Toward Trauma-informed Practice in College Counseling:

A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Exposure to traumatic events is common among college students, and there is accumulating evidence that trauma has a wide range of effects on students’ mental health, academic performance, and risk behaviors. This paper reviewed research conducted primarily in the United States on the impact of trauma on the mental health and student life of college students, with the goal of providing directions for research and practice in university counseling in Japan. In addition to the prevalence and impact of trauma, some studies identified factors that influence the relationship between trauma and outcomes, including early exposure to traumatic experiences, the cumulative and complex nature of trauma, types of trauma, PTSD symptoms, self-regulatory functions related to emotions and cognition, attachment, and social support. Professional associations have published guidelines for the treatment of trauma-related conditions, and a framework for a trauma-informed approach has been developed. Clinical considerations in assessment, therapeutic alliance, safety, vicarious trauma, and training are addressed in this paper, as well as prospects for college counseling in Japan.