Trauma-Informed Approach

A trauma-informed approach can be implemented in any type of service setting or organization and is distinct from trauma-specific interventions or treatments that are designed specifically to address the consequences of trauma and to facilitate healing.

Six Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach

A trauma-informed approach reflects adherence to six key principles rather than a prescribed set of practices or procedures. These principles may be generalizable across multiple types of settings, although terminology and application may be setting- or sector-specific:

Safety
Trustworthiness and Transparency
Peer support
Collaboration and Mutuality
Empowerment, Voice and Choice
Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues

From our perspective, it is critical to promote the linkage to recovery and resilience for those individuals and families impacted by trauma. In fostering recovery, services and supports that are trauma-informed build on the best evidence available and individual and family engagement, empowerment, and collaboration.

Trauma-Specific Interventions

Trauma-specific intervention programs generally recognize the following:

The survivor’s need to be respected, informed, connected, and hopeful regarding their own recovery
The interrelation between trauma and symptoms of trauma such as substance abuse, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety
The need to work in a collaborative way with survivors, family and friends of the survivor, and other human services agencies in a manner that will empower survivors and consumers

Anchored Relational Model

OVERVIEW

The Anchored Relational (formerly AIR Network) Model is primarily oriented towards giving people the freedom to engage fully with themselves and in relationships with others. People traumatized across multiple dimensions; familial, cultural, societal, and historical are seen in the context of their strengths and vulnerabilities, embedded in systems of oppression and control as well as privilege and resource. Stepping out of harmful relationships and systems of power and control into paradigms of integrity, dignity, and freedom, defined by individuals and communities, puts whole people at the center of their stories. Understanding neurology, development, dignity, resilience, and vulnerability inherent in all human beings facilitates stepping free from trauma to find one’s center, supporting life giving actions in line with values. The advanced resourcing and interventions taught are consistent with strengthening a person’s multi-directional attention which underlies the ability to manage neuro-dissociative states, regulate emotionally and physically, reduce c-PTSD symptoms and build compassionate relationships internally and externally.

Therapeutic Relational Stance

Clients who live with complex neuro-dissociative states, a developmental-neurological organization of experience, have additional relational and therapeutic needs than those who have trauma histories without more complex types of dissociation. When working with these more complexly organized clients, Adaptive Internal Relational Networks, need to be built and solidified over time. Interactive Present Awareness/Most Resourced Self is a critical piece of the Adaptive Internal Relational Network that must be developed for healing to occur. Most of the Anchored Resourcing Strategies initially focus on building clients’ abilities to develop and present awareness where there is at least a neutral noticing. Overtime these internal relationships move towards more cooperation and caring and building eventually towards acceptance and non-judgement, which allow them to also connect both internally and externally without violating themselves or others. The relational framework holds the truth that adults can be both connected and separate from others at the same time through Relational Autonomy and Relational Cohesion, which is built initially internally.

The Arc of Therapy

Phase One
Creating Context and Resource Stabilization

First, context is created by teaching clients about the neurology of trauma and the components of the Anchored Relational (formerly AIR Network) model. During this first phase we focus on client resilience, competence and understanding of their core survival strategies. The concept of Interactive Present Awareness/Most Resourced Self becomes a central part of how we help clients to interact with themselves and the therapist during sessions. Throughout this phase we help the client differentiate and label P/parts, memory and programming/conditioning, which increases internal safety. Containment of memories away from parts is a primary tool of this phase. Assessment of existing adaptive networks is also ongoing. A detailed history of what created the complex dissociative states may or may not be gathered at this point based on a client’s abilities to stay present and stable while talking about traumatic experiences or childhood memories.

Phase Two
Developing Networks and Anchored Resourcing

Strengthening clients’ abilities to build Adaptive Internal Relational Networks and Anchor Resourcing are the primary focus of the second Phase. Adaptive Internal Relational Networks are neurological structures and relational systems that allow a client to be in a present oriented relationship with all of who they are at any given time. A physiological state of awareness and cognitive alertness is a crucial component to building Adaptive Internal Relational networks. The Interactive Present Awareness standing in ‘real time’ works with the Adaptive Internal Relational Networks in a fluid and dynamic system that is always moving and always changing. This intentional weaving together of the Interactive Present Awareness and the Adaptive Internal Relational Networks is foundational to clients’ sense of competency and mastery in their own healing and recovery.

Phase Three
Future Resilience and/or Memory Processing

Clients may or may not choose to do memory work. Some people are able to keep memories contained without intrusions into daily life. Some choose working with memories at a later time.

Clients’ owning this decision further enhances a framework of free will and choice. Positive experiences of self are reinforced through Anchored Resourcing Strategies as a component of Future Resilience.