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In Person

Invisible Bags: Substance Abuse Treatment Through a Trauma-Informed Lens

Precious B. Higgins, LSCSW, LCSW
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Information

Date & Time

Location

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Define the core principles of trauma-informed care and explain their relevance in the context of residential substance use treatment.

  • Identify trauma-informed strategies for group therapy, individual therapy, medication management, and daily milieu interactions that reduce the risk of re-traumatization.

  • Recognize trauma responses in client behaviors (e.g., dissociation, resistance, hypervigilance) and reframe them through a compassionate, trauma-informed lens.

  • Apply trauma-informed approaches to program-wide practices, including intake, orientation, staffing, and interdisciplinary collaboration, to support client healing throughout the 60-day inpatient stay

Educational Goal

To increase clinical competency regarding applying trauma-informed care to substance use disorder treatment.

Description

This presentation explores how trauma-informed care can transform the way clinical and support staff engage with individuals in substance use treatment. Through the metaphor of the “invisible bag,” participants will deepen their understanding of how trauma shapes client behaviors, emotions, and engagement in care. Using real-world strategies and grounded in SAMHSA’s six principles of trauma-informed care, this session equips staff with practical tools to reduce re-traumatization, build trust, and support lasting recovery across multiple modalities—including group therapy, individual sessions, milieu management, and medication support. Participants will also learn how to embed trauma-informed practices into the structure and culture of residential programs, with an emphasis on safety, compassion, and healing. This course is ideal for anyone working directly with clients in substance use or co-occurring mental health treatment settings.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Precious B. Higgins, LSCSW, LCSW
Precious B. Higgins, LSCSW, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Kansas and Missouri. She combines over 10 years of experience in community mental health, forensics, crisis services, and co-occurring diagnoses to serve as the Clinical Director at Sunflower Recovery Center in Kansas. Precious obtained her undergraduate degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2013 and obtained her graduate degree from Park University in Missouri in 2018. From there, Precious continued to dedicate trauma -informed and person-centered care to those from vulnerable communities experiencing mental illness, substance abuse disorders, or a combination thereof. Additionally, Precious has been able to guide new clinicians in empowerment to provide excellent services to the population served as Clinical Director and previous adjunct professor of her alma mater, Park University. Precious is passionate about people and behavioral healthcare, and believes that there is always more to learn and to advocate for and there will always be work to be done.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Sunflower Recovery Center