ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors investigate the first corner of the trauma work triad, trauma, and explore its associated basic principles and concepts. This chapter offers a research-informed perspective of the pervasiveness of trauma, outlines the DSM-5’s criteria for experiences that qualify definitively as “traumatic” in nature, discusses various types and conceptualizations of trauma, highlights the connections between trauma and physical health, and provides a strengths-based perspective for clinicians when working with clients impacted by trauma. Case examples are presented to illustrate the concepts, and the chapter concludes with a keyword assessment, list of experiential activities, and supervisory discussion topics.
