ABSTRACT
The Sanctuary Model, a “whole of culture” trauma-informed care model, originated in the Philadelphia area of the USA in the 1980s. It was developed by psychiatrist Sandra Bloom and her colleagues Joe Federaro and Ruth Ann Ryan. The origins of the model can be found in Dr Bloom’s care of a young college student whom she referred to as “Dawn”, who suffered with unexplained memory losses, chaotic relationships, sexual difficulties, anxiety, bouts of depression, and feelings of worthlessness. Dawn disclosed having grown up in a family where her father was physically and emotionally abusive towards both her mother and her brother, but she denied suffering any abuse herself. Dr Bloom treated Dawn with a form of “non-directive therapy” for several years, with Dawn taking the lead in sessions. Eventually, Dawn moved away to another city, where she found another therapist when her difficulties re-surfaced.
