Episode Summary: In the second episode of The Inked Therapist's trauma arc, Del Knight goes beyond the language of trauma-informed care to examine what the framework actually requires — and what it's been diluted into by the wellness industry, corporate HR departments, and providers who adopted the vocabulary without building the structure. Drawing on SAMHSA's Six Principles of Trauma-Informed Care, this episode gives listeners a concrete framework for evaluating whether the care they're receiving is genuine, what they're allowed to expect and ask for, and what to do when a provider claims trauma-informed care but doesn't demonstrate it.

Topics Covered: Origins of trauma-informed care · Judith Herman's foundational work · SAMHSA's Six Principles (safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, cultural responsiveness) · Co-optation by wellness and corporate sectors · Language vs. structural commitment · What genuine trauma-informed therapy looks like in session · Client rights · Rupture and repair · Leaving therapeutic relationships that aren't working · Cultural responsiveness as clinical requirement

Framework Cited: SAMHSA's Six Principles of Trauma-Informed Care — samhsa.gov

Referenced Works: Trauma and Recovery — Judith Herman

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Next Episode: Episode 10 — 'What Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy Actually Looks Like'