Trauma-informed interventions in social work: ethical grounding, philosophical reflections, and interdisciplinary practices

Abstract

Trauma-informed care is a vital paradigm of modern social work, which enforces the imperatives of ethical practice, context-awareness, and human-oriented interventions. In this paper, five trauma-informed interventions—The Sanctuary Model, the ARC Framework, Narrative Exposure Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Somatic Experiencing—are examined interdisciplinarily in a synthesis of counseling theory, ethics, and philosophy. Each intervention is discussed regarding its theoretical framework, practical application, ethical concerns, and philosophical implications. Through the blending of practice and reflection, this paper encourages a paradigm of trauma-informed practice that respects client self-determination, promotes safety, and resists pathologizing narratives. The paper also suggests the importance of cultural awareness, ethical responsibility, and systemic awareness in the processing of individual and collective trauma. Implications for social work education, policy, and practice are discussed, including the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue and reflective practice in the facilitation of trauma-informed practice.