How Trauma Informed Care Helps the People We Serve
Trauma Informed Care (TIC) plays a role in everything we do at Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS). We also use tools such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and programs like DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) to assist those who have been exposed to severe trauma.
First, let’s talk about what TIC is. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines the Trauma-Informed approach as, “A program, organization, or system that realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices, while seeking to actively resist retraumatization.”
Cindi Crew is the GCBHS Director of Integrated Counseling Services and has been with our
organization for over 29 years. She understands why using this approach is important to the work that we do and says, “Trauma Informed Care recognizes that a person’s past experiences can shape how they feel, think, and respond. By creating a safe, trusting and understanding environment, we can support healing without causing further harm.”
Although Trauma-Informed Care is key to all the services that GCBHS provides, some programs use specific tools to assist young people who have been subjected to severe trauma. These include, but aren’t limited to, School-Based Services, Parents and Children Together (PACT), and Transition to Independence Process (TIP). You can learn more about these programs and how they utilize Trauma Informed Care tools,
