TiD Moment: What is Trauma-informed Design?

Introducing TiD Moments

The Trauma-informed Design (TiD) Society is pleased to launch TiD Moments.

We will be sharing brief messages focusing on Trauma-informed Design concepts, current events, and relevant topics of particular interest to the TiD community. These will address concepts central to the TiD Framework, tips for practitioners, regulation techniques, facilitation tools, and new information grounded in our evolving understanding of trauma-informed approaches and their application to design.

We hope you find these to be valuable insights and additions to your toolbox as you engage in this vital transdisciplinary field.

TiD Moment

What is Trauma-informed Design?

Trauma-informed design (TiD) is the practice of integrating the principles of trauma-informed care, as originally established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and continually evolving, into design. The goal is improving long-term health and opportunity outcomes for individuals, by preventing traumatization in the first place and reducing the impacts and chances of re-traumatization for those who have already experienced trauma. This requires realizing how the physical environment affects identity, worth, and dignity, and how it promotes empowerment.

In order to truly create a space that will support healing in survivors, it is important to cultivate an understanding of the people who will use the space, their identities, culture, and what is important to them, as well as the surrounding community. That understanding can then be used to anticipate and mitigate stressors and potential triggers, maximize choice, and create a safe, comfortable environment. As the users of the space develop a sense of safety, they can build resilience, strengthen their ability to emotionally regulate, and better access new opportunities.

The Trauma-informed Design Society is a transdisciplinary team that merges its leadership team's extensive experience in human services, interior design, and research with an understanding of trauma science, to help individuals and organizations implement a trauma-informed approach in their services and create stress-reducing physical spaces. We work to ensure Trauma-informed Design practitioners have access to the latest research and resources, so they can apply TiD to their projects with fidelity. To reach this goal, we operate in four main areas: research; the development of standards; professional development; and consultation through sister organizations.