TRC Toolkit: IMPLEMENTING TRAUMA RESPONSIVE CARE: INDIVIDUALS

A. EMOTIONAL REGULATION

Emotional Regulation is the ability to manage an individual’s emotional state. When providing care to someone experiencing a distressing emotional state it is important to regulate our own emotions before engaging with the patient. When you feel calm and regulated you can help patients learn skills to regulate themselves. Consider using the Three R’s to prepare yourself before engaging with patients:

Remember the Three Rs

First assure a situation is safe, then...

• Regulate – First, regulate yourself. Breathe. Breathe again. Focus on your own calm energy, and your affect. Be settled as much as you can. Prepare for your energy and the child’s energy to meet. Match the child’s affect and body language, shifting then to positive, caring affect.

• Relate – Engage carefully, and with clear and deliberate respect. Communicate your care and concern for the child. Offer your name, your role, and an explanation of what the next steps are. Continue to offer positive, caring affect.

• Reason – After you’re both regulated and feeling connected, then move on to cognitive strategies like planning, problem solving, processing, etc.

See Appendix G: for a the Three Rs Model

B. WHEN TO TAP OUT

If you find yourself in a power struggle or feeling overwhelmed by a patient or situation, this is a good time to try to switch out with a co-worker. Remind yourself that these cases can be hard and emotionally taxing. Everyone needs breaks and that is okay. Feeling stressed, anxious, elevated, triggered, impatient, reactive, powerless, or stuck are all signs of needing a break.