Trauma-sensitive rehabilitation counseling: Paradigms and principles

BACKGROUND: Individuals with disabilities are more likely to have experienced trauma over the course of the lifespan, however, these experiences and their impact on individual functioning have yet to be fully recognized within rehabilitation counseling practice, research, and education. OBJECTIVE: The following manuscript outlines trauma-informed principles related to rehabilitation service provision. METHODS: An overview of relevant theories that may be unfamiliar to rehabilitation professionals is included, as well as recommended assessment tools for use in practice and research. CONCLUSIONS: By employing specific tenants of trauma-informed care, infused with traditional rehabilitation practice, rehabilitation counselors are in a unique position to comprehensively address consumers' needs and ultimately foster more constructive outcomes.