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Hello AAML Fellows and friends,
As we progress through October, many of us prepare to celebrate Halloween, a fun and sometimes spooky time for children and parents alike.
But while Halloween brings playful scares, many of our clients face something far more serious: the lasting effects of real trauma in their lives and relationships.
So, what is trauma?
According to Merriam-Webster, trauma is “a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury.”
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), released in 2013, expands on this definition by identifying several trauma and stressor-related disorders, such as acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder.
We often hear the phrase that a certain doctor lacks “bedside manner.” The same idea applies to family law attorneys who fail to recognize the effects of trauma on their clients. Many clients are coping with profound emotional distress, and it is crucial that we understand how trauma can affect their ability to process information, make decisions and participate meaningfully in their cases.
Trauma-informed practice (TIP), an approach long embraced by health care providers and educators, can also play a vital role in family law. This month, we will explore how TIP principles can be applied in our field to improve client communication, reduce re-traumatization and enhance the overall quality of advocacy.
We are pleased to feature several insightful articles illustrating why understanding TIP should be an essential part of every family law firm’s culture.
Thank you for your continued support of the AAML Newsletter. We look forward to seeing many of you next month at the AAML Annual Meeting in Chicago!
Warm regards,
Rod Firoozye
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