Jax Wechsler
 [email protected] | @jacwex TRAUMA INFORMED 
 DESIGN RESEARCH 

Jax Wechsler [email protected] | @jacwex https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinewechsler/ 

Photo by Jesse Bowser on Unsplash Talk Overview • Lets talk about Trauma • Key concepts relating to Trauma • 5 Principles of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) • How HCD Research can cause harm • TIC Principles in Design Practice • Resources 

http://bit.ly/DesignJusticeOverview Lets talk about Design Justice DISCLAIMER! 

Defining trauma “an event, a series of events or a set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.” SRC: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. Rockville2014. (SMA) 14-4884 Definition. Photo by Kristina Tripkovic on Unsplash 

Some types of trauma Acute Trauma Chronic Trauma Complex Trauma Relational Trauma PTSD Photo by Anandu Vinod on Unsplash Intergenerational Trauma Collective Trauma Racialised Trauma Vicarious Trauma Traumatic Stress ….. 

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Loss of control Betrayal Confusion Helplessness Pain Loss Abuse of Power Circumstances typically involve Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash 

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash Many people with Lived Experience of Mental Health challenges have experienced Trauma 

Trauma is embodied Photo by Goh Rhy Yan on Unsplash 

Trauma healing is relational Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash 

Trauma is intergenerational Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash encoded in our DNA, through families”
 - Resmaa Menakem “ 

Australia by Sergey Demushkin from the Noun Project 65% of Australians are expected to experience trauma at some stage of their life 

Photo by Ondrej Machart on Unsplash …we know we cannot live in the past 
 but the past lives in us’ 
 -Dr Charles Nelson Perrurle Perkins in One Night the Moon 2001). “ 

Trauma informed practice 
 is a strengths-based framework that supports responsiveness to the impact of trauma, enabling physical, psychological, and emotional safety for both providers and survivors. Photo by Karson on Unsplash 

https://www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/561977/ ACI-Mental-Health-Trauma-informed-care-mental-health-NSW.pdf The 5 Principles of 
 Trauma Informed Care 

Human Centred Design
 Research
 can cause harm for
 people who have 
 experienced trauma Photo by Kenrith Mills on Unsplash 

Photo by Stefano Pollio on Unsplash Trauma interferes with the proper functioning of brain areas that manage and interpret experience… - Bessel van der Kolk “ 

Trauma informed practices are critical for good HCD practice Photo by thom masat on Unsplash 

TRAUMA INFORMED 
 PRACTICE
 Key Concepts Photo by Billy Huynh on Unsplash 

• To feel safe • To feel in control • To express their emotions • To know what comes next
 
 (Office for Victims of Crimes, 2001, Using a Trauma-Informed Approach Photo by Matthew Waring on Unsplash What do trauma survivors need? 

Photo by Jakub Balon on Unsplash Appreciative Inquiry Being Strength Based 

Photo by Etienne Boulanger on Unsplash Disclosure 

Photo by Michael Olsen on Unsplash Triggers 

Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash Re-traumatisation 

Photo by Kat J on Unsplash Duty of care 

Photo by Ian on Unsplash Vicarious Trauma 

Photo by Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash Collaboration 

Photo by mostafa meraji on Unsplash Cultural Safety 

Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash All in! 

Signs of Distress Physical signs • a person turning pale • breathing fast/panting breaths • dilated pupils • shivers or feeling cold • profuse sweating Look by Alice Design from the Noun Projec Other signs • Difficulty concentrating • Difficulty remembering • Confusion • Disorientation • Irritability • Anxiety • Restlessness Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash 

You can help someone move through anxiety and come back to the present moment by (1) asking them to name the objects in the room (2) state the date and time (3) invite them to feel their in and out-breath (4) fidget toys e.g. plasticine - somatic comfort First Aid icon by Linseed Studio from the Noun Project Meeting Distress Photo by Colin Watts on Unsplash 

Lets talk about
 DESIGN PRACTICE 

put the wellbeing of the person in front of you before your research objectives. ALWAYS IMMOVABLE RULE Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash 

The 5 Principles of 
 Trauma Informed Care 

+ GETTING THERE + LOCATION 
 + TRIGGERS 
 + CULTURAL SAFETY SAFETY Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash + INTERVIEWS + FEEDBACK
 + AFTER 


 +STOPPING
 + PARTICIPATION 
 CHOICE Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash + OPTIONS 
 + FLEXIBILITY 

+ BIAS 
 + CONNECTION 
 + LANGUAGE 
 EMPOWERMENT Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash + CAPACITY + CO-DESIGN 
 + POWER 

+ CLARITY 
 + PRIVACY
 + TRANSPARENCY + CADENCE 
 TRUSTWORTHINESS Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash + INTERACTIONS 
 + OPENNESS + POWER DIFFERENTIALS 
 + ALLIES 

+ OTHERS 
 + REIMBURSEMENT 
 + CULTURAL SAFETY
 + VOICE ELEVATION COLLABORATION Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash + ENGAGEMENT + FOLLOW THROUGH + PARTNERING 

Recruit Physical 
 Space Engage After Plan Design Research Process Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash 

Identify SMEs, allies and advocates Pre-work / sensitisation activity Trauma informed charter What are my assumptions? Community involvement in planning Planning by Justin Blake from the Noun Project Identify safe and appropriate locations Bring broader team/ client on the journey Do your background work. Photo by sanjiv nayak on Unsplash Plan Space for adaptation Opportunities to connect 

Ask what may be needed to create ease when participating If not selected - not an abandonment experience Clearly outline what is expected Work with allies/ partners - channels of safety Might you offer choice in how to engage e.g. online, in-person etc. Recruitment by Adrien Coquet from the Noun Project Transparency about the research/project Check location is appropriate and culturally safe A safe person/ worker? Flexibility in schedule Photo by reza shayestehpour on Unsplash Recruit Ask about triggers? 

Door is visible Inviting 
 and comfortable Appropriate
 (not institutional) + culturally safe Fidget toys - things to hold/ play with
 place by Qomariyah from the Noun Project Water Allow people to sit where they want Photo by Jessica Knowlden on Unsplash Physical
 Space 

Longer duration of interviews Show hospitality Include breaks Ask for permission to move to next topics Go at their pace Never force sharing be aware of nonverbal cues Build in choice & flexibility Non- linearity Visuals and art “It’s OK to stop” Be patient dialogue by Bernar Novalyi from the Noun Project Validate/ repeat what you hear Strengths Based / Appreciative Inquiry Appropriate Language Photo by mohammad alizade on Unsplash Engaging 

Follow up counselling services for participants Team Debriefs Follow up counselling services for your team Next by Alice-vector from the Noun Project Payment!!! Closing the loop Photo by Kushagra Kevat on Unsplash After Writing can help you debrief Ensure there is time for team self care 

Photo by Dan Dimmock on Unsplash https://bit.ly/3lokS3s Resources On my blog 

# Lets
 start a 
 movement 

Thank You! Jax Wechsler | [email protected] | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinewechsler/ @jacwex