Trauma-Informed Practices
Southwest Family Guidance Center and Institute is recognized by the Children, Youth, and Families Department and the State Department of New Mexico as a trauma and developmentally informed mental health agency. We adhere to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) concept of what constitutes a trauma-informed approach.
This means that our clinicians:
- Realize “the widespread impact of trauma and understands paths for recovery;”
- Recognize “the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff,” and others involved with our agency;
- Respond by “fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices;”
- Seek to “actively resist re-traumatization.” (SAMHSA, 2015)
SWFGC also adheres to SAMHSA’s six key principles of a trauma informed approach. SAMHSA (2015) defines these principles as:
- Safety
- Trustworthiness & Transparency
- Peer Support
- Collaboration & Mutuality
- Empowerment, Voice & Choice
- Cultural, Historical & Gender Issues
Aligning with these principles, SWFGC works to establish a trusting and transparent relationship with our clients throughout the course of treatment, while providing an environment that fosters a sense of safety. By embracing safety as one of our own core principles, we are able to deliver a mutually respectful and beneficial therapeutic process. Clients receiving services at SWFGC will find that our therapists encourage them to seek peer support in a way that is beneficial to their treatment and personal growth. Our agency believes in empowering our clients to take charge of their own therapeutic process. We respect our clients’ unique perspectives, beliefs, values, and encourage them to participate in developing personal treatment plans, playing an active and constructive role in their overall health and well-being.