Trauma-Informed Care: How It Impacts Performance and Everyday Life
What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
About 70% of adults worldwide will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime (Koenen et al., 2017; WHO, 2024). Trauma isn’t rare. It’s something most of us carry, whether visible or hidden.
Trauma-informed care is a framework designed to shift how we respond. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?” it asks, “What happened to you?” (SAMHSA, 2014). This small change transforms judgment into curiosity and makes resilience possible.
The Lasting Effects of Trauma
Research shows nearly two-thirds of adults report childhood trauma such as abuse, neglect, or unstable home environments (CDC, 2019). These early experiences shape the brain in lasting ways:
The amygdala (fear center) becomes overactive.
The hippocampus (memory processing) can shrink.
The prefrontal cortex (focus and self-control) can go offline under stress (Teicher & Samson, 2016).
For athletes, this may look like freezing in key moments. For professionals, it can show up as emotional shutdowns during high pressure.
Trauma also spans across adulthood — accidents, violence, combat, toxic workplaces — and across generations, shaping families and cultures (Isobel et al., 2019).
Bottom line: Trauma is everywhere. And it influences how people perform, lead, and connect.
Six Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is built on six guiding principles (SAMHSA, 2014):
Safety – People thrive when they feel secure.
Trust & Transparency – Consistency and honesty rebuild trust.
Peer Support – Belonging drives growth (Salter & Breckenridge, 2016).
Collaboration – Shared decision-making fosters buy-in.
Empowerment & Choice – Even small decisions restore control.
Cultural Awareness – Trauma is always shaped by identity and history (Brave Heart et al., 2011).
When ignored, the result is burnout, disengagement, and disconnection.
Real-World Applications of Trauma-Informed Care
These principles come alive in everyday settings:
Healthcare – Nurses explain each step before touching a patient.
Education – Teachers ask what’s going on instead of labeling students as “defiant.”
Sports – Coaches adapt drills to reduce panic instead of pushing harder.
Business – Managers give employees alternative ways to contribute if social anxiety is present.
These aren’t huge changes — just small, intentional shifts that improve trust and performance.
Do’s and Don’ts of Trauma-Informed Care
Do:
Listen without judgment.
Offer choices wherever possible.
Provide safe, consistent environments.
Consider culture and context in every interaction.
Don’t:
Force people to share more than they’re ready.
Minimize or compare their trauma.
Treat healing like a straight line.
Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth
While trauma is real, so is post-traumatic growth. Survivors often develop stronger relationships, deeper purpose, and renewed clarity (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004).
Athletes may return from injury with greater focus.
Professionals may transform burnout into mission-driven leadership.
Trauma-informed care creates the foundation for this growth — making environments safe enough for resilience to emerge.
Final Takeaway
Trauma-informed care isn’t just for therapy rooms. It belongs in boardrooms, locker rooms, classrooms, and families.
It’s not about slogans or buzzwords. It’s about creating real spaces where people feel safe, supported, and empowered — so they can show up and perform at their best.
