Trauma informed - what does that even mean?

The trauma informed buzz word has come and gone but we still believe it has value. For us it’s not a buzzword or a sales pitch. It’s central to how we operate and guides every decision we make.

There are some key distinctions in understanding what this term means and how it applies to a plant medicine setting that we can hopefully bring more clarity on. 

Most practitioners in the health care space come under one of three levels.

Trauma Aware

This means a basic understanding of trauma and being able to recognise when trauma may be causing certain behaviours within an individual. Most people are trauma aware and understand the moments in life when greater sensitivity, empathy and patience is required. It’s a foundational understanding of trauma and requires no training.

Trauma Informed

Here we have a deeper understanding of trauma as the person has undergone formal training to learn about the nervous system and how trauma impacts trauma responses. This person can recognise triggers and responses whilst implementing appropriate steps to reduce harm and create an environment conducive to healing.

Being trauma informed means a person has a deeper understanding of neurobiology and how this can create long term consequences and patterns for an individual.

Trauma Trained

This is a level up from trauma informed, and although both can diagnose trauma, the trauma trained individual can apply a number of first and second line evidence based treatments. They have normally spent an extended period of time studying the biology of trauma and how to apply a variety of treatments.

Whenever deciding upon an organisation or individual who makes claims around being trauma informed or trauma trained it is always worth asking more about these credentials.

How we apply being Trauma Informed to our work?

The first level we apply this, is the intake process with a thorough and robust screening of individuals that includes a questionnaire and face to face video interview.

This keeps us safe and our guests safe. Ayahuasca is not for everyone and likewise some individuals may not be ready for a group setting. Or for ceremony at all. This isn’t to exclude anyone. More than gate keeping, this ensures each individual has the right time and support to prepare. 

What does trauma informed look like on retreat?

Our retreats follow a deliberate rhythm and pattern. There are things we do and things we don’t do to align ourselves with trauma informed care in the plant medicine context.

We don’t partake in ceremony on the first night people arrive. This comes under the trauma definition of too much too soon. As such, pushing people into ceremony after a day of travelling would not be trauma informed. We always allow for a period of orientation. This allows people to get to know the space, us and each other so they can feel a sense of familiarity before ceremony.

Usually this gives us time to calm any nerves before ceremony so that they don’t overshadow the work that needs to be done.

We also have a rest night between each ceremony to allow adequate recovery for ourselves and each individual. This is as important for the ceremonial facilitators as it is for guests.

Post ceremony aftercare

The integration process is an essential and delicate part of the Ayahuasca journey. Making sure individuals receive plenty of support post ceremony and helping them find clarity is a vital part of our work.

Setting the right pace with clear guidance ensures guests don’t succumb to rash decision making or ungrounded behaviours post ceremony. Helping each guest understand the dynamics of rest, recovery and energetic protection makes for a smoother landing.

Bringing more Awareness to the Plant medicine space

Being trauma informed gives a deeper level of awareness for the signs that someone may be activated or entering a trauma response along with the tools to help us navigate this. More importantly it helps us create an environment where people feel safe to open and heal. 

The dynamics of this work are complex, and we often step into the unknown with forces beyond our control. All the more reason for us to control and prepare for what we can to hold a space that is safe as we can make it and aligned for each individuals’ healing.

Image credit: Brian Nori