March is Women’s History Month – a time when the achievements and contributions of women are highlighted and celebrated extra.
This month, we are spotlighting some of the women whose pivotal ideas, work, and research have made a difference in the field of trauma and psychology. Read on for our list of 6 Women Whose Contributions Have Made A Difference in the Field of Trauma-Informed Care.
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is known for her work on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed care. Her 2014 TEDTalk, “How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime,” has been watched over 12 million times. It talks about how toxic stress in childhood can affect health later in life. Through her work as a pediatrician, she found a strong link between childhood experiences like violence, neglect, or family problems and health issues as adults. Her 2018 book, The Deepest Well, explains this connection and discusses how problems like racism and violence affect public health.
In 1992, Dr. Judith Herman published Trauma and Recovery, which introduced the idea that trauma is not something that only occurs at war – that trauma also happens right here, at home, in the forms of sexual violence and domestic abuse. In a 2023 article for The New Yorker, Eren Orbey called Herman a “trailblazer” and credited her for creating “a template” for the field of trauma.
As the mastermind behind the Sanctuary Model, Dr. Sandra Blooms stands out as a key leader of the trauma-informed movement. Bloom’s work focuses on the impact of psychological trauma on individuals and systems, advocating for organizational change to create safe, supportive environments for healing. She founded Creating Presence, an online organizational approach for creating trauma-informed systems. Her contributions have significantly influenced trauma-informed practices in institutions around the globe.
Clinical psychologist and co-founder of The Gottman Institute, Dr. Julie Gottman has dedicated decades of her career to the study of trauma and PTSD. Gottman’s most prominent contributions revolve around how trauma impacts romantic relationships and intimate partnerships – and how couples can navigate healing together through trauma-informed methods. Gottman also leads trauma-focused workshops for therapists and mental health professionals to help them integrate trauma-informed principles into couples therapy.
We put these two iconic psychologists together, as they, along with Dr. Tony Mannarino, developed Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). With background specializations in childhood trauma, Dr. Cohen and Dr. Deblinger created TF-CBT for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. Their work has been pivotal in shaping trauma-informed care, emphasizing structured interventions that help young survivors process their experiences, manage distressing emotions, and develop healthy coping strategies. Through extensive research, publications, and training programs, Cohen and Deblinger have significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of trauma in both clinical and community settings.
The New York State Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center (NYS TINRC) strives to assist and support all New Yorkers with effective trauma-informed practices that improve their well-being. We are committed to fostering training and resources that connect all of us to safe, trusting, and supportive care. Since trauma intertwines and interferes with race, age, history, culture, language, and more, the NYS TINRC believes that an intersectional approach in trauma-responsive care can be helpful not only for each of us but for collaborative communities and organizations.
The NYS TINRC ENews is produced by CCSI. The views, opinions, and content expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH).
