Signs of Trauma-Informed Care (What It Looks and Feels Like)
Green flags to look for: consent, clarity, being listened to, options offered, no pressure
This is part 4 of our 6-part Trauma-Informed Care Series.
Signs of Trauma-Informed Care (What It Looks and Feels Like) (you are here)
Trauma-Informed Care: Red Flags (coming soon)
The Space Between Us: Shared Responsibility in Trauma-Informed Care (coming soon)
Trauma-informed care isn’t about labels, it’s about how care feels. This post outlines how to spot signs of trauma-informed practice, from body language to language tone, and includes questions you can ask when choosing a provider.
How Do You Know If a Space Is Truly Trauma-Informed?
This is an important question, especially if you’ve ever left a clinic or healing space feeling dismissed, overwhelmed, or just… not quite right.
Many places say they’re trauma-informed. Fewer are consistently embodying it. Some clinics or organizations might have a trauma-informed structure in place, but the individual practitioners may not have integrated that approach into their actual interactions. And that makes a difference.
This post offers some gentle, practical ways to recognize the signs of green flags, of trauma-informed care in real life.
What to Look For on a Website or Intake Form
Trauma-informed language often shows up before you even walk in.
Do they mention consent, collaboration, or power dynamics?
Do they talk about trauma as a human experience, not just a diagnosis?
Are you asked about preferences, needs, or history in the intake process?
Is the tone welcoming and human, or polished and clinical?
Also worth considering: has the practitioner done their own trauma work? Are they aware of their own triggers or blind spots?
No one is perfect, but humility is part of the package.
What Trauma-Informed Care Looks Like
There are patterns you can spot, both subtle and obvious, in how someone communicates and creates a healing environment.
In words and communication:
Language is clear, respectful, and invitational, not prescriptive or pushy
You’re offered options, not orders and protocols
Practitioners explain why they suggest something, and encourage your questions
You’re asked about your needs, preferences, and potential triggers (even if just gently)
You’re given space to take your time and reflect. No rush
Your concerns are taken seriously
In the room and body language:
The practitioner is physically positioned at eye level, not towering or looming
Their body language feels grounded and open, not rigid or performative
There’s awareness of power dynamics, they don’t take up all the air in the room
Consent is asked for at every step: before touching, before a new treatment, before a shift in plan
The atmosphere feels welcoming, not clinical or cold
In tone and presence:
You feel listened to, not assessed
You’re not made to feel like a diagnosis
You feel safe saying, “I’m not sure” or even “no”
Boundaries are clear, kind, and consistent
There’s patience, an understanding that trust might take time
What Trauma-Informed Care Feels Like
The signs aren’t always verbal. Sometimes, it’s in how your body responds.
You feel a little more able to exhale
You don’t feel like you’re bracing
You feel seen, not watched
You feel heard
You don’t feel like you’re being rushed out the door
You might even feel gently empowered, like you’re a participant in your own care
Your opinion and thoughts are welcomed
What You’re Allowed to Ask (If It Feels Safe)
If you're vetting a new care provider, and you feel comfortable doing so, here are a few questions you might ask:
“How do you approach informed consent in your sessions?”
“How do you respond if someone needs to pause or say no during a treatment?”
“What’s your understanding of trauma-informed care?”
“Are you open to feedback if something doesn’t feel right in the moment?”
Sometimes, the answer won’t be in their words, it’ll be in how they answer. Do they get defensive or curious? Do they pause thoughtfully or get flustered?
You’re not being difficult by asking. You’re protecting your nervous system.
At Tsumugi Healing Arts
Trauma-informed care is a daily practice. Here's what it can look like at our clinic:
Intake includes not just what happened, but how you’ve carried it
Your story is acknowledged, never minimized
We adjust lighting, sounds, or scent where possible
Informed consent is an ongoing conversation
Options are offered with pros and cons, never pressure
You’re invited to practice safety, not just expected to feel safe
You’re treated as a partner in care, not a problem to fix
We take our time, and we honor yours
Boundaries are clear and consistent
We reflect on our own trauma, triggers, and how we show up
This also shows up in our Community Acupuncture space, where care is grounded in relationship, safety, and shared humanity, not hierarchy.
You are the expert on your body. Our role is to support you, not override you.
Next: Trauma-Informed Care – Red Flags to Watch For
In the next post, we’ll explore what trauma-informed care shouldn’t look like, red flags that might tell you a practice talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk.