SUPPORTING TRAUMA-AFFECTED CLIENTS IN PRIMARY CARE

Tips for Referring and Communicating

Trauma is more common than we often realise, and it doesn’t always show up in obvious ways. As a GP, nurse or allied health professional, you’re likely seeing trauma-affected clients every day, whether or not they identify that way.

While your role isn’t to process trauma, your ability to recognise, respond, and refer safely can make a profound difference to a client’s recovery. This blog offers practical tips for health professionals working in primary care or community settings who want to support trauma-affected clients with clarity and compassion.

Spotting Trauma in the Room

Trauma isn’t always disclosed directly. It can be hidden behind:

Vague or hard-to-treat physical symptoms
Difficulty regulating emotions or “shutting down”
A history of high service use but minimal progress
Trouble trusting professionals or attending follow-ups
Flat affect, hyper-vigilance, or irritability

You may also hear or observe trauma-related symptoms, such as:

Nightmares or frequent disrupted sleep
Flashbacks or intrusive memories
Heightened startle response
Avoidance of people, places, or situations
Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from the body
Shame, guilt, or self-blame that feels out of proportion
Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
Chronic anxiety, panic, or emotional overwhelm
Somatic symptoms without a clear medical explanation (e.g. headaches, gut issues, muscle tension)
Expression of family history of trauma (generational trauma)

Clients may not have a specific event to name or they may minimise what happened. Even relational or developmental trauma (like emotional neglect or bullying) can leave long-lasting imprints on the nervous system.

If a client says things like:

“I feel like something’s wrong with me, but I can’t explain it.”
“I’ve done therapy before, but I still react the same way.”
“I get overwhelmed out of nowhere.”

…these can be subtle but powerful indicators of unprocessed trauma.

How to Respond in the Moment

You don’t need to be a trauma therapist to support someone in that moment. A calm, grounded, and validating response goes a long way. Consider using statements like:

“That sounds really hard, thank you for sharing it.”
“You don’t need to go into detail if you’re not ready.”
“There are therapies that work gently with trauma, like EMDR, if that’s something you’d like to explore.”

Avoid pushing for a full trauma history or in-depth disclosure. Instead, focus on normalising the experience, preserving safety, and offering a path forward.

Talking About EMDR as an Option

If a client seems stuck or has done previous therapy but hasn’t experienced meaningful change, EMDR may be a good next step. You could introduce it gently, with language like:

“There’s an evidence-based therapy called EMDR that works with the brain and nervous system to help process trauma. It doesn’t require you to talk through everything in detail. Would you like me to refer you for an intake appointment to see if it might be a good fit?”

Some clients may want more information before deciding, and that’s okay. We’re happy to offer a no-pressure call to explore suitability.

If you, the health professional would like to learn more about what EMDR therapy is please see our blog here.

When and How to Refer

You can refer a client for EMDR when:

Trauma or chronic stress is likely contributing to their current symptoms
They express curiosity about trauma work or “going deeper”
They’ve plateaued in other therapies
They’re regulated enough to engage in therapy (or open to building those skills)

Referrals to Mindful Living can be made via: