Community Wellness Newsletter

February 2025 | Understanding Trauma-Informed Care

Welcome to the February edition of the Community Wellness Newsletter from New Leaf

Family Services & Wellness Center. Each month we share mental health education, community

impact updates, and resources that support wellness and stability for individuals and families

throughout our community.

This month’s focus is Trauma-Informed Care, an important approach that helps individuals

heal by recognizing how past experiences can affect emotional, physical, and behavioral health.

What Is Trauma-Informed Care?

Trauma-informed treatment is a therapeutic framework that shifts the question from “What’s

wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”.

This approach recognizes that many individuals have experienced trauma at some point in their

lives and that these experiences can influence how they think, feel, and respond to situations.

Rather than focusing only on symptoms, trauma-informed care prioritizes safety, trust, and

empowerment, helping individuals feel supported while working toward healing. By creating

respectful and collaborative environments, this approach helps prevent re-traumatization and

encourages positive change.

At New Leaf, we strive to create spaces where clients feel safe, heard, and understood as they

work through challenges and build resilience.

Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Care

According to guidance from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA), trauma-informed care is guided by six key principles:

Safety

Ensuring physical and emotional safety for both clients and staff.

Trustworthiness & Transparency

Building trust through open communication and clear decision-making.

Peer Support

Encouraging connection with individuals who share similar experiences.

Collaboration & Mutuality

Working in partnership with clients and recognizing that healing is a shared process.

Empowerment & Choice

Helping individuals recognize their strengths and giving them a voice in their treatment and care.

Cultural, Historical, & Gender Awareness

Understanding the impact of culture, history, and identity on personal experiences and trauma.

The Four R’s of a Trauma-Informed Approach

Trauma-informed care is often guided by four key actions:

Realize

Understanding that trauma is common and can have lasting effects.

Recognize

Identifying the signs and symptoms of trauma in individuals.

Respond

Integrating trauma awareness into services, practices, and policies.

Resist Re-traumatization

Avoiding situations or practices that may trigger painful past experiences.

These principles help ensure that care and support services promote healing rather than

unintentionally causing further harm.

Community Impact in Practice

At New Leaf Family Services & Wellness Center, trauma-informed principles guide how we

support individuals facing behavioral health challenges and life transitions.

Our work includes:

 Behavioral health and therapeutic support

 Psychosocial rehabilitation and life-skills development

 Transportation assistance through bus passes

 Referrals for transitional housing programs

 Food and clothing pantry support (based on availability)

 Nevada ID and Social Security application assistance

 Community referrals for families and individuals in need

These services help individuals build stability while developing the emotional and practical skills

needed for long-term wellness.

Client Perspective

Many individuals who seek support have experienced situations that shaped how they cope with

stress or emotional challenges. By approaching care with compassion and understanding, clients

often begin to see themselves differently.

“I didn’t realize how much my past experiences were affecting how I reacted to things. Learning

about trauma and how it impacts behavior helped me understand myself better and start making

positive changes.”

— New Leaf Client

Wellness Tip of the Month

Understanding Triggers

Certain situations, sounds, or experiences can sometimes remind individuals of past trauma.

These are known as triggers.

Healthy ways to manage triggers include:

 Practicing deep breathing or grounding exercises

 Identifying safe and supportive environments

 Talking with a counselor or trusted support person

 Developing coping strategies that promote calm and stability

Understanding triggers is an important step toward emotional awareness and healing.

Message from Our Founder

At New Leaf, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to heal and grow. Trauma-

informed care reminds us that behind many behaviors are experiences that deserve compassion

and understanding. By creating environments of safety and trust, we can help individuals move

forward with confidence and hope.

— Michane Staples

Founder, New Leaf Family Services & Wellness Center

Looking Ahead

In our next newsletter, we will explore practical strategies for managing stress and anxiety in

everyday life, including techniques that support emotional balance and resilience.

Thank you for being part of our community and supporting the work we do to promote wellness

and stability for individuals and families throughout the Las Vegas area.