Jill Smith & Associates is a Trauma-Informed Practice.
Trauma informed therapy asks, “What happened to you?” rather than, “What is wrong with you?”
This shifts the tone from victim-blaming to recognizing the person as a survivor. Trauma-informed therapy is not a specific modality, rather it is a set of guiding principles that recognizes that trauma can have a devastating effect on a person’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Trauma is a strong, negative, emotional response to a terrible event. Commonly, people think of events like a sexual assault, serious injury or disease, violence, or abuse. However, many other experiences cause trauma. Trauma itself is very common, with studies in the U.S. showing trauma rates at 50-60% in the general population.
Your trauma-informed therapist at Jill Smith & Associates will assume that you have had experiences that may have deeply affected you, and they will respond to you in a way that emphasizes safety, collaboration, and empowerment. We will carefully ask you about any trauma history and we will talk about things–and reprocessing those memories– as you are ready.
Although there is no standard definition of trauma-informed therapy and no national standards or directories, there are some basic practices that have emerged. Your JSA therapist knows them and will follow them:
Safety:
Safety begins at our front door, where privacy is respected. Our offices are welcoming to all people. There is a focus at JSA on the physical and emotional safety of every client, ensuring that they have an understanding of what will happen next and they are seen and important to us.
Choice:
Choice refers to the client having clear control of what happens during your therapy work. Consent is obtained by making sure our client fully understands their rights–which are outlined in the initial paperwork– and can provide continuous consent.
Collaboration:
Collaboration happens when your therapist, rather than acting as the expert, asks the client to share power and make decisions on what treatment goals they would like to work on. They have a significant role as the expert in their care.
Trustworthiness
Trustworthiness means being honest, clear, and consistent, especially with maintaining boundaries. We will never violate your trust.
Cultural, Historical, & Gender Awareness
This integral pillar in trauma-informed care involves appreciating and acknowledging our clients cultural background, experiences, and identities. This entails looking past cultural stereotypes/biases based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, providing gender-affirming care, appreciating the healing value of traditional cultural bonds, and integrating guidelines that are sensitive to the racial, ethnic, and cultural necessities of the people being helped. Intergenerational trauma is acknowledged, named and processed.
Empowerment
You should always feel heard, cared for, and validated by your therapist as they focus on helping you build more coping skills and learn to regulate your emotions and feel more peace.
Trauma Informed Counseling at Jill Smith & Associates is a great place to start if you are struggling with a previous or current trauma. If you have any preferences around your therapist, the times you are available to meet us, or the office location you prefer let us know when you give us a call to request an appointment.
With two convenient locations in Lexington and Columbia we can accommodate new clients quickly to our schedule. At our offices you’ll find a welcome atmosphere with friendly staff and amenities to make your visit with us not only comfortable but a highlight of your week.
Click here to request an appointment at Jill Smith & Associates Counseling today. If you have any further questions about trauma-informed therapy don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email or by calling our reception.