Trauma-Informed Practices for Postsecondary Education: A Guide

This guide is intended to raise awareness of trauma in postsecondary education institutions, help educators understand how trauma affects learning and development, and provide practical advice for how to work effectively with college students who have been exposed to trauma. It can be used by classroom educators, as well as administrative and student services professionals, all of whom play a critical role in creating supportive learning environments.

The first section of the guide defines trauma and describes its prevalence. The second section provides research evidence regarding the impacts of trauma on learning and development, followed by guidance on how to recognize trauma in learners. The next several sections describe the concept of resilience and provide suggestions for implementing research-based strategies to meet the needs of trauma-affected learners on campus and in the classroom. The final section discusses the importance of selfcare for educators to avoid retraumatization, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue.