Introduction

Following the publication of Inclusion’s Trauma-Informed Practice Guidance, our services are committed to embed the principles. In this article, Emmanuela, a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner at our West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic, discusses her experiences while adapting to working in a trauma-informed way.

Working in a trauma-informed way

This story is about all the clients that I have interacted with over the last few months, and how they have made me reflect on the importance of having a trauma-informed practice in place during services that can provide holistic care. Thus, promoting a better recovery outcome.

As a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner for Inclusion’s West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic, I work with individuals whose mental health is impacted by gambling harms, or vice versa. Through listening and engaging with each one’s story, the re-occurring denominator has been mainly emotional trauma. This is often due to either childhood adversity, relational issues, life circumstances, lack of adequate support or isolation.

A vivid experience of using trauma-informed practice within care is one that occurred when I was due to discharge a client, and before the discharge could take effect, the client had a sudden bereavement. Having a trauma-informed approach to my work enabled me to foresee what could happen to the client if left them without any support. The first time I saw them after their loss, I could see the pain and fear in their eyes.

Growing up, they had experienced rejection and abandonment, and continuing with my initial plan would have caused more harm than good. Our follow-up sessions were purely focused on providing a safe space, where hope could still be held, amidst all that was going on for them. I ensured to remind them of how valuable they are, and how proud I am of their progress.

It’s important that as practitioners, wherever possible, we see through the eyes of our patients – especially when we are torn between abiding to policy rules versus going the extra miles, to ensure quality care for a fellow human being who is in need.

Operating from a trauma-informed approach has deepened my sense of duty for patients’ welfare, compassion and genuine empathy for them.

A service user that worked with Emmanuela had this feedback to give…