Trauma-informed pedagogy
Trauma-informed contemplative practices
Rosemary Reilly, PhD.
Trauma-informed contemplative practices are mindfulness-based approaches intentionally adapted to account for the neurobiological, emotional, psychological, and relational impacts of trauma. Grounded in principles of trauma-informed care, these practices prioritize nervous system regulation and present-moment grounding while avoiding techniques that may provoke re-traumatization, such as prolonged silence, intense inward focus, or body scans. By offering flexible participation, external anchors of attention, and gradual embodiment, trauma-informed contemplative practices support emotional regulation, a sense of safety, and reflective capacity by prioritizing safety, choice, empowerment, and regulation. This aligns with ethical, strengths-based, and client-centred practice (Herman, 2015; SAMHSA, 2014; Treleaven, 2018).
Below is a table comparing the different approaches to contemplative practices:
| Dimension | Traditional contemplative practices | Trauma-Informed contemplative practices |
| Underlying assumptions | Assumes participants can safely direct attention inward, tolerate stillness, and focus on their body without distress | Recognizes that inward focus and stillness may activate trauma responses / re-traumatization |
| Primary focus | Sustained attention, insight, and self-observation | Safety, regulation, and stabilization before deep insight |
| Approach to safety | Safety is often implicit, assumed, or deemed a personal responsibility | Participant safety is explicit, prioritized, and continually reinforced though
· Shorter practice durations · Eyes open or lowered rather than closed · Clear guidance and grounding cues |
| Choice and autonomy | Limited choices and standardized instructions (e.g., eyes closed, silence) | Ongoing choice emphasized (e.g., to opt out, modify posture, or shift attention). This helps counteract the loss of control often associated with trauma. |
| Attention anchors | Internal sensations (breath, body scanning, emotions) | Present-moment grounding is prioritized. Emphasis is placed on anchoring attention to neutral or external stimuli (e.g., sounds, feet on the floor, objects such as a pebble, breath without manipulation, visual focus) rather than intense internal sensations that may trigger trauma responses. |
| Duration and intensity | Longer, continuous practice periods | Shorter, titrated practices with frequent grounding. Practices support stabilization by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system and building tolerance for present-moment awareness without overwhelm. |
| Embodiment | Deep body awareness encouraged early | Gradual, cautious embodiment with care to avoid somatic overwhelm. Somatic awareness is introduced gradually and gently, acknowledging that the body may hold traumatic memory. |
| Response to distress | Distress may be framed as part of the practice and a learning tool | Distress is treated as a signal to modify or pause the practice |
| Power and context | Often decontextualized from social, cultural, and power dynamics | Explicitly attends to identity, culture, power, oppression, and historical trauma, aligning with anti-oppressive and culturally responsive frameworks. |
Examples of trauma-informed contemplative practices
Grounded mindfulness
These practices may include: attention to external senses rather than internal scanning: What sounds do you hear, the 5-4-3-2-1 Technique [Name 5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you taste], or grounding your hands on a surface.)
Choice-based meditation
These explicitly prioritize participant autonomy by using invitational language such as “if it feels okay” or “you might choose to notice”, allowing individuals to modify or disengage from the practice as needed.)
Brief centering practices at the start or end of sessions
For example, setting a gentle, self-determined intention or orienting attention to the room
See practices: Orienting and tracking, aimless wandering, centering stillness, three-point meditation, arriving/breathing/focus meditation
Loving-kindness practices
Meditation is adapted to avoid forced positive affect for those who have caused harm to the participant.
See practice: Metta (loving-kindness) meditation
Reflective journaling
Trauma-informed journaling emphasizes time limits, grounding before and after writing, and intentional closure, such as shifting attention back to the present environment. These containment strategies help prevent rumination or reactivation of traumatic material while supporting reflection and meaning making.
See practice: In memoriam and letter from the future
Movement-based contemplative practices
For example, gentle stretching or walking meditation integrate gentle physical activity to support embodied awareness without requiring stillness.
See practice: Movement meditation
References
Treleaven, D. A. (2018). Trauma-sensitive mindfulness: Practices for safe and transformative healing. W.W. Norton & Company.
Herman, J. L. (1992/2015). Trauma and recovery. Basic Books.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2014). SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach.
van der Kolk, B. (2014). The body keeps the score. Viking.
