Teaching Trauma-Related Insight Improves Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Challenging Clients

Abstract

Effective dissemination of treatment methods requires not only training in high-profile interventions but also in cases of conceptualization and treatment planning skills that facilitate use of the interventions. In a series of six studies, the authors tested one training module with 303 paraprofessionals and mental health professionals in various training settings and five countries. Participants completed self-report ratings in response to a challenging acting-out client, both before and after completing a trauma-informed case-formulation exercise. The training intervention led participants to report decreased distress while considering challenging work-related scenarios, increased empathy and caring toward challenging clients, and increased comfort and confidence in their helping roles. In the final two studies, a trauma-informed treatment planning module was added, yielding additional benefit. At follow-up participants reported that the effects persisted and led to improved behaviors toward the clients. Such empirical validation of training methodologies can lead to more reliably effective dissemination.