Overcoming Resistance to Trauma-Informed Practices with Khiela Holmes of Birthing The Gifts

In this episode of Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment, host Shenandoah Chefalo speaks with Khiela Holmes, a clinical psychologist and the founder of Birthing The Gifts.

Join them as they discuss:

The transformative power of trauma-informed care
Khiela’s journey
Practical strategies for implementing trauma-informed practices
The importance of community collaboration
Ongoing learning
Khiela’s nonprofit, Birthing The Gifts

Khiela Holmes is a Clinical Psychologist at Shalom Wellness Services, who provide holistic approach to wellness that revitalizes body, soul and spirit. She is also the founder of Birthing The Gifts, a faith-based mental health organization that provides assessment, treatment, and support for children, youth, adults, and families.

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Episode Highlights:

[00:16:09 - 00:18:16] - Addressessing Resistance to Trauma-Informed Practices - When confronted with resistance to trauma-informed care, Khiela recommends adopting a compassionate and understanding approach grounded in trauma-informed principles. She suggests viewing resistance not as opposition but as a potential response to past experiences or misconceptions. By aligning trauma-informed practices with the core values of the community or organization—such as love, compassion, and grace in faith settings—leaders can bridge gaps and reduce skepticism. Khiela advocates for clear, compassionate communication that emphasizes shared values and the genuine intent behind trauma-informed initiatives. This strategy involves seeking to understand the root causes of resistance, addressing misunderstandings transparently, and demonstrating how trauma-informed care aligns with and supports the existing values and goals of the organization.
[00:23:43 - 00:25:26] - The Importance of Self-Awareness and Humility in Trauma-Informed Care - Khiela emphasizes how self-awareness is crucial for leaders and educators implementing trauma-informed care. She explains that true self-awareness involves recognizing and addressing aspects of oneself that may not be immediately apparent. This process requires humility, especially in education and faith settings, where leaders must balance authority with the understanding that they, too, are continually growing and learning. Khiela highlights the necessity of leaders acknowledging their own strengths and areas for growth, fostering an environment where humility allows for personal and organizational development. By cultivating self-awareness and humility, leaders can better support their teams and create more empathetic, responsive environments for those they serve.
[00:25:47 - 00:27:16] - 2. Implementing the Five S’s Framework for Trauma-Informed Leadership - Khiela introduces the “Five S’s” framework: safety, supportive relationships and environments, self-awareness, structure, and sustainability—as essential components for trauma-informed leadership. She details each element, starting with safety, which involves creating a psychologically healthy workplace where all members feel secure. Supportive relationships and environments are fostered through consistent and reliable interactions that make individuals feel valued and heard. Self-awareness requires leaders to engage in continuous personal growth and emotional intelligence practices. Structure pertains to establishing clear policies, procedures, and practices that reinforce the trauma-informed approach. Lastly, sustainability focuses on maintaining these practices through ongoing personal development and organizational support. This comprehensive framework ensures that trauma-informed care is effectively integrated and maintained within organizations.
[00:29:12 - 00:31:22] - The Role of Community Partnership - Khiela underscores the critical role that community partnerships play in the success and sustainability of trauma-informed initiatives. She advocates for collaboration between educational institutions, faith-based organizations, and other community entities to create a unified approach to trauma-informed care. By partnering with mental health agencies and organizations addressing basic needs such as food and housing insecurity, trauma-informed practices can be more effectively implemented and supported. Khiela highlights the importance of these partnerships in fostering a sense of belonging and connection within the community, which is fundamental for healing and recovery. She encourages organizations to actively seek out and engage with community partners to enhance their trauma-informed efforts, ensuring that support systems are robust and comprehensive.