Trauma-Informed Care
Transforming Treatment for People Who Have Sexually Abused
by Jill Levenson, Gwenda Willis & David Prescott

This groundbreaking book is an important addition to every clinician’s training in trauma-informed care (TIC).  The authors provide a definition of TIC and then examine the cross-disciplinary research on the impact of childhood trauma on cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral development.

“I believe that our relationships with clients can be incredibly healing, and that effective interventions start with a human connection. Trauma-informed care is the consolidation of knowledge, skills, and empathy for clients that has the power to change lives.” — Jill Levenson

Organized around the four core guiding principles of TIC set forth by the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the authors’ goal in writing this book was to empower clinicians working with people with sexual behavior problems to adopt a collaborative and dynamic process-oriented approach that uses the therapeutic encounter as a corrective emotional experience, ultimately leading to more effective treatment.

The book shows how trauma-informed care is applied in various settings, particularly in the criminal justice system. The book the following addresses key areas:

• Impact of trauma on individuals
• Principles of trauma-informed care
• Importance of creating safe and supportive environments
• Need for a holistic and integrated approach to care

In addition to the topics above, it also focuses on understanding the cultural and historical legacy of trauma, and the value of peer support in the therapeutic process.

“…decades of psychological research indicate that a strong therapeutic alliance is the most important element in therapy outcomes, and decades of criminological research indicate that desistance is more likely with stability, positive human relationships, and a sense of belonging that solidifies stakes in conformity.”

Insights from Experienced Professionals

One of the many insights offered by the author team is the reminder to professionals that social services can be disempowering for traumatized clients who may approach services with a mistrust of authority figures and a wariness of professional helpers. Some therapists might interpret this response as hostility or resistance, but trauma-informed clinicians would instead view this attitude as a normal protective reaction when individuals feel vulnerable. The burden is on us to facilitate trust, and it requires a compassionate and respectful way of engaging with clients.

The authors provide insights into how trauma, individual experiences, and broader systemic factors can affect a person's healing process. The book emphasizes the need for therapy to focus on safety, trust, and empowerment. Included are case studies, examples, and practical strategies for dealing with trauma.

The philosophy of the book’s authors is captured in the following quotes from the book:

“Treatment is NOT something we do to clients; it is, rather, a collaborative process that honors self-determination and examines the meaning that clients attach to their experiences. These are cornerstones of TIC.”

“TIC provides a truly responsive way to engage clients who might otherwise never engage in therapy…, ultimately enhancing our efforts to prevent sexual abuse.”

“While other programs follow a particular model oriented towards getting “offenders” to accept complete responsibility for their actions…there is much more to the picture than our clients’ misdeeds. This account is not to minimize the harm of abuse but rather to illustrate its complexity. Indeed, the complexity of abuse is part of what makes it so difficult to recover from, and why we believe this book is so necessary.”

Professionals With Years of Experience

The three authors of Trauma-Informed Care share their insights by drawing from their more than 75 years of combined clinical experience and research. They are also the authors of hundreds of articles, chapters, and books.

Dr. Jill Levenson, Associate Professor of Social Work at Barry University in Miami, Florida has been a licensed clinical social worker for over 30 years and is an internationally recognized expert in Trauma-informed Care.  She is a SAMHSA-certified TIC instructor, and specializes in applying TIC in forensic, clinical, behavior health, and correctional settings.  Dr. Levenson has published over 120 articles, 25 chapters, and 6 books. In 2020 Dr. Levenson was honored to receive the Social Worker of the Year Award from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-FL) Miami-Dade Chapter.

Dr. Gwenda Willis is a Clinical Psychologist with expertise in forensic/correctional psychology research and practice. She has been a faculty member of the School of Psychology at The University of Auckland since 2013. Her research and clinical work focus on strengths-based approaches to psychological assessment and treatment, trauma-informed care and sexual abuse prevention. Gwen is an Editorial Board member for Sexual Abuse and the Journal of Sexual Aggression (JSA) and has received numerous awards and accolades for her research, including the 2012 New Zealand Psychological Society Early Career Goddard Award – Applied Psychology. In 2015, Gwen was awarded a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship.

David Prescott, LICSW, ATSA-F is a mental health practitioner of 38 years and is the Director of the Safer Society Continuing Education Center. He is the author and editor of 25 books in the areas of understanding and improving services to at-risk clients. He is best known for his work in the areas of understanding, assessing, and treating sexual violence and trauma. Mr. Prescott is the recipient of the 2018 National Adolescent Perpetration Network’s C. Henry Kempe Lifetime Achievement award, and the 2022 recipient of the Fay Honey Knopp Award from the New York State Alliance for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and New York State ATSA. Mr. Prescott currently trains and lectures around the world.