Client-Centered, Person-Centered, and Resilience-Based Approaches to Trauma-Informed Care

Chapter three explores client-centered, person-centered, and resiliencefocussed approaches to trauma-informed care, and although they differ somewhat, all three are strength-based and share the common goal of helping people who have experienced adversity. Client-centered care places the person and their capacity for growth and change at the heart of all that occurs. This approach prioritizes respect for the self-worth of every human being and promotes the practice of unconditional positive regard. The quality of the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and client/patient is important, as is the nurse’s ability to apply professional knowledge and competence to the care they provide. A unique aspect of person-centered care is that it provides services to people with acute and chronic health issues that are holistic, and recovery-orientated. Collaboration and effective communication skills are essential features of this approach. Positive ways to offer person-centered care to people from these populations are reviewed, the elderly, those with a disability, people with dementia, palliative care patients, and persons suffering from mental illness and substance use. Specific components of recovery-oriented care that are included in the discussion are a person’s capacity for change and courage, their responsibility for their growth, and the importance of finding purpose in their lives. Resilience is identified as the is the ability to carry on and bounce back to original functioning after experiencing a trauma. We are made aware that a resilient person becomes stronger despite adversity because they utilize positive emotions, develop a sturdy mindset, a renewed commitment to life, and welcome challenges. The remainder of the discussion focuses on how to safely conduct screening for trauma for everyone including survivors of interpersonal violence (IPV). Two Narrative Case Studies are presented. The first one demonstrates that when a client/patient crosses a professional boundary, a problem is created for the nurse. The second Case Study explores how a survivor of interpersonal violence (IPV) may require advocacy to help them stay safe. The following four learning activities are recommended, how to practice unconditional positive regard; exploring helpful strategies to utilize when conducting trauma screening; dispelling myths associated with IPV; and how to implement survivor-centered approaches when caring for someone who has experienced IPV. At the end of the Chapter, a self-care strategy is recommended that challenges nurses to set aside time to focus more on being present.