Trauma Informed Care Foundations
Course Objectives
- Define trauma and explain its short and long term effects on physical and emotional health.
- Recognize how trauma can influence patient behavior, trust, and participation in healthcare.
- Identify and describe the body’s four primary trauma responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn.
- Summarize the six core principles of trauma informed care and their role in building patient safety and trust.
- Apply trauma informed strategies within healthcare settings to promote healing, engagement, and overall better outcomes.
Course Content
Course Creator: Adriana Alley CMA
Total CE Hours: 1 Credit Hour
Pace Course #: 586-2125-25
Course Description:
Trauma-Informed Care enables healthcare professionals to understand how trauma can impact a person’s health, behavior, and experience within medical settings. It takes a closer look at what trauma is, how common it is among patients, and why recognizing its effects is essential to providing compassionate, effective care. This article outlines the body’s natural trauma responses, explores how trauma can affect patient engagement and treatment adherence, and highlights the six core principles of trauma-informed care. By learning to approach patients with a sense of safety, trust, and empathy, providers are able to create care environments that support healing.
References
- Trauma and violence - What is trauma and its effects? (n.d.). https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/trauma-violence
- Blanchard, B. E., Bluett, E. J., Johnson, M., Zimberoff, A., & Fortney, J. C. (2024). Trauma exposure correlates among patients receiving care in federally qualified health centers. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 37(6), 864–876. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23055
- What is Trauma-Informed Care? - Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center. (2022, July 7). Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center. https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/
- MSc, O. G. (2025, June 23). Fight, flight, freeze, or fawn: How we respond to threats. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/fight-flight-freeze-fawn.html
- Treatment, C. F. S. A. (2014). Understanding the impact of trauma. Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/
- Trauma-Informed Approaches and Programs. (n.d.). https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/trauma-violence/trauma-informed-approaches-programs
