How can empathy improve trauma-informed care and MI?

An individual who experiences trauma has encountered a number of factors. They have experienced an event where there was no one there or available to support them, to rescue them, or to assist them to maintain and manage proper emotional regulation addressing the matter. An intervention using empathy allows the facilitator to mirror, I feel what you are feeling now. This intervention will support navigating a new narrative, reframing one's reality, and encourage hope, as well as resilience for the client.

In my role as an SUD social worker, I've found that empathy is fundamental in trauma-informed care and MI. It creates a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel understood and valued. This approach helps in acknowledging their experiences and emotions without bias, fostering trust. Empathy also aids in better understanding the client's perspective, crucial for effective motivational interviewing. It's about connecting with the person behind the struggle, which can significantly enhance therapeutic outcomes and support recovery.

As a licensed psychotherapist in many states, I experienced the importance of discussing this topic. Based on my knowledge and experiences, a lack of awareness of trauma and its impact on individuals also impacts their recovery journey. National Council of Behavior Health identified that 70% of US adults go through some traumatic experience. Therefore, again, I would like to emphasize the importance of discussing trauma and trauma-focused care, which will allow us to educate the community and have a positive outcome. #Motivation Interviwing #Truma #Trauma informed care

Empathy deeply enhances trauma-informed care and Motivational Interviewing (MI). By empathetically acknowledging and validating a client's trauma and emotional state, practitioners build a foundation of trust and safety. This approach allows clients to feel understood and respected, fostering a therapeutic alliance. Empathy also aids in reducing client resistance and facilitates deeper engagement in the MI process. Through empathic interactions, clients are more likely to open up, participate actively, and work collaboratively towards healing and behavioral change.

Granted, levels of trauma impact individuals differently, but, the idea of self-disclosure in a Peer-to-Peer Engagement connects provider and recipient in common or similar trauma experience type. So, when a peer provider shares their story of SUD/SMI with recipient addressing theirs, the potential for the development of a trusting relationship is enhanced. Here, the emotional tool of compassion and intellectual tool of understanding (empathic presence) are utilized to build a bridge where the provider meets the recipient on the trauma side of the bridge helps him/her cross to the recovery side using the well-worn tool of MI that aided and aids the provider in flourishing on the other side of the bridge in recovery.

I agree with the above information. I worked for people who went through trauma in their lives in the national and international setting as a psychotherapist and also a secondary victim of 30 years of civil war and Tsunami; I experienced the impact on my emotional well-being and others during traumatic experiences. One factor I want to incorporate here is "culture." When people are going through traumatic experiences, understanding who they are is an essential component. Sometimes, based on my experiences, talking to them in a language they can understand is more important than implementing evidence-based strategies. #Motivational Interviewing

Empathy builds trust because it allows the client to feel psychologically safe with us. Empathy also shows the client that we genuinely like them, think their experiences are valid, and shows that we care. Feeling liked and accepted by your therapist has the ability to create deep and lasting transformation because many of us grow up in conditional relationships with parents and caregivers who judge, shame, and expect appreciation in return for their love. Empathy builds trust because it demonstrates to the receiver that we can feel what they’re feeling and we are not judging or minimizing their experiences like so many other people out in the world do.

Empathy builds trust by using active listening and unconditional positive regard. When people feel seen and heard they start to trust and tell their story. It is very empowering.

Initially, an empathic experience will help a person to feel safe but it will not ensure trust develops. Consistent empathic experiences will allow trust to be built once safety is repeatedly exchanged. Safety and trust are the foundation of any effective relationship. With no relational safety, what is trusted?

In my perspective, empathy means “Empathy is seeing with another’s eyes, listening with another’s ears, and feeling with another’s heart” – Alfred Adler. Sometimes, we need clarification on the concepts of sympathy and empathy. As a human being/psychotherapist, my approach always comes with kindness, active listening, and understanding others. It is a challenging task due to our own bias. According to my worldview, empathy means being there for the person when they truly need you. I believe there is no right or wrong way to show empathy. Just be YOU and be there for others with respect and it will lead to building trust. #Empathy #motivational intervwing #Trust

Empathy, in my opinion, is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes without taking on their burden. This comes with a high level of emotional intelligence, consideration, active listening, and response strategies. Empathy comes from a genuine space and a space that wants to aid in resolve. Empathy also looks like a silent listener, just sharing a space with someone who is alone and afraid. Empathy says, I’m here- I feel you-even if I don’t understand. We don’t have to be experienced in that space to feel and function out of empathy.

In my 26 years as a psychiatrist, I've found empathy to be a powerful antidote to resistance. When we genuinely understand someone's struggles, it's like unlocking a door—they feel heard, seen. Resistance softens with empathy because it says, "I get it, I'm here with you." It paves the way for collaboration and true communication, easing the path toward healing and growth. Empathy breaks down barriers, one understanding moment at a time.

I understand resistance from my clients through understanding their emotions, feelings, and challenges and creating a safer and healthier environment to process it. Each individual is unique, and their thought patterns, world views, and experiences are different; therefore, each experiences resistance differently and reacts to it differently. In my therapeutic setting, I encourage clients to understand where this resistance comes from through respect, kindness, empathy, and creating a safer environment. #Motivational Interviewing

In my perspective, we need motivation to build hope, positive thinking, and goals in life. Furthermore, self-motivation needs more positive energy within you, and it's a challenging task for some individuals based on their life challenges. As a licensed psychotherapist, I experienced that some individuals have a hard time completing their daily essential functions due to their life circumstances. Therefore, if we stop judging people, we can work on our biases to understand and create a safer environment, which will lead to motivating others. #Motivational Interviewing

Empathy plays a role in enhancing motivation as it nutures positive connections and understanding between individuals. There's effective communication, support, and validation involved.

Its important to recognize that professionals would have to work with ambivalence at times with clients dealing with trauma so empathy is essential to help these clients become more comfortable in dealing with trauma.