Trauma-Informed Communication: Creating Spaces of Healing

Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma on individuals and strives to create a safe and supportive environment for healing. Nurses play a vital role with patients. How a nurse communicates with a patient or family member sets the tempo for the level of trust, engagement, and perception of safety.

One key aspect of trauma-informed care is the use of trauma-informed language, which can help build trust, reduce re-traumatization, and foster a sense of safety and empowerment in patients.

Trauma can have a lasting impact on an individual's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. All patients have experienced or are experiencing trauma at various points in their lives. Certain words or phrases may trigger painful memories, feelings of shame, or a sense of powerlessness. Through the use of trauma-informed language, nurses can create a more nurturing and empathetic care environment that promotes healing and resilience.

Five Tips for Using Trauma-Informed Language:

1. Practice Active Listening: Listen to your patients with compassion and empathy. Pay attention to their nonverbal cues and validate their experiences without judgment. Many times, a patient is simply looking for a moment to share the burden they are living with currently. 

2. Use Empowering Language: Encourage patients to express their needs and preferences. Offer choices whenever possible and acknowledge their strengths and resilience. 

3. Avoid Triggers: Be mindful of language that may trigger traumatic memories or emotions. By focusing on kindness, compassion, and non-judgement, wording can help to avoid the appearance of making assumptions or asking questions in a way that feels intrusive to the patient.

4. Offer Safety and Support: Creating a supportive environment can allow patients to offer information that may bring up feelings of vulnerability and fear. Use calming and reassuring language to help them feel secure and respected. 

5. Practice Self-Care: Remember to prioritize your own well-being and seek support if you feel overwhelmed or triggered by a patient's trauma. Self-care is essential for maintaining your resilience and compassion as a nurse. Practicing self-care regularly allows you to recognize your own moments of reactivity and empowers you to engage in practices that soothe the nervous system. 

Trauma-informed language is a powerful tool for nurses to support patients on their healing journey. By practicing active listening, using empowering language, and creating a safe and supportive environment, nurses can foster trust, empathy, and resilience in their patients.

Incorporating trauma-informed language into your practice can help promote healing, reduce re-traumatization, and build stronger connections with those in your care. Not only does this create a more compassionate and trauma-sensitive healthcare system that uplifts and empowers all individuals on their path to recovery it is also incredibly useful in interactions with coworkers, family, and friends. 

Want to learn more? Sign up for the free workshop at www.evazeewellness.com/workshop. Nursing continuing education hours are available for LPN, RN, and APRN.