Unit 1: 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 Overview:
Beginning Unit 1 of the Advanced Skill Series “Trauma-Informed Practices,” we focus on the fundamentals of trauma-informed care. This approach helps healthcare professionals understand how trauma influences a person’s health, behavior, and medical experiences. It examines what trauma is, how common it is among patients, and why identifying its effects is crucial for delivering compassionate and effective care. The article discusses the body’s natural trauma responses, how trauma can impact patient engagement and treatment compliance, and the six core principles of trauma-informed care. By adopting an approach rooted in safety, trust, and empathy, providers are able to create care environments that promote 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
