In a study measuring the effectiveness of trauma-informed mindfulness in a sample of female survivors of interpersonal violence, researchers found that participants who were assigned to participate in an 8-week trauma-informed mindfulness program exhibited significantly decreased levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms, depressive symptoms, and anxious attachment compared with the group of participants who did not receive this treatment. 

University of Illinois at Chicago

Trauma-informed mindfulness is a mindfulness practice paired with trauma specific psychoeducation to facilitate awareness of and exposure to conditioned trauma responses, without avoidance or reactivity to those experiences. 

Trauma-Informed Mindfulness 

Kelly, A., & Garland, E. L. (2016). Trauma-informed mindfulness-based stress reduction for female survivors of interpersonal violence: Results from a stage I RCT. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72(4), 311-328. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22273

Trauma-Informed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Female Survivors of Interpersonal Violence: Results From a Stage I RCT

Mindful breathing and body scanning (i.e., meditation) are utilized to activate the autonomic nervous system, enabling individuals to attain an optimal level of arousal for processing traumatic memories and emotions without suppression, dissociation, or flooding.

Mindful Breathing and Body Scanning Used in Trauma-Informed Mindfulness

Trauma-informed mindfulness may involve: 
- Guided meditations (focusing on present moment awareness, rather than sitting still)
- Gentle movement exercises 
- Didactic lecture
- Group discussions
- Observing objects, colors, shapes around oneself

Practices in Trauma-Informed Mindfulness 

Psychoeducation involves providing trauma survivors with information about psychological concepts, their specific problems, and the relationships between thinking, emotion, and behavior. Psychoeducation on the physiological and emotional effect of trauma helps to normalize an individual's experience and provide insight. 

Role of Psychoeducation in Trauma-Informed Mindfulness 

Recent research suggests that mindfulness practices can sometimes cause distress and exacerbate symptoms of anxiety in individuals who have suffered trauma by becoming overwhelmed by flashbacks and heightening their emotional arousal. Sitting still is typical during meditation, however, trauma survivors may find it hard to stay still during this practice which can further worsen symptoms. 

Typical Mindfulness Can Cause Harm in Trauma Survivors

Although Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a gold standard treatment for PTSD, many individuals who suffer from trauma face many barriers when trying to access this type of care including cost, stigma, and geographic inaccessibility. Trauma-informed mindfulness may be a good treatment alternative because once learned it can be used in a variety of circumstances. 

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