Trauma-informed assessment for a trauma-pervasive age

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Trauma significantly impacts physical and psychological health.
• Current diagnostic criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.) have limitations in defining and identifying diverse trauma experiences.
• This can lead to underidentification of trauma, misdiagnosis, and inadequate treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the limitations of current trauma assessment practices.
• To advocate for a more comprehensive and antioppressive approach to psychological trauma assessment.
• To present an application of the American Psychological Association's guidelines for trauma assessment.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific evidence on trauma prevalence and assessment limitations.
• Description of an antioppressive, comprehensive assessment approach grounded in therapeutic assessment.
• Application of the American Psychological Association (2025a) Guidelines for Psychologists in the Assessment of Psychological Trauma in Adults.

Main Results:

• An outlined trauma-informed approach for all stages of assessment, from initial contact to termination.
• Recommendations for integrating antioppressive principles into both the process and content of psychological assessments.
• Emphasis on considering non-"Criterion A" traumas and broader etiological factors.

Conclusions:

• Current assessment practices often overlook trauma, leading to underidentification and potential overdiagnosis of other disorders.
• Modern psychological trends may prioritize speed and symptom focus over comprehensive healing.
• An antioppressive, trauma-informed approach using therapeutic assessment is vital for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.