Free Trauma Informed Survey
50+ Expert Crafted Trauma Informed Survey Questions
Measuring trauma-informed practices helps you create safer, more supportive environments that drive better outcomes for both staff and clients. A Trauma Informed survey pinpoints your team's awareness, policies, and perceptions around trauma, giving you the insights needed to strengthen your approach and build resilience. Load our free template preloaded with practical questions in just a click - or visit our form builder to craft a custom survey if you need a more tailored assessment.
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Top Secrets to Crafting a Trauma Informed Survey That Resonates
Launching a Trauma Informed survey sets the stage for genuine dialogue and safe sharing. When participants see you've considered emotional safety, they answer more honestly. You'll capture insights that guide supportive action, not just data points.
Start with clear, neutral questions. Avoid jargon and judgment - simple language shows you value participants' comfort. Frame each question around choice and consent to honor autonomy. For example, "What do you value most about feeling safe?" invites open reflection.
Next, use scenario-based prompts. Imagine a community health team asking: "How can we improve support during challenging discussions?" This invites concrete feedback that drives real change. Tools like the Survey for Trauma-Informed Systems Change (STISC) can model your structure.
You can also create a quick poll to gauge readiness before a full launch. That initial feedback helps you tweak wording and length. For more models, explore our Trauma Informed Care Survey toolkit.
A 30-item questionnaire built for nurses showed how targeted questions uncover gaps in practice and training. The Development of a Questionnaire for Measuring Trauma-Informed Care of Nurses reported high reliability, proving robust survey design matters. These studies remind us to test wording, order, and response scales with a pilot group. Taking these steps ensures your Trauma Informed survey performs on day one.
5 Must-Know Tips to Avoid Common Pitfalls in Your Trauma Informed Survey
Even the best design can stumble if you skip consent and trigger warnings. Participants need clear explanations of how their answers will be used. Failing to provide a brief consent statement or hiding the survey's purpose can erode trust before you begin.
Watch out for leading or double-barreled questions. For instance, "Do you feel safe and supported in meetings?" forces one answer on two issues. Instead, ask separate questions like "How safe do you feel during meetings?" and "How supported do you feel by leadership?" Breaking these down leads to clearer insights.
Another trap lies in length and format. A PDF with twenty pages can discourage responders, especially those with limited time or bandwidth. Imagine an advocacy group that saw a 20% drop in submissions simply because their survey lacked mobile-friendly design. Keep your Trauma Survey concise, with no more than 15 minutes to complete.
Skipping pilot tests can hide usability issues until it's too late. Research like the Becoming Trauma Informed: Validating a Tool to Assess Health Professional's Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice shows strong results after iterative pilots. Test with a small group and refine wording, response scales, and flow.
Lastly, don't ignore the impact on staff. Studies link trauma-informed surveys to better wellbeing; see An Association Between Implementing Trauma-Informed Care and Staff Satisfaction. Share results with your team to drive culture change. Use this checklist to catch any last-minute oversights before you hit submit.
Trauma History Questions
These questions explore your past experiences to understand the nature and impact of any traumatic events in your life. The goal is to gather context for informed support and to tailor our approach effectively. Trauma Survey
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Have you ever experienced a life-threatening event?
This question establishes whether you have faced situations with extreme danger, which can shape trauma responses and inform care planning.
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At what age did you first encounter a traumatic experience?
Identifying the timing helps assess developmental impacts and guides the selection of age-appropriate interventions.
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What type of trauma did you experience (e.g., physical, emotional, sexual)?
Clarifying the trauma type enables practitioners to apply specialized resources and supports for your needs.
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How many distinct traumatic events would you say you have experienced?
Understanding frequency or repetition informs the potential for complex trauma and the intensity of care required.
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Were any of these events perpetrated by someone you knew?
This question helps distinguish interpersonal trauma, which often has different trust and safety considerations in therapy.
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Have any traumas occurred within a close relationship or family setting?
