SOAR TA Center Webinar Recap Part 2: The Six Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach

SOAR Strategies for Implementation at Deborah’s Place in Chicago

Panelists Kim Davidson and Eleni Marsh with Deborah’s Place in Chicago, explained their experiences using a trauma-informed approach within their organization. For instance, they share how being a trauma-informed agency means the SOAR provider doesn’t need to know in detail what the trauma was like for the individual. They share how the Six Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach have been integrated into their SOAR program. While listening to Kim and Eleni, ask yourself these questions:

How does your agency integrate this principle into daily practice?
How might your agency more fully integrate practices related to this principle?
How can my organization become a trauma-informed organization?

Principle 1: Safety

When your safety has been compromised it can be difficult to feel safe. Safety can be both physical and emotional.

SOAR Strategies

Build strong trusting relationships based on honesty
- This means not always telling someone what they want to hear, but letting them know the truth (even about potential denials, etc.)
Allow individuals to apply for disability benefits (or at least complete the Medical Summary Report) with those they trust the most
Don’t ask for more information than you need
Complete the application/interview in spaces where the participant chooses and feels safe
Have a conversation at the beginning of the process explaining the information being asked, exploring how they will know if it is too much, and what they need if they are triggered.
Allow and normalize breaks
Give options of things that might make the application/interview process more comfortable (e.g., food, drink, movie clips, coloring books)
CELEBRATE after completing every single step

Principle 2: Trustworthiness and Transparency

When someone’s boundaries have been violated in the past, they may have a difficult time setting them. You want to be very clear about your role and the process.

SOAR Strategies

Give many opportunities for information to be learned (information sessions, trips to Social Security offices, etc.)
Clearly explain every step of the application process and everyone’s role
Explain the positives AND negatives of applying for benefits (decisional balance)

Principle 3: Peer Support

Those that we work with are experts in their own lives. They should have every opportunity to use their expertise and share it with others

SOAR Strategies

Have forums where others can share their stories of the process
Give every opportunity for participants to educate you about their life, and not the other way around

Principle 4: Collaboration and Mutuality

All services should be partnerships and every opportunity for autonomy should be honored.

SOAR Strategies

Give opportunities to cancel/postpone an application throughout the process
Use Motivational Interviewing to guide conversations (Use the phrase OARS: Open Questions, Affirmation, Reflective Listening, and Summary Reflections)

Principle 5: Empowerment, Voice, and Choice

Traumatic experiences often involve losing one’s voice and feeling like control is taken away. We must restore control whenever possible. Ask fewer questions and listen to more stories!

SOAR Strategies

Explore the meaning of benefits (positive and negative) for those you serve
Explore the meaning of disability and fears about the label
Don’t make participants feel that they have to undergo any treatment they aren’t comfortable with to strengthen an application
Infuse every step of the process with small activities and interventions that help build recovery and skills (breathing exercises, grounding techniques, self-care plans, etc.)

Principle 6: Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues

The experience of navigating an oppressive world is also traumatic, and people experience this differently based on their identities.

SOAR Strategies

Recognize that some traumas disproportionately affect some identities more than others
Recognize the additional barriers that your participants may face in the application process and advocate to minimize those barriers

Self-Care for You and Co-Workers

Identify what makes space for you?
Find ways to infuse your days with small practices that build your reserves
Understand that self-care doesn’t have to be huge
Recognize signs of burnout and hopelessness and seek support
Find creative ways to do the application (from home, music, lots of breaks)

Lisa and Kim did not have enough time to discuss self care, but did stress a few key points about the importance of understanding ‘vicarious trauma’ which SOAR providers are certainly at high risk for because they so often absorb the pain of others.

SSA’s New Trauma Listing: 12.15 Trauma and stressor-related disorders

SSA has added a new listing pertaining to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD was formerly considered under Anxiety Disorders. The Trauma Listing now reflects diagnostic criteria as present in the DSM-V. When you begin to work with applicants, look back at the webinar and SOAR online course articles to ensure that you are providing all the documentation that Disability Determination Services need to show how the applicant meets the Listing criteria for disability. In addition you can use these tool to obtain all needed information from the applicant by considering the six trauma-informed principles.

Additional Resources