Maitri Path To Wellness- Trauma-Informed Care: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters (BeritK/Getty Images)Many people who seek mental health or substance use disorder treatment have experienced trauma at some point in their lives. Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and analyzes how it can affect a person’s thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. trauma-informed care asks, “What happened to you?” Instead of focusing on symptoms, trauma-informed care considers how past experiences may influence current challenges. One of the greatest benefits of trauma-informed care is that it helps individuals feel respected and understood.