What It Means to Work with a Trauma‑Informed Counselor or Coach
1. Understanding Trauma‑Informed Care
To be trauma-informed means embedding trauma-awareness into every aspect of your work, recognizing that past wounds affect thoughts, feelings, body and behavior. According to SAMHSA, six core principles guide this approach:
Safety (physical & emotional)
Trustworthiness & Transparency
Peer Support & Mutuality
Collaboration & Empowerment (voice & choice)
Cultural, Historical, and Gender Awareness
Resilience
Every session, intake form, and communication is intentionally structured to reflect these values.
2. Coach vs. Counselor: How Trauma‑Informed Works Differently
You don’t need to choose therapy or coaching, they can support each other:
Counselors (therapists) focus on diagnosing and healing trauma using treatment-based models like TF‑CBT or EMDR ect.
Trauma‑informed coaches understand trauma’s impact but focus on resilience-building: helping clients achieve goals without diagnosing or treating mental health conditions .
When deeper psychological work is needed, coaches will need to refer thoughtfully, keeping the client’s well-being at the center.
3. What You Can Expect as a Client
If you’re considering working with someone claiming to be trauma-informed, here’s what real support looks like:
a) You’ll Feel Safe and Respected
Sessions are paced by your comfort, never rushed or forced.
Your dignity, choices, and agency are honored at every step.
b) You Stay in Control
You set the agenda and define success.
You're invited into a partnership, your voice matters.
You have choice every step of the way.
c) Trauma Literate Support
They understand shut-downs, overwhelm, or hypervigilance as nervous system responses, not personal failures.
You'll learn practical tools: grounding, breathwork, mindfulness to help regulate your body and mind
d) Re‑traumatization is Avoided
Every step is consent-driven.
If something feels too intense, they slow down, anchor you, and ensure you feel contained and safe.
e) You’ll Rebuild Trust in Yourself
Trauma damages our inner compass.
Through strengths-based reflection, resilience-building, and self-awareness, you reclaim trust in your choices and instincts.
4. Strategies Trauma‑Informed Professionals Use
Structured Safety: Predictable processes, clear boundaries and informed consent reduce stress.
Educated Awareness: They’ve trained in trauma symptoms and brain-body connections
Strengths & Growth Focus: Highlighting resilience and past victories.
Referral Networks: Ready to guide you toward therapy or specialized care when deeper healing is needed .
Ongoing Responsible Practice: They follow ethical guidelines, consent, boundaries, self-checks, vicarious trauma prevention .
5. Why Trauma‑Informed Care Is So Vital
Trauma affects mind, body, relationships, and decisions, even when it’s not front-of-mind.
A SAMHSA framework urges avoiding re-traumatization by asking, “What has happened to you?” instead of “What’s wrong with you?”
Research shows structured, trauma-aware environments promote better outcomes, from fewer PTSD symptoms in students to improved trust and growth in coaching clients.
6. Client Checklist: Hiring a Trauma‑Informed Professional?
Do they reference SAMHSA’s six principles openly?
Do they explain their training in trauma-responsible methods (like EMDR, somatic healing, mindfulness)?
Do they make clear distinctions: coach = non-clinical support; counselor = therapeutic healing?
Do they explain how and when they'd refer you to another professional?
Do they offer a transparent, consent-driven, no‑pressure intake and session process?
Conclusion
Working with a trauma‑informed counselor or coach means joining a collaborative, consent-based, strength‑centered journey. You’re not being fixed. You’re being supported to reclaim your body, choices, and future. You get to lead, while they guide gently, safely, and respectfully.
I’m a trauma-informed counselor and coach who specializes in helping high-achieving adults break free from unconscious beliefs, emotional burnout, and nervous system overwhelm. I blend somatic tools, mindset reprogramming, and trauma-sensitive techniques to create real, lasting change, not just talk.
Whether you’ve tried therapy before or are completely new to this work, I create a space where you feel safe, seen, and empowered to grow.
Schedule a free discovery call today to explore how I can support your healing and transformation.