Using a Healing-Centered Approach with Trauma-Impacted Populations

This workshop introduces the concept of a healing-centered lens. Healing-centered means we begin with healing rather than trauma, starting from a place of full human dignity and relationships that uphold well-being, collective care, and do no harm. We may be unaware that when we gain consent, require individuals to respond to and narrate traumatic experiences, and gain insights to inform interventions or services, we can engage in extractive, triggering practices and limit agency. Additionally, we may not realize how “witnessing” such narration may trigger the self emotionally. This training will increase attendees' understanding of a healing-centered versus trauma-informed framework. Attendees will be guided through a redesign process for consent and protocols and gain tangible practices that create conditions where individuals have choice, agency, and access to support when distress arises.

Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Describe the difference between a healing-centered versus trauma-informed lens
• Examine current practices that may be extractive, triggering, and limit agency
• Identify how “witnessing” triggers emotions
• Design consent and protocols to include individual choice points, pacing options, and practices for emotional safety.