ICDVP Trauma-Informed Care 2

Question 1

What is the 'window of tolerance' in trauma-informed care?

Accepted Answer

The optimal zone of arousal in which a person can process experiences effectively

Answer

The window of tolerance refers to the zone of nervous system activation where a person can engage, learn, and process effectively — outside this window, they may be hyper- or hypo-aroused.

Question 2

Which trauma response involves the nervous system shifting into a state of numbness, collapse, or freeze rather than fight or flight?

Accepted Answer

Hypoarousal

Answer

Hypoarousal is a shutdown or freeze response in which the nervous system disengages, often manifesting as numbness, dissociation, or collapse when a threat feels inescapable.

Question 3

How does applying a 'trauma lens' improve a domestic violence advocate's practice?

Accepted Answer

It helps advocates understand survivor behavior as adaptive responses to trauma rather than deficits

Answer

A trauma lens reframes survivor behaviors — such as returning to an abuser or appearing uncooperative — as understandable adaptations to chronic trauma rather than personal failures.

Question 4

Which of the following best represents the trauma-informed principle of 'collaboration and mutuality'?

Accepted Answer

Power differences between staff and survivors are minimized and healing happens in relationships

Answer

Collaboration and mutuality emphasizes that trauma healing occurs in genuine relationships and that power imbalances between providers and survivors must be recognized and actively reduced.

Question 5

The concept of 'somatic experiencing' in trauma work is based on the understanding that:

Accepted Answer

Trauma is stored in the body and healing involves releasing physiological tension

Answer

Somatic experiencing, developed by Peter Levine, recognizes that trauma is held in the body as unresolved physiological activation, and healing involves safely discharging that stored tension.

(ICDVP) Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals Practice Test

(ICDVP) Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals Practice Test

ICDVP Trauma-Informed Care 2