Trauma-informed care

Trauma-informed care requires an empathetic approach to treatment. Cultural, racial, ethnic, and socio-economic differences can present barriers to successfully aiding individuals seeking services. These barriers prevent the target demographic from seeking out services initially, but can also impede the treatment process. Overlooking factors integral to a client’s identity, personal goals, culture, background knowledge, and/or previous experiences can result in less than satisfactory results. As a trauma-informed treatment provider, it’s crucial that you are thinking critically about potential barriers to service for all clients.

Please choose one of the following case study snippets, paying special attention to potential barriers to treatment, and write a 1- to 2- page essay comparing and contrasting the the unique experiences of cultural, racial, and ethnic groups as they experience services that are, and are not, trauma-informed, and recommending treatment centers/facilities. Explain your reasoning with researched information from the text as well as your own independent research using scholarly materials from the WilmU databases (Links to an external site.). See essay rubric for guidelines.

Scenario #1

Tamika is a 17 year old, Hispanic female who recently audibly witnessed a murder in her neighborhood. She heard the screams for help from a woman for several minutes, followed by a sudden silence. When she looked out of the window of her bedroom into the alley alongside her home, she saw what appeared to be a young woman, covered in blood, slumped over a trash can. Tamika gasped, shut her window and hid in her room. Four days later, Tamika still would not talk about what she had seen, even to the police. Tamika was later referred to “The Coleman Counseling Center” which specializes in trauma focused treatment, however the agency is located about 25 minutes away in the suburban area of Newark. What if any barriers to treatment will Tamika face?

Scenario #2

Silvia is a mixed race (African American/Caucasian) mother of three and in her second marriage. Two days ago, Silvia called the police requesting assistance after her husband, who is also the father of her youngest two children, assaulted her with a hair brush. Her husband, who is the primary financial provider for the home was arrested and Silvia was taken to the hospital. As a result of her husband’s possessive demeanor and dominance throughout the marriage, Silvia has been isolated from her family and friends. When Silvia was in the hospital receiving medical treatment for two days, she had no one to care for her children, and they were placed in State Custody. While Silvia was in the hospital she met with the Domestic Violence coordinator who then referred her to the specialist at the local counseling center. What if any barriers will Silvia face?