Family-related trauma can deeply affect attachment patterns and requires sensitive exploration in treatment.
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Did you receive any medical or professional support immediately after the event?
This assesses early interventions received, which can influence long-term coping and recovery paths.
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Have you discussed these experiences with anyone before today?
Knowing prior disclosures helps tailor the support plan and manage expectations around sharing and privacy.
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Do you consider these experiences to have a lasting impact on your daily life?
This helps gauge the current severity and the extent to which trauma still influences functioning.
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Have you ever avoided places or situations because they reminded you of past traumas?
This question uncovers avoidance behaviors common in PTSD and informs exposure-based treatment planning.
Emotional Coping Questions
These questions focus on how you manage emotions related to past trauma and identify coping strategies you currently use. Understanding your emotional regulation helps us tailor interventions to strengthen resilience. Therapy Survey
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How often do you experience intense feelings of anxiety or panic?
Assessing frequency of anxiety informs the need for calming and grounding techniques in your care plan.
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Do you use any specific techniques (e.g., deep breathing, journaling) to calm yourself?
Identifying existing strategies helps us build on your strengths and introduce complementary methods.
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Have you ever used substances to cope with distressing memories or feelings?
This question uncovers potential self-medication, guiding a safe and supportive approach to recovery.
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Do you experience sudden mood swings related to memories of trauma?
Noting mood variability is key to developing emotional regulation tools and stabilizing interventions.
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How comfortable are you expressing emotions like sadness or anger?
Understanding comfort levels with expression directs the pace and style of therapy sessions.
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Have you ever engaged in self-harm as a way to cope?
Screening for self-harm is critical for safety planning and immediate support measures.
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Do you find yourself feeling numb or detached at times?
Dissociation and emotional numbing are common trauma responses that require grounding strategies.
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How often do nightmares or intrusive memories disrupt your sleep?
Sleep disturbances indicate ongoing trauma processing needs and can guide sleep hygiene recommendations.
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Do certain sounds or images trigger a strong emotional reaction?
Identifying sensory triggers helps tailor exposure and coping exercises safely.
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Rate your current overall stress level on a scale of 1 - 10.
A self-rating offers a quick snapshot of distress, which can be tracked over time to measure progress.
Support Systems Questions
This section examines the network of people and resources you rely on for help and understanding. Discovering your existing supports helps us strengthen positive connections. Trauma Informed Care Survey
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Who in your life do you feel most comfortable talking to about difficult topics?
Identifying a trusted confidant informs how we can involve supportive relationships in your healing journey.
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Have you joined any support groups for survivors of trauma?
Learning about group support reveals opportunities to connect you with communities that understand your experiences.
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How satisfied are you with the emotional support you receive from family or friends?
Your satisfaction levels guide us in identifying gaps and enhancing your social support network.
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Do you have access to reliable transportation for appointments or group meetings?
Practical barriers like transportation can impact consistent engagement in therapy and support programs.
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Are there community resources (e.g., shelters, hotlines) you have used?
Knowing which resources you've accessed shows what has or hasn't worked and where additional referrals may help.
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How often do you connect with supportive individuals each week?
Frequency of contact can indicate social isolation or strong engagement, both relevant to your emotional well-being.
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Do you feel safe in your current living environment?
Assessing safety is foundational to any trauma intervention and informs immediate risk management.
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Have you ever worked with a peer counselor or mentor?
Peer support can be a valuable complement to professional care by providing lived-experience guidance.
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Is there someone you can call in a moment of crisis?
This question ensures you have an emergency plan and know where to turn during acute distress.
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Would you like help connecting to new or additional support services?
Offering connection assistance empowers you to expand your support network according to identified needs.
Trigger Identification Questions
Understanding specific triggers helps us develop personalized strategies to manage and reduce distress. These questions identify sensory, situational, or emotional cues that may lead to reactivity. Violence Survey
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Are there specific sounds (e.g., sirens, loud bangs) that distress you?
