Trauma-informed care in therapy is more than a label—it’s a foundation for how healing truly begins.
At Alfrey & Pruitt Counseling, we believe that every person deserves to feel safe, respected, and understood. That’s why trauma-informed care isn’t just something we talk about—it shapes everything we do. But what does that actually look like in the therapy room? Whether you’re a potential client, a parent, or a referral partner, here’s how our approach honors lived experience, supports emotional safety, and fosters healing at your pace.
What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization. It’s rooted in six core principles identified by SAMHSA:
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Safety
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Trustworthiness and Transparency
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Peer Support
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Collaboration and Mutuality
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Empowerment, Voice, and Choice
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Cultural, Historical, and Gender Responsiveness
In practice, this means we acknowledge that many clients walk through our doors carrying invisible wounds. You might be navigating anxiety, shutdowns, people-pleasing, or even physical symptoms—without realizing these are responses to past trauma. A trauma-informed therapist doesn’t pathologize those responses; we help you understand them, and reclaim your story.
How Trauma-Informed Therapy Looks in Practice
🛡️ We Start with Safety
We create environments—both in-person and online—that promote a felt sense of safety. That includes things like clear communication, honoring your privacy, and never pushing you to share more than you’re ready for.
You set the pace. We hold the space.
🤝 We Honor Autonomy & Choice
Trauma-informed care means collaboration, not hierarchy. You’re not just a passive recipient—we co-create your therapy experience. That includes:
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Discussing goals together
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Letting you guide the pace of trauma work
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Offering options for EMDR, play therapy, or talk therapy without pressure
➡️ Explore EMDR and trauma recovery
🧠 We Don’t Pathologize Coping
Your coping mechanisms—whether it’s shutting down, overachieving, or avoiding—likely served an important purpose at one point. We don’t shame them. We understand them. And together, we help you build new ways of responding when you’re ready.
💬 We Build Relationships First
Trust is a vital part of the healing process. Before we dive into trauma content, we focus on helping you feel safe, supported, and understood.
Therapy is a relationship—and in trauma-informed care, it’s one built on respect and repair.
➡️ Meet our team of trauma-informed therapists
🌎 We Support the Whole Person
We recognize that trauma doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s often influenced by systemic, cultural, or generational factors. That’s why we take an intersectional lens, offering affirming care that’s responsive to your identity, history, and experiences.
➡️ Read: What Makes a Therapist LGBTQ+ Affirming
How Clients Know They’re Receiving Trauma-Informed Care
You don’t need a clinical checklist to recognize trauma-informed care—you’ll feel it.
Here are some signs:
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You don’t feel rushed or judged
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You’re allowed to say “no” in session
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Your therapist explains things clearly and transparently
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You feel emotionally safe, even when therapy is hard
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You feel like a collaborator, not a diagnosis
Why This Matters to Referral Sources
If you’re a medical provider, school counselor, or social worker, you want to refer your clients to therapists who won’t inadvertently retraumatize them. Trauma-informed therapy improves engagement, reduces dropout rates, and supports better long-term outcomes. At Alfrey & Pruitt Counseling, we also provide regular updates (with client consent) and believe in collaborative care.
➡️ Refer a client or learn about our specializations
Ready to Learn More?
Whether you’re considering therapy for yourself or referring someone you care about, trauma-informed care creates the foundation for real healing.
📍 Meet our team
📞 Book a session
📘 Explore our EMDR services
