Trauma-informed therapy goes beyond treating a single symptom or issue. Rather, trauma specialists work to identify the trauma often at the center of other disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. While some may believe that trauma is not at the center of most mental health conditions, it is vital to remember how common trauma is. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that two out of three children will experience at least one major traumatic event before they turn 16. Those numbers do not even account for the many individuals who then experience trauma later in life.

Due to how prevalent trauma is, trauma-informed therapy focuses on tailoring treatment to address the specific trauma a client has faced, including each individual’s personal history, triggers, and goals. Intergenerational trauma, or trauma shared between parents and children, will also be explored during this process. The overall goal of trauma-informed therapy is to begin the healing process for the trauma, making recovery easier for any other mental health disorders a person may experience.