In trauma-informed communication, which practice is recommended?

• A. Remove Vic from scene
• B. Use active listening techniques
• C. Ask open-ended questions
• D. Give Vic full attention

Answer: (D)

Giving Vic full attention is foundational in trauma-informed communication because it conveys safety, respect, and presence. When you are fully present, you notice both what Vic says and how they say it—tone, pace, facial expressions, and body language—allowing you to respond calmly and validate their experience. This focused presence helps reduce anxiety, build trust, and guide you in offering choices and support that fit Vic’s needs.

Active listening techniques and open-ended questions are valuable, but they work best when you are genuinely attentive. If your attention is divided, those techniques can feel mechanical or intrusive rather than caring. Removing Vic from the scene is more about safety logistics than about how you communicate; it may be necessary in some contexts, but it does not address the relational, trust-building aspect of trauma-informed care.