Mental Health Coordinating Council

Trauma Informed Care and Practice (TICP)

TICP is grounded in and directed by a thorough understanding of the neurological, biological, psychological and social effects of trauma and interpersonal violence and the prevalence of these experiences in persons who receive mental health services. It involves not only changing assumptions about how we organise and provide services, but creates organisational cultures that are personal, holistic, creative, open and therapeutic. A trauma-based approach primarily views the individual as having been harmed by something or someone: thus connecting the personal and the socio-political environments (Bloom, 1997).

TICP is a practice that can be utilised to support service providers in moving from a caretaker to a collaborator role, where services represent a ‘new generation’ of transformed mental health and allied human services organisations and programs which serve people with histories of violence and trauma. When a human service program seeks to become trauma-informed, every part of its organisation, management, and service delivery system is assessed and modified to ensure a basic understanding of how trauma impacts the life of an individual who is seeking services.

Transformational outcomes can happen when organisations, programs, and services are based on an understanding of the particular vulnerabilities and/or triggers that trauma survivors experience (that traditional service delivery approaches may exacerbate) so that these services and programs can be more supportive, effective and avoid re-traumatisation.

Whilst some organisations and services in Australia acknowledge and address trauma in the work they do, few incorporate practice of trauma informed care in policy development and implementation to care and practice. MHCC together with collaborating partners ASCA (Adults Surviving Child Abuse), ECAV (Education Centre against Violence) and PMHCCN Private Mental Health Consumer Carer Network Australia are advocating for a cultural and philosophical shift to promote Trauma informed Care and Practice be adopted broadly across a range of service systems in Australia. Should you wish to stay informed and/or be part of this movement for change please join the TICP network.