Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Reactions of Clinicians and Clients Toward Trauma Interventions

Individuals with mental health support needs have higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet the implementation of PTSD treatment interventions in psychiatric rehabilitation settings continues to lag. This article reports an innovative way to reduce barriers in providing trauma-informed care and considers the ways in which administrators, clinicians, and clients respond to addressing trauma in psychiatric rehabilitation settings by discussing their contrasting reactions during and after the implementation of group cognitive behavioral therapy for PTSD. Clients who received structured PTSD treatment reported multiple benefits, including realization, relief, reflection, and relearning. Findings suggest benefits for administrators, clinicians, and clients when PTSD treatment is implemented.