Trauma- and Violence-Informed Care

As we learned in Applied Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, trauma is a transdiagnostic risk factor that can contribute to the development of various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress, and substance use disorders (Cloitre, Garvert, Brewin, Bryant, & Maercker, 2013).

A trauma- and violence-informed care approach recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals and seeks to provide care that is respectful, compassionate, and empowering. This approach acknowledges that individuals who have experienced trauma may have unique needs, such as safety and trust which must be addressed to facilitate healing. As a result, applying a trauma- and violence-informed care approach is crucial for psychedelic-assisted therapy given that there is a high likelihood that most clients will have some form of trauma–regardless of whether they are aware of it or not.

Note

Due to the nature of this topic, some may find this module activating. We encourage you to take breaks as much as you need as you work through this content. Please reach out to if you need support.

Health Professional Tip

How can I best embody a trauma- and violence-informed approach to the sessions with clients?

Prior to the sessions:

  • Look for opportunities to practice and embody:
    • Agapic love
    • Empathetic abiding presence
    • Being grounded, self-regulated, aligned

During the sessions:

  • Be grounded, self-regulated, and aligned (self-monitor and consciously moderate your nervous system and emotional state)
  • Support the client’s inner-directed therapy (relax into the uncertainty of what’s unfolding)
  • Embody unconditional positive regard (recognize the client’s inherent human worth regardless of their values and actions to support them as they are)
  • Demonstrate agapic love (altruistic and selfless love)
  • Embody empathetic abiding presence (mindfulness, empathetic listening, responding to distress with calmness and equanimity)

Challenging Moments

As you know, one of the characteristics of the Numinus therapeutic stance is an appreciation for human suffering. This appreciation for human suffering is the belief that suffering is part of the human experience.

Challenging moments and suffering can be part of the healing process. When you’re observing Preparation, Medicine, and Integration Sessions, you may observe that the lead therapist doesn’t intervene when a client is having a challenging moment. Not all challenging moments require an intervention. In this way, the lead therapist is supporting inner-directed therapy and the client’s inner healing process.

Note

For many clients accessing psychedelic-assisted therapy, these sessions may be a last-resort treatment option for them. For example, in Canada, psilocybin-assisted therapy and MDMA-assisted therapy can only be accessed through Health Canada’s special access programme where it is a requirement that the applicant demonstrate that all other treatment options have been exhausted. Other jurisdictions outside of Canada may have similar requirements. Please keep this in mind when you are observing clients.

Remember that you are part of the client’s setting by simply being in the room. Please ensure that you hold space and are respectful of the client’s journey (both past, present, and future).

References

Cloitre, M., Garvert, D. W., Brewin, C. R., Bryant, R. A., & Maercker, A. (2013). Evidence for proposed ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD: A latent profile analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 4(1), 20706.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach.