Guiding Principles

Our members and efforts are guided by the following principles and beliefs;

• Trauma is pervasive in our society and it places a heavy burden on individuals, families, communities and all health care and social service organization and system.
• Trauma is a root cause of many of the most pressing social problems that impacts the well being of our communities.
• Every person has a fundamental right to receive services that are trauma informed
• Trauma is viewed as an injury and not as a “sickness”.
• Symptoms are recognized as the creative and necessary adaptations to the effects of trauma.
• Trauma can be a defining and organizing experience that can form the core of a person’s identity.
• The universal precaution and assumption that every person seeking services has been affected by trauma.
• Safety and trust are core principles on which every service and organization must be based.
• Compassion and authentic, genuine and caring relationships are fundamental to supporting recovery from trauma.
• Understanding the whole person and the context in which they live is essential to supporting recovery.
• Emphasis should be placed on the interconnectedness of the body, mind and spirit.
• A strength based approach that seeks to return, a sense of control and autonomy to the person affected by trauma is fundamental to supporting recovery.
• Collaboration in the service relationship and between service providers facilitates recovery.
• People affected by trauma are the experts on their own experience.
• Mental health promotion is a critical component to a comprehensive strategy to trauma recovery and prevention.