No matter what the presenting issue might be, most of our clients have a trauma history, which we must take into consideration to best serve them. In this workshop, we will explore the ethical considerations inherent in trauma-informed care, a framework that recognizes and responds to the pervasive impact of trauma on individuals. Participants will gain insights into the core principles of trauma-informed practice, including safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. This workshop will also address the ethical challenges associated with maintaining professional boundaries while fostering a therapeutic alliance rooted in empathy and understanding. Participants will explore strategies for managing countertransference and maintaining self-care to prevent burnout, which is particularly important in trauma-focused work. By the end of the workshop, you will have a deeper understanding of how to integrate ethical considerations into a trauma-informed practice, ultimately enhancing your ability to support and empower clients on their healing journeys.

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe the components of an ethical trauma-informed practice
• Recognize how to best serve their clients who have a trauma history
• Formulate a plan to ensure that clients feel safe during the therapy session
• Apply a series of steps to minimize client triggering during session