The Power of Trauma-Informed Work to Transform Personal Relationships

This exploratory qualitative study explores the impact that being a facilitator of trauma-informed organizational change through the Sanctuary Model ® may have on personal relationships. Drawing on interviews with Faculty members from the Sanctuary Institute, the training and consulting home of the model, findings suggest that professional engagement with trauma theory and tools significantly enhanced participants’ personal growth, contributing to improved personal relationships. Key themes included how an increased understanding of trauma’s biological and relational effects, coupled with the application of Sanctuary Model Tools in everyday life, led to improved relationships. The findings suggest promising implications for educating the general public on trauma-informed concepts and tools in support of improved interpersonal relationships.