Kimberly Johnson, PhD, LMHCD

People often think of trauma and grief as separate experiences; trauma associated with fear, overwhelm, danger, or survival, and grief more situated in sadness and loss.

Trauma-informed work is not defined by a single intervention or therapeutic model. It is an orientation toward understanding how experiences shape emotional functioning, relationships, coping patterns, nervous system responses, identity, meaning-making, and a person’s sense of safety in the world.

A trauma-informed therapeutic environment prioritizes emotional and relational safety. Clients should not feel pressured to disclose painful experiences before trust has developed.