What Can I Expect from Trauma-Informed Care?

Trauma is more common than many people may realize. Whether it stems from a single incident or ongoing stress, trauma can have lasting effects on a person’s emotional and physical well-being. From childhood adversity and accidents to combat, abuse, or witnessing violence, the causes of trauma vary widely, but the impact is deeply personal.

The good news is that help is available. Trauma-informed care can be a vital part of healing. Understanding what trauma-informed care looks like can make seeking treatment less intimidating and more empowering.

Symptoms of Trauma

Trauma affects people in many different ways. Some individuals might experience symptoms soon after a distressing event, while others may not notice the effects until weeks, months, or even years later. The intensity and type of symptoms often depend on the nature of the trauma, personal history, and individual resilience factors.

Factors That Influence Trauma Symptoms

• Type and duration of the trauma
• Age at the time of the traumatic event
• Previous exposure to trauma
• Access to social support
• Pre-existing mental health conditions

Two common trauma-related disorders are acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While both involve similar symptoms, ASD typically develops within a month of a traumatic event and lasts a few weeks, while PTSD persists longer and may develop months or even years after the trauma.

Emotional Symptoms of Trauma

• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Depression or emotional numbness
• Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
• Nightmares or difficulty sleeping
• Irritability, anger, or mood swings
• Feeling detached or disconnected from reality

Physical Symptoms of Trauma

• Fatigue and low energy
• Rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath
• Muscle tension or chronic pain
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Headaches or dizziness
• Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns

Recognizing these symptoms is the first step toward seeking effective care. Trauma-informed treatment helps individuals feel safe, understood, and supported throughout the healing process.

Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-informed care is an approach to treatment that acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma and understands the paths to recovery. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, trauma-informed care asks, “What happened to you?” instead of “What’s wrong with you?”

This approach is grounded in several key principles:

• Safety: Creating a physically and emotionally safe environment
• Trustworthiness and transparency: Building trust through clear communication
• Peer support: Integrating peer voices to promote recovery
• Collaboration and empowerment: Involving clients in their own treatment decisions
• Cultural, historical, and gender sensitivity: Recognizing the impact of identity and experience on healing

The goal of trauma-informed care is to avoid re-traumatization, provide compassionate support, and empower individuals to reclaim control of their lives.

Trauma-Informed Care at Jackson House

At Jackson House, we understand the complexity of trauma and are committed to providing care that is both compassionate and individualized. Our trauma-informed treatment program is designed to support the unique needs of each client in a safe, respectful environment.

We offer trauma-informed care as part of our mental health and addiction recovery services, helping clients recover not only from trauma but also from the issues it often fuels, such as anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders.

Evidence-Based Modalities

Our trauma-informed care includes evidence-based treatment modalities such as:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): To help clients recognize the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to make small changes to improve well-being
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): For supporting mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to manage intense emotions
• Motivational Interviewing Group: Guides clients in exploring internal motivation and resolving ambivalence to support meaningful personal change
• Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP): Empowers clients to create personalized plans using their strengths and learned tools to manage future challenges
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages clients to accept their emotions and build mental flexibility for moving forward in life
• Aftercare Services: Offers 60 days of continued support post-treatment to help individuals transition back home and navigate challenges
• Trauma-Informed Therapy: Provides specialized care for processing trauma with techniques that promote coping, healing, and restoring control
• SMART Recovery: A science-based program that builds motivation, reduces cravings, and helps clients live balanced lives free from addictive behaviors
• 12-Step Program: Offers a peer-supported, abstinence-based framework for long-term recovery from addiction through structured principles and fellowship

Structure, Duration, and Accommodations

Jackson House offers a structured yet nurturing environment across several Southern California and Oregon locations. Whether clients enter a residential program, partial-hospitalization, or intensive outpatient program, they receive consistent support tailored to their recovery goals.

Accommodations include:

• Safe, homelike settings
• 24/7 clinical support
• Personalized treatment plans
• Holistic care options like mindfulness, nutrition, and movement-based therapies
• Family education and involvement

Benefits of Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-informed care isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s about long-term recovery and growth. When individuals receive treatment that acknowledges the root causes of their struggles, the outcomes are often more effective and sustainable.

Short-Term Benefits

• A greater sense of safety and emotional stability
• Reduction in symptoms like flashbacks, insomnia, or anxiety
• Stronger therapeutic relationships and trust in care providers
• Better coping mechanisms for stress and triggers

Long-Term Benefits

• Improved emotional resilience and self-awareness
• Strengthened relationships with family and peers
• Enhanced ability to set goals and maintain responsibilities
• Lower risk of relapse in co-occurring substance use or mental health conditions
• Empowerment to lead a more fulfilling, independent life

Trauma-informed care also helps individuals reclaim their identity, understand that they are not defined by what happened to them, and feel hopeful about the future.

Compassionate, Personalized Trauma-Informed Care

Jackson House is positioned to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care in a supportive, healing environment. Our team is dedicated to helping each client build a life beyond trauma—a life that includes resilience, growth, and empowerment.

Your healing journey matters. Let us help you move forward. Contact Jackson House today to learn more.