Trauma-Informed Care
Also written as: TIC — Trauma-Informed Care
A service delivery framework in which all clinical practices, organizational policies, and staff interactions are structured to recognize, understand, and avoid re-traumatization of individuals with trauma histories.
Full Definition
Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an evidence-based organizational and clinical framework originally developed by SAMHSA, built on six key principles: safety; trustworthiness and transparency; peer support; collaboration and mutuality; empowerment, voice, and choice; and cultural, historical, and gender issues. It is distinct from trauma-specific treatment (a direct clinical intervention for trauma) in that TIC is a universal approach applied across all services regardless of diagnosis. Editors working on clinical policy documents, training curricula, and grant proposals must hyphenate 'trauma-informed' when it precedes a noun and should not abbreviate TIC without first spelling out the full term.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate 'trauma-informed' as a compound modifier before any noun. 'Trauma-informed care' (a universal framework) is not the same as 'trauma-focused therapy' (a specific clinical intervention). Spell out in full on first use before introducing the abbreviation TIC.
In Context
- "The agency's strategic plan outlined a shift to trauma-informed care practices across all outpatient programs." — Agency strategic plan
- "Editors should hyphenate 'trauma-informed' when it modifies a noun, as in 'trauma-informed care' or 'trauma-informed approach.'" — Style convention note