1. Presented by: Darby Penney and Cathy Cave
Peer Engagement Guide for Women Trauma Survivors
Under Development by SAMHSA’s
National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC)
Presented by: Darby Penney and Cathy Cave

2. SAMHSA’s National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC)
Provides technical assistance to publicly funded systems and organizations to build awareness and promote implementation of trauma informed systems and supports:
Behavioral health
Criminal/juvenile justice
Homeless programs
Learning collaboratives
Gatherings of people seeking trauma support

3. NCTIC and Peer Leadership
Unique commitment to promote peer/survivor leadership in trauma-informed systems change through:
Public education and community outreach
Workforce Development, including Peer Specialist Training
Peer-developed products
Organizational development within peer-run services and supports
Strategic planning for integration of peer/survivor voice across all health and human services systems

4. Peer Engagement Strategies
Continue to build dialogue and awareness within consumer/survivor communities about trauma and its impact
Address trauma in the context of mental health and substance use recovery

5. Peer Engagement Strategies
Create learning communities to enhance consumer/survivor voice and increase knowledge
Develop peer trauma champions at the national/state/local levels to ensure integration of peers in systems’ change activities.

6. Why Women?
Why Now?

7. Peer Engagement Guide Overview
Part 1: Fundamentals:
What is Trauma?
Trauma-informed services and supports
Am I a Trauma Survivor? Applying this concept to self and others
Introduction to Peer Support
Gender Politics; Criminalization of Women
Cultural Considerations 7

8. Peer Engagement Guide Overview
Part 2. Moving Into Action
Trauma & Peer Support relationships
Self Awareness/Self-care
Organizational contexts
Trauma-informed Peer Support Practices
Leadership, Power, Social Action
Trauma Across the lifespan
Religion and Spirituality

9. What is Trauma?
An external threat that overwhelms a person’s coping resources
May result in long-term emotional and/or physical distress
Normal response to extreme events

10. Some Sources of Trauma
Sexual, emotional, and/or physical abuse or neglect in childhood
Interpersonal violence in adulthood:
Rape, sexual assault
Domestic violence
Psychological, emotional, and verbal abuse
Assault, other violent crimes (experienced or witnessed)

11. Some Sources of Trauma
Historical/generational trauma; racism, genocide, forced immigration/migration
Catastrophic injuries, illnesses
Institutional abuse (including coercion)
War
Natural disasters
Terrorism

12. Impact of Trauma Shatters trust, sense of safety
Often results in feelings of shame, guilt, rage, isolation & disconnection

13. Impact of Trauma Feelings of Powerlessness Loss of voice
Loss of choice
Not feeling safe
Loss of control over what happens to you

14. Research shows that the vast majority of people with psychiatric diagnoses, substance abuse problems, and/or criminal justice involvement are trauma survivors

15. Trauma-informed Services & Supports
Ask “What happened to you?” NOT “What’s wrong with you?”
Eliminate practices that can re-traumatize people
Can be applied to any service setting

16. Trauma-informed Services & Supports
Emphasize:
Safety
Choice
Trustworthiness
Collaboration
Empowerment

17. Trauma-specific Interventions
Designed to treat the aftermath of trauma
EMDR
Systematic desensitization
Groups/curricula such as
Seeking Safety
TREM

18. Understanding Cultural Considerations
Trauma survivors are found across all systems
Culture counts in what, where, and whom is viewed as helpful
Disparities exist
Discussion : the centrality of trauma in people’s lives

19. TRAUMA Family & Extended Family English Language Proficiency
PRIMARY dimensions influence “who” an individual is.
Geographic
Location
SECONDARY dimensions influence an individual’s participation.
Family & Extended Family
English Language Proficiency
Community Networks C O N S I D E R A T
Employment
Culture + History Knowledge/Experience
Class C U L T R A
Income
Economics
Gender
Marital Status
Language
Age
Perceptions of Physical Qualities
Ethnicity
Political Context
Self-identification
Education
TRAUMA
Geographic Location
This is a sampling of the cultural influences in a person’s life
Primary dimensions influence how a person self identifies.
Secondary dimensions influence community participation and personal resources. Each individual has their own sense of what these considerations are and the importance of each of these influences. Influences are fluid. Trauma cuts across these connections leaving isolation and disconnection.
Individuals have multiple memberships and membership is fluid. Give example of membership priority changing in given circumstances or environments.
Trauma cuts across those memberships, impacting lives in profound ways.
Country of Origin
Literacy
Race
Sexual Orientation
Parental Status
Immigration Status
Physical Abilities
Military Experience
Spiritual Beliefs

20. Challenges Stereotyping We all have biases
It may be difficult to see and understand differing cultural perspectives

21. Challenges
Individual cultural identities can be minimized in effort to create belonging
Individual cultural identities can mistakenly be viewed as less relevant than the shared lived experience of surviving trauma

22. Cultural Views
Culturally, people have different beliefs and understanding:
Cause and effect
Justice
Relationship to self and others
Power
Trauma impacts these beliefs
What “surviving” means and how we cope is constantly evolving

23. Peer Support Basics
“Peer”: an equal, someone who has faced similar challenges
“Support”: encouragement, empathy, information & assistance

24. Peer Support Is…
People from diverse backgrounds who share a common experience come together to:
Share their strengths
Help each other cope and grow
Find understanding among like-minded people

25. Principles of Peer Support
Voluntary
Reciprocal
Non-judgmental
Respectful
Direct, honest communication
Power-sharing
Mutual responsibility

26. Peer Support Not about diagnoses or symptoms
Rooted in compassion for self & others
Promotes growth & healing by:
Taking action
Building relationships among a community of equals

27. Peer Support is… Not just structured self-help groups or
1-1 interactions
Also:
Education
Advocacy
Activities: arts, sports, cultural, etc.
Informal support
Internet and social media

28. Trauma-Informed Peer Support
All the basic tenets of peer support are
enacted through a cultural lens
Respects each individual’s ability to name and make meaning of their own experiences
Understands the dynamics of difference and perspectives about power and conflict

29. Trauma-Informed Peer Support
Driven by survivors’ voice and choice
Focuses on collaborative problem-solving, mutual growth, exploration and learning

30. Trauma-informed Peer Support
Sees “coping strategies,” not “symptoms”
Focuses on building relationships, not on controlling or eliminating behaviors
Negotiates relationships based on mutual needs and comfort levels

31. Trauma-informed Peer Support
Appreciates strengths and capabilities
Supports survivors’ decision-making
Consciously avoids re-traumatization

32. Self-Care for Peer Supporters
Protecting your empathy
Know the impact of trauma on your life
Be aware of experiences, sounds, sights, smells, and environments that are personally relevant
Know your limits
Proactively develop and use personal strategies
Get and keep a life
Have a social network
Create down time

33. Let’s Hear From You
How might the Peer Engagement Guide be helpful to you?
Is there something missing?

34. Presenter Info Darby Penney Cathy Cave
TEL: ;
Cathy Cave
TEL: ;