What do we mean by trauma informed practice? with Dr Asha Patel

Trauma-informed practice is one of those phrases everyone nods along to – but how many of us truly understand what it means, or what it actually looks like in practice?

Dr. Asha Patel, founder and CEO of Innovating Minds, joins Dale to discuss what we really mean by trauma-informed practice.

"Trauma-informed practice is a way of being. It's not a switch that you can switch on and off."

— Dr. Asha Patel

It starts with the adult being regulated, aware of how they are feeling, and able to offer that calmness to the young person in front of them. You cannot support a dysregulated child if you are dysregulated yourself.

Dale and Asha also explore why the word 'trauma' puts so many people off – and why it shouldn't. Trauma doesn't just mean the most extreme experiences. It is a normal human response to overwhelming situations, and it shows up everywhere, every day. Understanding that changes everything about how you respond to behaviour – because behaviour is always communication, and asking why someone is struggling will always lead somewhere more useful than asking what they have done wrong.

They also discuss why giving someone your undivided attention is one of the most powerful things you can offer, why trauma-informed practice is not about lowering expectations or excusing behaviour, and why the biggest barrier to getting this right is often simply not knowing where to start.

About Dr Asha Patel

Dr Asha Patel is a qualified Clinical Psychologist and the founder and CEO of Innovating Minds, a multi-award-winning social enterprise dedicated to early intervention in mental health. Drawing on her expertise in forensic mental health, Dr Patel launched Innovating Minds in 2016 to bridge the gap between access to clinical expertise within education, health and social care.

A passionate advocate for mental health equity, Dr Patel empowers frontline professionals to deliver trauma-informed psychological services to enable young people to access education, training and employment opportunities.

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