Trauma-informed supervision: Counselors in a Level I hospital trauma center

Trauma-informed counseling has increased in scope, including work in acute care hospital settings. In this article, we examine trauma-informed supervision, with particular attention to its implementation in a Level I hospital trauma setting involving specialized interventions at the bedside with severely injured trauma patients. Issues of supervision pertaining to substance use and post-traumatic stress response are emphasized. A case example is presented to demonstrate the unique needs of clinicians in an acute care hospital setting and the trauma-informed supervision practices we use with clinicians. Finally, we make recommendations for supervisors in acute care hospital settings and other similar settings.