A Trauma-Informed Approach to Outpatient Psychiatric Services

A trauma-informed care interdisciplinary team within an outpatient psychiatry practice provides a framework for intentional consideration of the impact of trauma on psychopathology and patient engagement. This column highlights practical ways in which trauma-informed principles have the potential to transform clinical processes, improve patient engagement, improve provider sense of empowerment, and decrease patient emergency department visits and inpatient care utilization. Challenges with program development, implementation, and evaluation are also identified.