Trauma Objectives 🧠

Goal 1: Increase Emotional Safety and Trauma Symptom Understanding

Objective:

Client will increase awareness of trauma related triggers, emotional responses, and coping patterns by identifying how trauma impacts thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships during therapy sessions over the next 90 days.

Measurement Tools (when appropriate):

• PCL-5
• Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS)
• Clinical observation
• Client self report

Goal 2: Improve Emotional Regulation and Coping Skills

Objective:

Client will learn and practice at least three emotional regulation, grounding, or coping strategies to manage trauma related distress, physiological activation, and emotional overwhelm within the next 90 days.

Measurement Tools (when appropriate):

• SUDS ratings before and after coping strategies
• Client self report
• Clinical observation of skill use
• Coping strategy tracking

Goal 3: Increase Sense of Safety and Trust

Objective:

Client will identify personal safety needs, develop healthy boundaries, and practice communication skills that support improved emotional safety and relationship functioning within the next 90 days.

Measurement Tools (when appropriate):

• Client self report
• Relationship functioning discussions
• Boundary-setting progress tracking

Goal 4: Reduce Avoidance and Increase Healthy Engagement

Objective:

Client will identify trauma related avoidance patterns and gradually increase engagement in meaningful activities, relationships, and situations that support improved daily functioning within the next 90 days.

Measurement Tools (when appropriate):

• Activity tracking
• Avoidance pattern identification
• Functional improvement tracking
• Client self report

Goal 5: Develop a More Balanced Self-Perception

Objective:

Client will identify and challenge trauma related negative beliefs, self-blame, shame, or guilt while developing a more balanced and compassionate understanding of themselves within the next 90 days.

Measurement Tools (when appropriate):

• Cognitive restructuring exercises
• Client self report
• Clinical observation

Trauma Objectives

• Patient will identify at least three trauma-related triggers and describe associated emotional, cognitive, behavioral, or physiological responses during therapy sessions.
• Patient will practice at least three grounding, emotional regulation, or stabilization skills to manage trauma-related distress and improve coping between sessions.
• Patient will identify trauma-related avoidance patterns and develop gradual, safe steps toward increased engagement in daily routines, relationships, or meaningful activities.

Clinical Note

Trauma treatment objectives should be individualized based on the client’s current symptoms, safety, treatment readiness, and stage of treatment.

Early trauma work often focuses on:

• Establishing safety
• Building emotional regulation skills
• Increasing awareness of trauma responses
• Strengthening coping strategies

Trauma processing interventions should be considered only when clinically appropriate and when sufficient stabilization has been established.