Sound triggers can be powerful reminders and are important to address in grounding practices.
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Do certain smells or scents cause discomfort or panic?
Olfactory triggers often evoke strong memory associations, helping us design sensory coping techniques.
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Have you noticed particular places that increase your anxiety?
Location-based triggers inform gradual exposure work and safety planning.
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Do specific anniversaries or dates cause you distress?
Anniversary reactions are common and help schedule extra support around difficult times.
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Are there topics or conversations you tend to avoid?
Topic avoidance can signal unresolved issues that we may need to address through incremental exposure.
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Do certain facial expressions or tones of voice upset you?
Interpersonal triggers guide us in practicing communication and assertiveness skills.
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Have you ever reacted strongly to sudden movements or unexpected touches?
Startle responses highlight hypervigilance and inform body-based grounding strategies.
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Does media (e.g., news, movies) sometimes trigger distressing memories?
Media triggers reveal when to set healthy boundaries around content consumption.
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Do crowded or noisy environments make you feel unsafe?
Social triggers can lead to avoidance, so identifying them helps plan gradual re-engagement.
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Are there routine activities that unexpectedly provoke strong emotions?
Everyday triggers point to underlying associations and guide the focus of coping skill practice.
Healing Process Questions
These questions assess your progress and help set goals for ongoing recovery. Understanding milestones supports the design of a strengths-based healing plan. Clinical Trial Survey
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What positive changes have you noticed since beginning treatment?
Recognizing improvements builds motivation and highlights effective interventions to continue.
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Do you feel more in control of your emotions now than before?
Gauging perceived emotional control offers insight into the success of regulation strategies.
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Have you been able to use coping skills during moments of distress?
Tracking real-world application informs adjustments to enhance skill practice.
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What new self-care routines have you established?
Documenting emerging habits highlights your active role in recovery and areas for encouragement.
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Do you feel more hopeful about your future than you did six months ago?
Hope is a key indicator of progress and resilience in trauma-informed care.
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Have you experienced any setbacks or challenges recently?
Identifying setbacks early allows us to pivot strategies and provide timely support.
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Would you say your relationships have improved since starting work on healing?
Relationships often reflect internal changes and help assess social-emotional growth.
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Are there skills you still find difficult to use under stress?
Pinpointing unmet needs guides focused skill reinforcement in next steps.
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How confident are you in managing future triggers on your own?
Confidence levels inform the need for booster sessions or ongoing support mechanisms.
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What is one goal you'd like to achieve in the next month?
Setting clear goals encourages accountability and provides direction for treatment planning.
Professional Engagement Questions
These questions explore your interactions with professional helpers and preferences for care. Understanding your expectations fosters a collaborative, empowering therapeutic relationship. Clinical Survey
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Have you previously worked with a mental health professional?
This establishes your prior experience and shapes orientation to new services.
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What types of therapy or counseling have you tried?
Knowing modalities you've experienced helps refine what might work best moving forward.
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Were there any barriers that made attending sessions difficult?
Identifying obstacles like cost or scheduling informs solutions for consistent participation.
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Do you have a preference for individual or group therapy?
Preference data ensures we match you with formats where you feel most comfortable.
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How important is it for you that your provider shares your cultural background?
Assessing cultural competence needs helps secure a supportive and understanding therapeutic alliance.
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What qualities do you value most in a therapist?
Highlighting desired traits guides referral to professionals aligned with your style and needs.
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Have you ever discontinued therapy before feeling ready?
Understanding past discontinuations aids in preventing future drop-out and improving engagement.
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Do you feel safe discussing any topic with your provider?
Perceived safety is essential for trust and open communication in trauma-informed care.
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Would you like assistance finding specialized trauma-informed providers?
Offering referrals empowers you to access care that aligns with your specific experiences.
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How often would you prefer to meet with a professional for optimal support?
Frequency preferences enable scheduling that balances therapeutic intensity with your availability.
