Trauma-informed approach

Does trauma represent an isolated event, or is it an almost universal experience that touches each of us directly or indirectly? What stories do those who need help carry? How to better understand their outwardly problematic or self-destructive behavior? Why is it so hard for many clients to see the world as a safe place even many years after a traumatic event? How to effectively help clients and bring new hope into their lives? The answers to these and many other questions can be found in this book, which is the first Czech publication devoted to the topic of trauma-informed approach in social work.

This approach emphasizes the client's strengths, resilience, and development of healthy skills instead of focusing solely on pathology and symptom management.

The book brings a new perspective on clients and their needs, their own role in the lives of these clients, the importance and possible benefits of a mutual relationship, as well as ways to better understand and support clients affected by trauma and to effectively help them within the framework of the provided service.
It helps social workers and other professionals find their way to the most vulnerable and most at-risk clients, whose lives are often full of chaos as a result of the trauma they have experienced, of fear and apprehension, shaken by the loss of healthy relationships with others, by losing a sense of trust, safety and control. It helps to learn to accept clients with a more considerate and respectful attitude and to become more aware of how the past may be affecting them in the present and what form of support and care they really need.

The publication focuses not only on the theoretical background of the trauma-informed approach, but also on its use in work with selected target groups and is enriched with the views and experiences of Czech and foreign professionals from the application sphere. However, it does not only bring expert knowledge – It is also a kind reassurance of courage, steadfastness in the face of circumstance and the strength of humanity.