1. Trauma Informed Practice
Johnson County Bench Bar Conference
April 3, 2019
Kay McCarthy

2. What we will cover Recognize Understand Learn Identify Care
Care for you and your staff who must deal with client trauma daily
Identify
Identify ways you can reduce and address the trauma from client intake to appearance in court.
Learn
Learn how to collaborate with other professionals to improve how your client deals with the current legal situation, and to set them up for success when litigation is complete
Understand
Understand how the trauma impacts and complicates your client’s interaction with you and the legal system
Recognize
Recognize the impact trauma (physical, emotional, psychological, violent) has on your client and others involved
What we will cover

3. Our Parent’s Response to Trauma
Here's a dime kid...go call someone who cares.
Stop crying before I give you something to cry about!
You're not made of sugar, you won't melt.
You'll live.
You brought this on yourself.
I suppose you think you are special, Lady Jane.
Get up, you’re not hurt
Rub some dirt on it

4. What is Trauma Informed Practice?

5. What’s Wrong With You?

6. What is Trauma
Event: An event, series of events, or set of circumstances
Experienced: By an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and
Effect: That have lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional or spiritual well-being

7. Why does it matter to me as the attorney?

8. Impact of Trauma on Case Outcomes
Ability to provide accurate information
Ability to relay important details about their case
Ability to commit to their story
Ability to respond to the other party
How clients present themselves in court or deposition
Impact of Trauma on Case Outcomes

9. What Can We Do? Understand trauma and the impacts of it
Do not cause more trauma
Prepare initially and throughout case

10. Plan Early Physical Space Body Language Explain in Advance
Offer Breaks
Self Soothing
Note Taking
Court Tours
Other Support
Emotional Needs
Safety Planning

11. Challenges to Representation
Avoid Harsh Interactions
Difficulty Listening (Both sides)
What Happened to You
Reacting to their Aggression

12. Watch your interactions for:
Avoid
Model
Humiliating
Harsh
Impersonal
Disrespectful
Critical
Demanding
Judgmental
Kindness
Respect
Patience
Reassurance
Acceptance

13. Difficulty Listening and Following Story
Use Active Listening

14. TELL ME YOUR STORY WHAT HAPPENED?

15. Monitor your reaction to their aggression or hostility

16. KNOW YOUR PERSONAL BIASES
Personal Baggage
Race
Ethnicity
Religion
Economics
Children
KNOW YOUR PERSONAL BIASES

17. ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
Abuse-physical, emotional, social
Neglect-physical or emotional
Mental illness
Violence
Incarceration
Substance abuse
Divorce

18. Frequency of Child Trauma
2/3 of children reported at least 1 traumatic event by age 16
There are 9.1 victims of child abuse and neglect per 1,000 children
Children receiving hospital treatment for assault injuries fills 9 stadiums annually
1 in 4 high school students have been in a physical fight
1 in 6 high school students have experienced cyberbullying

19. Impact of ACEs

20. Establish a good client relationship
Research ACE’s and Trauma
Meet with your professional network
Know the issues: distrust, disassociation, indifference, avoidance, emotional outbursts
Control your own emotions and escalation
Establish a good client relationship

21. Determine What Has Occurred
Type of traumatic experiences
Duration and frequency
Prior interventions
Caregivers
Safety
Trauma triggers
Behavior

22. Determine What Is Needed
Need complete history and info
Professional referrals needed
Developmental assistance
Behavioral interventions
External placements
Court involvement

23. Develop a professional network
Therapist for children
Therapist for families
Co-Parent therapist
Substance abuse evaluation
Psychological evaluation

24. Impact on You and Your Staff
Burnout
Frustration and Anger
Vicarious Trauma

25. What Can You Do? Regular staff meetings Take suggestions Use new ideas
Show gratitude
Therapy
Professional associations
Resiliency groups
Turn off the phone