By using this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. To find out more visit our privacy policy.
Lean About Trauma Informed Care
In any setting or circumstance, PTs and PTAs may interact with individuals — whether patients, clients, colleagues, students, research subjects, or others — who have undergone and are affected by trauma. Being able to recognize it and respond appropriately is vital to optimizing evaluation and interventions for the best possible outcomes.
What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
In any setting or circumstance, PTs and PTAs may interact with individuals — whether patients, clients, colleagues, students, research subjects, or others — who have undergone and are affected by trauma. Being able to recognize it and respond appropriately is vital to optimizing evaluation and interventions for the best possible outcomes.
APTA supports education on trauma-informed care throughout the physical therapy community as articulated in the APTA House of Delegates position adopted in 2024. The American Physical Therapy Association House of Delegates position "Recommended Education on Trauma-Informed Care Across the Physical Therapy Profession" (HOD P07-24-04-08), which states that APTA "recommends education for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students about trauma-informed care to include realizing the widespread impact of trauma, recognizing its signs and symptoms, and responding with policies, procedures, and practices to resist re-traumatization of all those with whom we interact, collaborate, and serve."
Below are some resources on trauma-informed care to help you strengthen the knowledge and skills needed to understand and address the impact of trauma across all practice settings.
What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
A resource from the Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center, this article defines trauma-informed care and highlights its principles and benefits in delivering compassionate and effective care.
PTSD: Trauma-Informed Care
This resource from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD, offers valuable guidance for developing trauma-informed care approaches across various fields serving veterans or other individuals with trauma histories.
SAMHSA's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach
This resource from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, establishes a working concept of trauma and a trauma-informed approach while fostering a shared understanding of this approach among diverse service systems and stakeholders.
Resource Guide to Trauma-Informed Human Services
This guide from the Administration for Children and Families offers an introduction to trauma and explains the importance of recognizing and addressing it within human services programs.
Trauma-Informed Care: Better Care for Everyone
This article emphasizes the critical role of trauma-informed care and highlights the long-term physical and emotional effects of trauma.
Recommended Content
Jan 22, 2025 / Website
This article from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association explores the widespread impact of trauma on physical and mental health.
Jan 22, 2025 / Website
From the Stanford Social Innovation Review, this article explores how recognizing trauma within ourselves, others, and the systems around us can reveal new pathways for addressing social challenges.
Jan 22, 2025 / Website
This infographic from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing offers guidance on effective trauma management.
Jan 22, 2025 / Website
This course in APTA's Learning Center explores the benefits of an integrative approach to the complex patient that puts understanding stress at the core of caregiving.
Additional Trauma Informed Care Content
Jan 23, 2025 / Website
From the Oregon Health Authority: People living with HIV are disproportionately affected by trauma, which can lead to poorer treatment outcomes. This website offers resources for providers to use in implementing trauma-informed care for this population.
Jan 23, 2025 / Website
This on-demand online course from APTA Pelvic Health is designed for physical therapists. Participants will learn the fundamentals of trauma, its impact on individuals, and how it can influence patient interactions during therapy.
Jan 23, 2025 / Website
This course in the APTA Learning Center focuses on the public health perspective of trauma-informed care, examining health care policies and their potential effects on your practice. This course is part of the Persistent Pain Management Learning Series.
Jan 23, 2025 / Website
This report from the American Academy of Pediatrics summarizes current, practical advice for rendering trauma-informed care across varied medical settings.
Jan 23, 2025 / Website
This article from the Open Health Services and Policy Journal explores the evidence base for trauma-informed care within homelessness service settings.
Jan 23, 2025 / Website
This blog post from the Center for Health Care Strategies Policymakers gives examples of growing legislative and policy efforts aiming to reduce trauma, promote resiliency, and encourage the adoption of trauma-informed practices across multiple sectors.