An approach to wellness practices that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and integrates knowledge about trauma into all aspects of programming. Trauma-informed wellness prioritizes safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Trauma-informed wellness applies the principles of trauma-informed care to personal development and wellness practices. Rather than requiring individuals to disclose or directly address trauma, a trauma-informed approach recognizes that trauma is pervasive and designs all practices to be safe and accessible for trauma survivors, even if their history is unknown.
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) identifies six key principles of trauma-informed care: safety, trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment and choice, and attention to cultural, historical, and gender issues. When applied to wellness programming, these principles mean offering choices rather than mandating specific practices, providing clear information about what to expect, respecting boundaries, and creating environments that promote a felt sense of safety.
Bessel van der Kolk's work, particularly his book 'The Body Keeps the Score,' has been influential in demonstrating how trauma is stored in the body and why body-based approaches are essential for trauma recovery. David Treleaven's work on trauma-sensitive mindfulness has highlighted how even beneficial practices like meditation can inadvertently retraumatize individuals if not offered with trauma awareness. Trauma-informed wellness does not require practitioners to be trauma therapists but to understand enough about trauma to avoid causing harm.
A trauma-informed practice prioritizes physical and emotional safety, offers choice and control to participants, provides clear information about what to expect, avoids unexpected physical contact or intense emotional provocation, and creates an environment where individuals feel empowered rather than pressured.
Trauma is far more common than many people realize. Without trauma awareness, well-intentioned wellness practices can inadvertently trigger trauma responses. Trauma-informed approaches ensure that wellness practices are safe and beneficial for the widest possible range of people, including those with trauma histories.
For some trauma survivors, certain meditation practices, particularly those involving closed eyes, stillness, or deep internal focus, can trigger flashbacks, dissociation, or overwhelming emotions. David Treleaven's work on trauma-sensitive mindfulness offers modifications such as keeping eyes open, maintaining external awareness, and emphasizing choice and grounding.
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