Trauma-Informed Design

Learn about trauma, its effects, and how to account for it in your design and research efforts to create digital experiences that are more caring and less harmful.

Introduction

• Design with a trauma-informed approach
• What you should know

1. Understanding Trauma

• What is trauma and how common is it?
• Types of trauma
• The impact of trauma
• Trauma warning signs to watch for and what you can do

2. What Is Being Trauma-Informed?

• The six principles of being trauma-informed
• Trauma's effects on a sense of safety
• The value of trustworthiness and transparency
• Counteract trauma with peer support
• Collaboration and mutuality in the face of trauma
• Foster empowerment, voice, and choice
• Address cultural, historical, and gender issues

3. Trauma-Informed Research

• Trauma-informed research starts with self-reflection
• Care and consideration for research participants
• Care and consideration for researchers

4. Making Online Forms Trauma-Informed

• Trauma-informed online form best practices
• Trauma-informed mobile-first form design
• Four ways to build trust through forms
• Learning from testing forms for usability

5. Trauma-Informed Websites

• Add pauses to the process
• Make usability heuristics your foundation
• Use inclusive and accessible language
• Systematically apply trauma-informed principles

Conclusion

• Next steps