CRC CRC Trauma-Informed Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The 'window of tolerance' concept in trauma-informed care refers to:
- The amount of time a client can tolerate a coaching session
- The optimal zone of arousal where a person can process information and experiences effectively (Correct answer)
- A client's tolerance for hearing difficult feedback
- The length of time between trauma and treatment
Correct answer: The optimal zone of arousal where a person can process information and experiences effectively
The window of tolerance describes the zone of arousal in which a person can engage, process, and integrate experiences without becoming dysregulated.
Question 2: Hyperarousal in a trauma response can appear as:
- Emotional numbness and withdrawal
- Hypervigilance, irritability, and panic (Correct answer)
- Excessive sleeping and low energy
- Difficulty making decisions
Correct answer: Hypervigilance, irritability, and panic
Hyperarousal is associated with a revved-up nervous system, presenting as hypervigilance, panic, irritability, and difficulty calming down.
Question 3: When a trauma survivor is triggered during a coaching session, the FIRST thing a recovery coach should do is:
- Explore the trauma in depth
- Ground the client in the present moment using simple techniques (Correct answer)
- Refer the client to a therapist immediately
- Document the trigger in the client file
Correct answer: Ground the client in the present moment using simple techniques
Grounding techniques bring a triggered client back to the present moment and help stabilize their nervous system before continuing.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of a simple grounding technique a recovery coach might use?
- Encouraging the client to describe the traumatic event in detail
- Asking the client to name five things they can see in the room (Correct answer)
- Prescribing a relaxation medication
- Reviewing the client's relapse prevention plan
Correct answer: Asking the client to name five things they can see in the room
The 5-4-3-2-1 sensory grounding technique uses present-moment awareness of senses to help a person regulate their nervous system.
Question 5: Trauma-informed care recognizes that substance use disorders often develop as:
- A moral failing or character defect
- An attempt to cope with unresolved trauma and emotional pain (Correct answer)
- A purely genetic condition unrelated to experience
- A lifestyle choice without underlying causes
Correct answer: An attempt to cope with unresolved trauma and emotional pain
Research shows that many individuals use substances as a way to cope with the emotional and physical pain of unresolved trauma.
Question 6: The principle of 'trustworthiness and transparency' in trauma-informed care means a recovery coach should:
- Share confidential client information with all team members
- Be clear and honest about processes, decisions, and expectations (Correct answer)
- Allow clients to read all clinical notes
- Avoid making any commitments to clients
Correct answer: Be clear and honest about processes, decisions, and expectations
Trustworthiness requires coaches to be transparent about how services work, what to expect, and why decisions are made, building a foundation of safety.
CRC CRC Trauma-Informed Care 2
The 'window of tolerance' concept in trauma-informed care refers to: