The result of the student project is the first Czech publication on trauma-informed approach in social work

We are pleased to present a new professional book entitled Trauma-informedý approach in socialá prá prá prá, which is the first Czech publication dedicated to this topic. It differs from other titles not only in itsým but also in the wayým was created, as it is a studentýsequence;of a professional project carried out in 2019 at the Department of Socialáí prá of the Polytechnicé Collegeé &scaroné Jihlava. The aim of the author's team was not only to provide theoretical insight into the professional public of the givený degree, but also to acquire theé jí degree; a practically orientedý text with suggestions on how to understand and more effectively help vulnerable and at-risk clients in&scaron& í cí huntingý groups. Last but not least, the aim of the book is to contribute to the strengthening of the role and relationship of workers with clients.

We know that no one is immune from ná&yearý situations, and everyoneý fights toughé battles sometimes. Yet, many times, we do notá´ know howá woundedá not only theá clients, but also othersá around them carry, what has affected and affected them in their lives. Why is it so hard for them toá break out of the victimlessá position or to reá the world with hopeá … Why does it seem soáthat we have done everything in our power for ouré clients and yet they fail toé lé pe or returné to their old way of life? (Klepáčková, Krejčí, Černá, 2020:108)

It offers them a newý ú ú hel perspective on clients and their needs, their owný role in the lives of these clients, on theý significance and possibleý nose of theá delicateé relationship and soé the possibilities of how to understand, support and help clients affected by trauma (Klepáčková, Krejčí, Černá, 2020).

It is recognized that many clients haveá needs related to the experience ofá or experiencingáexperiencedý trauma and would benefit from access toý andý interventionsý that reflect this reality (Wilson et al., 2013 in Klepáchková, Krejcá, Cernyá, 2020:10). Trauma-informedý approach ináak can beánose for all clients regardless of their lifeáhistory. Its useá in practice is notá directed only to those whose pain or strá dá are evidentá or known by workersá (Brickel, 2018 in Klepá Krejčá, Černá, 2020:10).

The book is divided into three main sections. In the first, the theory of trauma-informed approach, its main principles and application in socialáá practice, as well as otheráá relatedáá concepts are described in an understandable form. Also included are chapters on the role of the social worker and client support in working with (not only) traumatized clients or the possible risks of this approach. The secondý sectioný is devoted to the useý of this approach in the worký with selectedý groups, which includeý adultsý withý seriousý mental& illnessý peopleý affectedý homeácím náforceím, adultátáwounded´ or abusedávan´ in childhoodá, peopleáhomeless, families ofáilláor injuredáchildrená and people inácustody. The thirdý sectioní bringsá &scaron& í view and experience of seven Czechý and foreigný professionalý workers from practice.

In addition to the theoreticalých findings, the book also bringsé&scaron& í specificétní suggestions for practice or recommendations for service providers thaté take into account not only the specifics of the situation and experiences ofání traumatizedý or vulnerable clients in general, but also of a givené cíhuntingé group.

How well a client has survived a particular traumatic event, what strengths and assets a givená experience has helped him develop, how his resilience has contributed to his healing or posttraumaticá growth – these aspects should not be worked on;k pay less attention than it does to the needs and weaknesses of that client or the negative impact of their life experiences (The Trauma Toolkit, 2013 in Klepáá, Krejcá, Cherná, 2020:44).

Help them recognize how previous experiences can influence howý they are connected to the world today, and acquireý a trustingý relationship in whichéIn which they can try to build a safer&scaron& í life for themselves – prá this may be the most important&scaron& í service we can provide them (Knight, 2015:27 in Klepáchková, Krejčí, Černá, 2020:39).

While this approach might, by itsýnýsound, make it appear that it isáný a method designed forúsomeýdefinedécounselling&or&therapy&or&requiringáspecializedýpractice, it is not. In itsé essence, trauma-informedý approach is aé outé rooté ofé positiveé valuesé and principles of the field of socialé practice, and manyé workersé useé elements of ité in theiré practice quite naturally and intuitively. It is not a set of necessary procedures or precise steps, but first and foremost a model and philosophy of practice that is universally applicable. Abroad, the trauma-informedý approach began to be used in the field of socialá prá prá more than 30 years ago, in the currenté field; Nowadays, it has been applied in the health, education and justice sectors and is still developing. Theý&hundred&focus&on&pathology&and&scaron&en&symptom&resolution&emphasizes&the&client's&strengths,&resilience&and&the&development&of&healthy&skills.

It is basedý on an understanding of trauma and its potential impact; emphasizes the physicalé, psychologicalé and emotionalé safetyé of clients and service providers; and developsá traumatizedý individuals the opportunity to rebuild a sense of self´ control and empowerment(Hopper, Bassuk, Olivet, 2010 in Klepá, Krejcá, Cherná, 2020:21). The ability to be able to recognize the presence of trauma symptoms, to acknowledge the role that trauma can play in the life of a given person, and to recognize the role that trauma can play in the life of a given person;of the individual and for the service provider, and to adapt practice appropriately to this knowledge (SAMHSA, 2014 in Klepácková, Krejcá, Cernyá, 2020:21).

Even those who do not work with the most vulnerable client groups in this regard, e.g. victims of náforcesí, due to the prevalence of trauma in the population in theiré practice, they commonly encounter clients with a history of traumaálostí (Klepáchková, Krejčí, Černá, 2020:7) and we believe that the book can be a useful source of interesting information for them as well.

We wish you a stimulating read and hope that the book will be an inspiration to workers in practice, not only for their professionaláln´ but also for their personalá life, and an encouragement in their dailyálnáci.

 

Olga Klepáčková, Zuzana Krejčí, Martina Černá
authorý collective