Beyond Symptoms: Healing with Trauma-Informed Mental Healthcare

For too long, mental healthcare has focused mainly on symptoms. But often, the true root of mental health struggles is trauma. That’s where Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) comes in, changing how we approach the process of healing, in hopes of achieving better outcomes.

What is Trauma-Informed Care?

Simply put, TIC is a new way of thinking. It means acknowledging and understanding how common and impactful trauma can be on our mental, emotional, and physical health. It doesn’t ask, “What’s wrong with you?”; but rather, “What happened to you?”

The principles of TIC – safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, empowerment, and peer support – guide every step of the healing journey.

Why is TIC So Important?

Trauma is Widespread: Most people seeking mental health support have experienced some form of trauma—from childhood experiences to systemic oppression. Ignoring this means missing a huge part of their story.
Symptoms are Survival Tools: Anxiety, depression, substance use, or mood swings aren’t just “problems.” They can be clever ways we learned to cope with trauma. TIC helps us see these as survival strategies, even if they no longer serve us.
No More Re-traumatization: Traditional settings can sometimes, unintentionally, bring up past trauma. TIC focuses on creating safe, trusting environments where clients feel in control, reducing the risk of re-triggering painful memories.
Real Healing & Empowerment: When you feel safe and heard, true healing can begin. TIC helps you understand your experiences, build stronger coping skills, and take back control of your life.
Better Results: By acknowledging trauma, mental health providers can build stronger relationships with clients, increase engagement, and achieve more lasting healing.

Who Benefits from Trauma-Informed Care?

If past experiences are holding you back, TIC can be incredibly helpful. This includes those who have experienced:

Childhood abuse or neglect
Witnessing violence
Natural disasters or accidents
Medical trauma
Combat or other forms of violence
Systemic oppression (racism, sexism, etc.)
Difficult grief or loss

If you’re struggling with ongoing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or other mental health challenges, and traditional approaches haven’t fully helped, trauma-informed care could offer fresh insights and a path to deeper healing.

Ready to Heal Differently?

If you’re looking for mental health support and think your past experiences could be impacting your present, find a practitioner who practices trauma-informed care. Ask them about their approach to understanding the whole you, not just your symptoms. You deserve a healing environment where your experiences are validated, your safety is prioritized, and your voice is empowered.

Take the first step towards a more complete healing journey today.

Click here for more information or to book a free discovery call with Lakeside’s psychotherapist Jen.

Written by Jen Bondoc, Registered Psychotherapist. May 27, 2025

Sources:

Center for Health Care Strategies. (n.d.). What is Trauma-Informed Care? Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center. https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/

Menschner, C. & Maul, A. (2016, April). Key Ingredients for Successful Trauma-Informed Care Implementation. Center for Health Care Strategies. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/programs_campaigns/childrens_mental_health/atc-whitepaper-040616.pdf

Trauma Types. (n.d.). National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Retrieved May 27, 2025 from https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Trauma-Informed Care: A Sociocultural Perspective. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207195/