1. Triple P & Trauma Presented at: CA Triple P Statewide Conference Call
June 7, 2017
Andrew Pari, L.C.S.W., Diplomate
Sexual Assault Awareness, LLC

2. Agenda How Triple P directly relates to Trauma-Informed Care
Review TIC with 5 Key Principles of Triple P
Use of Triple P’s strength-based concepts
Related concepts and discussion

3. Being Trauma-Informed
SAMHSA’s Six Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach:
A trauma-informed approach reflects adherence to six key principles rather than a prescribed set of practices or procedures. These principles may be generalizable across multiple types of settings, although terminology and application may be setting- or sector-specific.
Safety
Trustworthiness and Transparency
Family & Peer support
Collaboration and mutuality
Empowerment, voice and choice
Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues

4. Five Core Principles of Triple P
Ensuring a safe, interesting environment
Creating a positive learning environment
Using assertive discipline
Having realistic expectations
a. Realistic expectations are rooted in an understand of the child’s development and how interruptions to development affect growth
Taking care of oneself as a parent
What parallels do you see with the SAMHSA Principles?

5. Applying Triple P to Trauma
Research shows family/community support to be paramount in addressing trauma impact.
Family support is more important than treatment.
Children routinely list family attachment over any other quality giving their lives meaning
(housing, money, material possessions, friendships, etc.)
These are congruent with Triple P Values!

6. Types of Trauma Sexual abuse Physical abuse Neglect
Emotional/Verbal abuse
Bullying
Institutional (school/team) Betrayal
Lack of social acceptance for personal characteristics (height, weight, sexual orientation, etc.)
Coming out process for LBGTQA* Youth
Other?

7. Triple P-Trauma Prioritizes Strengths-Based Components
Developing Positive Relationships
Encouraging Desirable Behavior
Teaching New Skills & Behavior

8. Developing Positive Relationships
Quality Time
Children will feel safe to disclose in the context of attachment
#Start by Believing
Talking to Children
Learn to discuss body agency, positive touch, good feeling/bad feeling
Use love language-”I love you no matter what.” “You love you no matter what.”
Give them language to communicate what they like about themselves
Encourage open communication about uncomfortable experiences
In other words, a child won’t tell us about abuse if they can’t tell us they’ve been teased
Show Affection
Use positive touch together with verbal affection; hugs, pats, kisses, cuddles
Children are able to contrast what they like with what they don’t when disclosing

9. Encouraging Desirable Behavior
Descriptive Praise
Use supportive, non-shaming language when a child discloses something awkward or uncomfortable
Praise their ability to come forward, be assertive, use resources for protection such as adults
Giving Attention
Show them you hear them, not only say it
Show concern, sadness, anger for and with them
They will understand how serious you take their concerns by your non-verbal as well as verbal response
Advocate to stay with them if exams and reports are needed, but understand if the child wants to do this on their own
Be there in the way they need you
Provide Engaging Activities
Include books and games around assertive self, prioritizing personal safety, caring for others
If tests and reports are needed, prepare them ahead of time just as you would for any appointment they’ve never had

10. Teaching New Skills & Behavior
Setting a Good Example
Demonstrate your own self-care
Use assertive language when appropriate
Talk about difficult situations openly to show how
Showing them how doesn’t mean involving them inappropriately (DV, marital problems)
Incidental Teaching
Give child your full attention when they appear scared, anxious, uncomfortable
Verbalize understanding for how hard it is to talk about some things
Provide prompts (“Are you scared to tell me?” “Did someone hurt you?” “I love you no matter what you tell me.”)
Yes/No prompts are more effective than open-ended discussions
Praise them for any amount of information they are able to provide
Provide clear options and direction for what will happen next
Remember that, especially in sexual abuse, consent has been ignored and MUST be prioritized in any response/intervention. When possible, The Child Chooses!
Ask, Say, Do
In the case of trauma, Ask/Say/Do may take the form of learning what resources and interventions can help in addition to parental support
These are opportunities for parents to balance care-taking with teaching valuable self-support skills

11. Related Concepts
Traditional methods of trauma treatment are individually-based.
This approach prioritizes parent as primary source of support while respecting child’s autonomy.
Teen Triple P and its focus on building autonomy.
Use of Level 5 to address parent barriers and bias to prioritizing children’s needs over their beliefs.

12. Andrew Pari, LCSW, Diplomate
Thank You!
Andrew Pari, LCSW, Diplomate
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