Integrating a Trauma-Informed Approach in Facilitation & Gathering

A photo of four earth-tone rocks stacked on a wooden table with a blurry background. - photo by nicollazzi xiong

Being trauma-informed generally means having an understanding about how trauma works and integrating that as a lens and holistic approach in your work and relationships.

​Here is a basic overview of some key components to being trauma-informed in your facilitation, space-holding, and gathering.

Stress happens! It impacts the nervous system (NS). It is natural and unavoidable - so we can work with it. Trauma is a somatic experience and result of an event, or multiple events, that was/were experienced and has/had an effect on the NS. It can be a one-time or chronic.

The traditional understanding of the trauma response is fight or flight. If you'd like, take a moment to reflect on your experience with thinking, learning, or feeling it.

Now let’s explore the 3 parts that the NS tends to respond with:

Getting to WE
At the nexus of I AM and I CAN is the space to imagine and co-create! 

• Try an activity such as regulation and grounding - look around the space, move around the space, or leave the space, - breathe, hum, make music or art, or dance!

 

A trauma-informed approach for an organization or team might look like:

• User-defined emotional/physical safety
• Cultural & identity components are considered, celebrated, and centered
• Transparency and accountability in decision-making and information sharing
• Collaboration as a norm, “we all have a role to play”

• Community and peer support with people who have lived experience
• Choice, participation, and awareness of power-dynamics with a focus on resilience and healing
• Active learning, reflection, and play.

How might we…
> Integrate a trauma-Informed lens and somatic approach throughout the facilitation process?Incorporate movement, music, and rest; offer participation options, and consider energy levels.

• Tip: Circle back to the goal of the event and of each session.
• Tool: Build in time for pause and rest via reflection, debrief, and gratitude.

 
> Hold space and balance roles - acknowledge and celebrate differences and lived experiences?
Context matters – note the space, time, and people e.g. bathroom, access, safety, and snacks!

• Tip: Move around the environment to find an object (found or provided) that has meaning for you and regroup to share the why.
• Tool: co-create shared agreements for engagement that are specific to the event ask: How do we want to engage as a group? What do you need to feel productive and safe in these conversations? How can we center community care, incorporate decision-making approaches, and address confidentiality? Remember: you are the owner of your own story.

 
> Share stories and listen – strengthen response techniques when you experience discomfort and manage talk time?
Culturally-relevant core human needs include security, connection and belonging, identity, acknowledgement and recognition, freedom, and autonomy. Remember that people need those things!

• Tip: validate, summarize, reflect, and check for understanding.
• Tool: small group discussions, arts-based methods, and parking lot or seed-saver area for ideas.

 

​A few of many resources that inspire my approach and ongoing learning:
Call of the Wild - by Kimberly Ann Johnson
Healing Justice Lineages - by Cara Page and Erica Woodland
My Grandmother’s Hands - by Resmaa Menakem
Polyvagal Theory - by Steven Porges
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
The Body Keeps the Score - by Besser van der Kolk
Trauma Stewardship - by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky and Connie Burk
When the Body Says No - by Gabor Maté
 
→Let’s connect to talk about how you or your team might benefit from integrating a trauma-informed approach. 
 
NOTE: This document is for general learning purposes only - it does not provide medical advice. The author is not liable or responsible for any outcomes caused by actions taken from this publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without the prior written permission and consent of the author.