Trauma-informed mental health practice recognizes that individuals' emotional, psychological, and behavioral experiences are influenced by the environments in which they live. Environmental housing conditions, housing instability, environmental injustice, and chronic exposure to unsafe living conditions can contribute to stress, adversity, and trauma-related responses. This section provides resources and frameworks that support holistic, person-in-environment approaches to assessment, intervention, resilience, and recovery.
Trauma-Informed Care Frameworks
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Trauma-Informed Care Resources
SAMHSA's Six Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-Informed Organizational Toolkit
Description: Foundational resources that provide guidance for recognizing the impact of trauma and implementing trauma-informed approaches across practice settings.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) & Toxic Stress
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ACEs Resources
ACEs and Resilience Research
Toxic Stress Educational Materials
Description: Resources exploring how adversity, chronic stress, and environmental conditions may influence physical, emotional, and behavioral health across the lifespan.
Resilience & Strengths-Based Practice
Resilience Theory Resources
Strengths-Based Practice Guides
Community Resilience Frameworks
Description: Educational materials focused on resilience, protective factors, coping, adaptation, and recovery in the face of adversity and environmental challenges.
Person-in-Environment Resources
Person-in-Environment Theory
Ecological Systems Theory
Social Determinants of Health Resources
Description: Frameworks that support understanding the interaction between individuals, families, communities, and environmental contexts.
Trauma-Informed Assessment & Clinical Practice
Trauma Screening Resources
Trauma-Informed Interviewing Techniques
Trauma-Informed Assessment Guides
Clinical Practice Tools
Description: Resources that support safe, collaborative, and culturally responsive approaches to assessment and intervention.
These resources support trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-in-environment approaches to mental health practice. They encourage clinicians to consider how environmental, social, and structural factors may contribute to stress, adversity, resilience, and well-being while promoting holistic and culturally responsive care.