Simple Ways to Support Ourselves and Each Other.

We talk about trauma-informed care a lot in professional spaces, but the truth is that it shows up in our everyday lives too. It is not just something we use in trainings or meetings. It is how we speak to each other, how we show up in difficult moments, and how we care for ourselves when life feels heavy.

So many people are carrying experiences we know nothing about. Some are loud and visible. Others are tucked away behind a smile or a busy schedule. We never fully know what someone has been through, including ourselves, and trauma-informed care reminds us to move through the world with a little more compassion and a little more curiosity.

According to the NYS Trauma-Informed Network & Resource Center, trauma-informed care is grounded in safety, trust, empowerment, collaboration, and choice. These principles guide organizations across New York State as they work to build healthier, more supportive environments. The beautiful thing is that we can bring those same principles into the way we interact with the people around us every single day.

Here are a few ways I try to think about trauma-informed care in everyday life, in ways that feel real and doable.

Start with Safety and Kindness
Feeling safe matters. Emotional safety can look like speaking gently, giving someone space, or simply saying, “I am glad you are here.” It can also mean checking in with yourself and noticing when you feel overwhelmed. When we feel safe, we can breathe, think, and connect more easily.

Be Curious Instead of Critical
When someone reacts strongly or shuts down, it is easy to jump to judgment. Trauma-informed care encourages us to pause and ask, “What might they be going through,” instead of “What is wrong with them.” That small shift opens the door to empathy and patience, both for others and for ourselves.

Offer Choices
Choice helps people feel respected and in control. It can be as simple as asking, “Do you want to talk about this now or later,” or “Would you like advice or just someone to listen.” Offering choice also means honoring your own boundaries and needs. You get to choose too.

Use Supportive Language
Words matter. A simple:

“That sounds really hard.”
“I am here for you.”
“Thank you for sharing that.”

can help someone feel seen and safe. We never know how much one supportive sentence might mean to someone.

Take Care of Yourself Too
Trauma-informed care is not just about how we treat others. It is also about how we treat ourselves. Pay attention to your energy and emotions. Rest when you can. Ask for help. Give yourself permission to say no. You deserve care just as much as anyone else.

Notice Strength
People who have lived through difficult experiences have developed resilience, creativity, and courage. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is recognize those strengths, in ourselves and in others, and say, “Look at what you have made it through.”

Why This Matters
When we bring trauma-informed practices into our everyday lives, we help create spaces where people feel valued and supported. Small acts of compassion can reduce stress, build trust, and support healing in ways we may never fully see.

Organizations across New York, including those connected through the NYS Trauma-Informed Network & Resource Center, are working to build communities where trauma-informed care is the norm. By practicing these principles in our daily interactions, we become part of that movement, one conversation at a time.

We Are in This Together
Whether you are supporting clients, coworkers, friends, family, or yourself, trauma-informed care reminds us that kindness and understanding make a difference. Every gentle interaction, every patient moment, and every act of care helps create a world where people can heal and grow.

If you would like to explore trauma-informed resources across New York, you can visit: https://www.traumainformedny.org/ or visit our CCN Regional Trauma-Informed Care Team webpage and request copies of any of the posters, toolkits, or resources guides.

We are all learning. We are all growing. And we are doing it together.