Working with Trauma Survivors
A Training for Legal Professionals
Interviewing trauma survivors is one of the most delicate and demanding tasks a legal professional can face, and most never receive any training for it. We can help.
This isn't a failure of the survivor. It's a mismatch between standard interview practice and what trauma-affected nervous systems actually need.
When you interview a trauma survivor, you're not just asking questions. You're entering into a sensitive dynamic that can feel, to them, like a repeat of the very experience they're seeking justice for. When survivors feel triggered, unsafe, misunderstood, or unheard, interviews stall, details become inaccessible, and in the worst cases, survivors experience the process itself as invalidating or downright retraumatizing.
Better outcomes for survivors and better outcomes for your cases are not in conflict. They move together.
Our trainings teach legal professionals how to close the gap. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of trauma and its effects, and with practical tools they can apply right away.
Participants will learn:
How trauma shapes the brain, memory, communication, and behavior — and why survivors may appear inconsistent, avoidant, or shut down
How to create the conditions of relative safety that allow survivors to access and share their experience
How to recognize signs of distress during an interview and respond in ways that restore safety and keep the conversation moving
How to demonstrate empathy and validation in ways that build trust without compromising professional boundaries
How to pace and structure difficult conversations to minimize retraumatization while maximizing the information you need
How to engage in practices that protect themselves from burnout and the very real experience of vicarious trauma
Every training is tailored to your organization's needs. All formats available in-person or via Zoom. Group size, focus areas, and case examples are adapted to your practice context. Common formats include:
Trauma-Focused Trainings
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Introductory Workshop
For teams new to trauma-informed interviewing. 3-4 hours
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Practitioner Development Series
A series of workshops developing an in-depth understanding of trauma-informed care with an emphasis on personal reflection and feedback
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Single-Case Consultation
One or more meetings focused on a specific client or matter
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Trauma-Informed Advisory
On-going trauma-specific consultation and support for your team (weekly/bi-weekly/monthly)