Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Examining A Trauma-Based Etiology For Psychosis, David Comer

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Psychosis has been traditionally viewed through a biological lens, resulting in a narrative of the disorder that does not allow room for therapy. By applying a trauma-informed lens, psychosis can now be thought of as a trauma-based developmental disorder. This impacts how we explain the symptoms of these disorders, and how we view them overall. It also has implications for future treatment, advocacy, and research. This paper examines the bio-psycho-social symptoms of psychosis and offers trauma-informed explanations of the symptoms. Implications for Counselors are examined, as are potential limitations of this current line of research.