Compassionate and Trauma-Informed Responses

SAMHSA has developed a simple method to remind us how to keep a compassionate and trauma-informed perspective. This is called the 4R’s and are key assumptions of a trauma-informed approach.  

Understanding actions

We can start by thinking about how our and others’ behaviors might actually be reactions to our lived experiences and how our reactions might continue a cycle of trauma. “Acting out” and “acting in” behaviors are common ways individuals, organizations, communities, and societies reenact trauma and can be common coping strategies to survive adversity and overwhelming circumstances. 

Some common examples of acting out behaviors are:

  • lying

  • fighting

  • bullying

  • substance abuse

  • participating in unsafe activities

Some common examples of acting in behaviors are:

  • self-harm or mutilation

  • avoidance or isolation

  • lack of commitment

  • lack of trust

  • dependency on other people

  • anxiety or depression

We often react to these behaviors (in ourselves and others) rather than seeking to understand them. A trauma-informed healing approach understands that these are common and normal ways of reacting when we have lived through difficult experiences. They are often strategies we develop to adapt and survive these experiences and act from a place of protecting ourselves. By shifting to a place of compassionate understanding, we can move from a deficit or blame-based perspective to a strengths-based one that promotes trusting relationships and safe environments. 

Acknowledge each other’s strengths and knowledge

We have often been trained in assuming an expert-client relationship where I am the “expert” that has the best idea of what is best for the person we’re working with. 

A trauma-informed approach, however, recognizes that we all have strengths and knowledge that can become useful resources for healing and well-being. We can often check-in with ourselves and each other by asking: "How can we better support each other?

Promote well-being in organizations

Promoting well-being throughout organizations is essential. Let’s pause and think about the oxygen mask on planes. Adults have to place the mask on themselves first to later assist children; otherwise they may lose consciousness and not be there for the child. By connecting with ourselves and connecting with others we can take care of ourselves to be able to better support others:

  • Practice self-care: breathing, meditation, exercise, yoga, healthy eating, counseling, practice hobbies, watch TV or movies, take walks in nature, read, do gardening, etc.

  • Practice collective care: create a space and time for exercise or yoga within the organization’s facilities, provide space for debriefing sessions, have team-building activities, celebrate each other’s professional and life achievements, etc.

Our goal as a trauma-informed organization is to foster a thriving environment. What are some practical ways in which we can better support everyone within our organization in a trauma-informed way? Here’s a suggested path: