Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
14:32
Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
25.0K
Trauma-Informed Caregiving with Older Adults: Applying a Conceptual Framework Using an Existential Lens for Practice
Rebecca L Koltz1, Daniel J Koltz2
1Department of Counseling, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 28, 2026
Summary
This paper introduces existential trauma-informed caregiving, integrating psychological and philosophical support for individuals experiencing trauma. This holistic approach enhances person-centered care, particularly for older adults, by fostering purpose and connection.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Existential Philosophy
- Gerontology
Background:
- Trauma disrupts psychological well-being and existential sense of self.
- Traditional trauma-informed care focuses on safety and empowerment.
- Existential concerns include freedom, isolation, meaninglessness, and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore trauma-informed caregiving through an existential lens.
- To integrate psychological insight with existential depth for holistic care.
- To apply this framework to caregiving for older adults.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual framework integrating existentialism and trauma-informed care.
- Emphasis on authentic presence, autonomy, and reframing life experiences.
- Discussion of case studies, practical strategies, and research.
Main Results:
- An expanded trauma-informed approach addressing emotional and philosophical dimensions.
- Enhanced person-centered practices for older adults.
- Promotion of purpose, agency, and connection in caregiving.
Conclusions:
- Existential trauma-informed care offers a compassionate, holistic paradigm.
- This approach benefits both caregivers and care recipients.
- It addresses the profound impact of trauma on existence and meaning.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Psychodynamic Therapy
867
Psychodynamic therapies emphasize the exploration of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences as fundamental contributors to psychological difficulties. These therapies, deeply rooted in Freud's psychoanalytic theory, aim to uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts, granting individuals insights that promote emotional and behavioral healing. Contemporary psychodynamic approaches have evolved, integrating a broader range of influences and methodologies while still valuing the...
867
01:24Humanistic Therapy
494
Humanistic therapies emphasize personal growth, self-understanding, and the fulfillment of human potential. Rooted in the belief that individuals inherently strive toward self-actualization, these approaches encourage clients to explore their feelings and experiences in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. Humanistic therapies differ from psychodynamic approaches by focusing on conscious experiences, present circumstances, and the potential for self-improvement rather than past conflicts...
494
01:27Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
1.4K
Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines a series of stages through which individuals progress across the lifespan. Each stage involves a psychosocial conflict that significantly influences personal growth and well-being. Three key stages — intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair — highlight the developmental challenges faced in adulthood.
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early...
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early...
1.4K
01:15Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch
8.8K
The history of therapeutic communication can be traced back to Florence Nightingale, who emphasized the importance of developing trusting relationships with patients. She taught that the presence of nurses with patients results in therapeutic healing.
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
8.8K
01:17Bonanno's Theory of Grieving
1.3K
Grieving is a complex psychological and emotional process that varies significantly among individuals. George Bonanno's research on bereavement identified four distinct patterns of grieving, offering a nuanced understanding of how people cope with significant loss, such as the death of a spouse, over extended periods. These patterns — resilience, recovery, chronic dysfunction, and delayed grief — highlight the diversity in emotional responses and adaptive mechanisms.
Resilience
Resilience
1.3K
01:25Elements Crucial for Effective Psychotherapy
429
Research has highlighted several critical factors that influence the effectiveness of psychotherapy, such as the therapeutic alliance, the therapist, and the client.
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...
429