first time in years.
Is Trauma-Informed Care Right for You?
If you’ve ever left a provider’s office feeling worse than when you walked in, or felt judged, dismissed, or invisible, a trauma-informed approach may be what you’ve been looking for. Trauma-informed care may include trauma-specific services designed to address the unique needs of individuals with a history of trauma.
You Might Benefit from Trauma-Informed Care If:
- You’ve experienced abuse, neglect, or major loss
- You struggle with trust, boundaries, or emotional regulation
- You feel overwhelmed or anxious in healthcare settings
- You want a therapeutic relationship rooted in respect and empowerment
Questions to Ask When Seeking a Provider:
- How do mental health professionals create safety for trauma survivors?
- Are your clinicians trained in trauma-informed care?
- How do you support clients who feel triggered or overwhelmed?
- Do you offer choices and input in the treatment plan?
Healing Starts with Feeling Safe
Healing from trauma isn’t about “getting over it”—it’s about feeling seen, heard, and supported in the process. At Active Path in Salem, trauma-informed care is at the heart of everything we do. We know that with the right environment and support, healing is not only possible, it’s powerful. Implementing trauma-informed care can also reduce staff turnover by creating a supportive work environment.
As a trauma-informed organization, Active Path is committed to integrating trauma-informed values into all levels of our practice, ensuring that your well-being is always prioritized. If you’re ready to begin your path to recovery in a place where your story is honored and your well-being is prioritized, Active Path is here for you.
Experience care that honors your story. Call 503.832.4861 or schedule your first appointment with Active Path in Salem today.
