Drawing from two decades of research and practice, my trauma-informed approach means:
Recognizing the spectrum of trauma: Traumatic experiences — visible and invisible, personal and collective — are common. Their effects can show up in attention, decision-making, trust, and engagement at work.
Foundational principles: Building on national models like those from SAMHSA, trauma-informed communication is grounded in:
Psychological safety
Trustworthiness and transparency
Collaboration and voice
Empowerment and inclusion
Recognition of cultural, historical, and gender issues
Beyond crisis response: It’s not about what’s happened “out there”— it's about equipping your workplace to communicate thoughtfully, regardless of what people are carrying with them.
Trauma-informed COMMUNICATION is about more than words…
It’s about creating reliable structures, clear expectations, and communications that foster a culture where everyone can focus and contribute. In practice, that means communications aren’t just readable — they’re relevant, repeatable, and respectful of the real world your employees inhabit.