Trauma-Informed Safety Intervention: What to Do When You’re Not Sure
By Shannon Heers
You’re sitting across from your client, heart racing just a little faster than usual. Something in what they said set off an alarm inside you—maybe it was a passing comment about not wanting to be here anymore or a vague mention of a plan. You want to help. You care deeply. But your mind is scrambling. What now?
If you’re feeling insecure or unsure about how to handle safety concerns with clients, you’re not alone. Many therapists—especially those newer to private practice—struggle with these moments. Trauma-informed safety intervention can feel like a high-stakes tightrope walk.
Let’s walk through it together.
The Heart of a Trauma-Informed Lens
When we talk about being trauma-informed, we’re referring to a mindset that prioritizes safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment. It’s not a checklist—it’s a framework. And when it comes to safety intervention, it matters more than ever.
Clients who’ve experienced trauma may have had their autonomy taken from them. Being told what to do or threatened with hospitalization can easily re-trigger their trauma. So how do we balance our ethical duty to ensure safety with a compassionate, trauma-sensitive approach?
The answer lies in creating a space where the client feels respected, heard, and involved in their own care—even during a crisis.
Start With Regulation (Yours and Theirs)
If you’re dysregulated, it’s nearly impossible to support someone else effectively. One of the best things you can do in a safety concern moment is take a slow breath. Pause. Ground yourself. Then, help your client co-regulate. You don’t need to jump to action immediately. You can say something like:
“I can see this is hard to talk about. I’m really glad you’re telling me. Let’s slow down together.”
A calm presence is often the most powerful intervention in the room.
Assessing Risk Through a Trauma-Informed Lens
When it’s time to assess for safety risk, approach it like a gentle exploration rather than an interrogation. Use open-ended, non-judgmental language.
Some helpful questions include:
- “When things feel really difficult, what kinds of thoughts come up?”
- “Have you had times when you’ve thought about hurting yourself?”
- “Do you have a plan, or have you taken any steps toward it?”
If your client says yes, stay present. Let them know you’re not alarmed, just gathering information. Stay curious, not panicked.
Safety Plans Over Surprises
If there is risk, and especially if your client has a plan or intent, safety planning becomes essential. But how we do that makes all the difference.
A trauma-informed safety plan:
- Includes the client in all decisions. You’re not doing this to them, you’re doing this with them.
- Builds on the client’s strengths and protective factors. “What has helped you stay safe in the past?”
- Considers their autonomy and agency wherever possible. “What would help you feel more in control right now?”
You might say:
“Let’s figure out a plan that will help you stay safe. I want to make sure you have support outside this space too.”
When Hospitalization Is On the Table
This is the part that makes many therapists freeze. When does it move from safety planning to hospitalization? And how do you do that in a trauma-informed way?
First, know this: hospitalization should be a last resort, not a first reaction. If the client is at imminent risk (they have a plan, means, and intent), then hospitalization may be necessary. But even then, we can still hold our trauma-informed values.
Involve the client in the process as much as possible. Explain each step. Let them call a loved one. Ask what would make the experience feel a little less terrifying.
Whenever possible, frame it as a support system rather than a punishment.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
It’s okay if you don’t feel confident with safety intervention. None of us learned this perfectly in grad school. And let’s be honest—every situation is different, messy, and full of nuance.
That’s why clinical consultation exists. You deserve support too.
If you’ve ever asked yourself:
- “Did I handle that right?”
- “Should I have done more?”
- “What if I overreacted?”
- “What if I didn’t do enough?”
…then clinical consultation is a place to process, learn, and grow.
What You Might Need in a Clinical Consultation
In peer consultation or supervision, bring the messy parts. The uncertainty. The “I think I made a mistake” moments. That’s where growth happens.
Good consultation should help you:
- Reflect on your approach with compassion
- Identify trauma-informed strategies you can use again
- Learn how to develop better safety planning skills
- Feel less alone when you’re navigating ethically gray areas
Your clinical judgment gets stronger every time you ask for feedback.
Building Confidence in Uncertain Moments
No therapist feels 100% sure in every crisis situation. But with experience, support, and a trauma-informed foundation, you can feel more grounded, more compassionate, and more capable.
Here’s what I tell supervisees all the time: It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present.
You care. That’s your starting point. The rest can be learned, practiced, and supported.
You Don’t Have to Be the Expert Right Away
Feeling inexperienced doesn’t make you a bad therapist. It makes you human. And it’s a signal that now might be the time to reach out, ask questions, and connect with experienced clinical supervisors or peers who can help you build your skills.
Ready to Feel More Grounded?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about how to handle safety concerns with your clients, I urge you to schedule a clinical consultation session. You deserve to feel supported, confident, and connected as you do this hard work.
How We Can Help
Let’s talk through the tough stuff—together. Reach out today for a free phone consultation to learn about individual consultation and group consultation options with our experienced clinical supervisors!
Author Bio
Shannon Heers is a psychotherapist, approved clinical supervisor, guest blogger, and the owner of a group psychotherapy practice in the Denver area. Shannon helps adults in professional careers manage anxiety, depression, work-life balance, and grief and loss. Follow Firelight Supervision on Instagram and Facebook.
