What is trauma-informed care?

Trauma-informed care recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and asks 'What happened to you?' rather than 'What's wrong with you?' James Trail guides organizations through three stages: awareness, understanding, and practical application of trauma-informed practices.

Who provides trauma-informed training for healthcare teams?

James Trail provides trauma-informed training for healthcare teams, hospitals, and health systems. Led by Meredith Shuman, MSW, with 30+ years clinical experience. 91% of participants report meaningful improvement. Over 2,000 healthcare professionals trained across 100+ workshops.

What organizations does James Trail work with?

James Trail works with healthcare teams, hospitals, clinics, schools, churches, nonprofits, and global health organizations. We offer customized workshops from 90-minute introductions to annual partnerships.

Does James Trail offer global health services?

Yes. JT Med, James Trail's global health initiative, provides trauma-informed medical care in Cuba, Mexico, Kenya, India, and Jordan. Led by Dan Shuman, DO, with 26 years experience. 14+ deployments, 650+ patients served in Cuba, 10+ teams trained.

Are trauma-informed resources available in Spanish?

Yes. James Trail provides Spanish-language resources at jamestrail.org/bienvenidos. Meredith Shuman is fluent in Spanish and has delivered training in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking communities.

from functional to flourishing

Resources that meet you where you are right now.

Trauma-informed resources

Community is built when we gather around content and share stories. We’ve curated a collection of books, online content and spiritual formation resources for this purpose.

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Explore the world of trauma-informed care with 'James Trail Podcast.' Join Meredith Shuman, founder and therapist, as she shares insights and resources for families and organizations affected by trauma. Learn from experts, hear inspiring stories, and discover practical tips for creating safe, supportive communities. Whether you're a professional, caregiver, or someone impacted by trauma, this podcast offers hope, understanding, and tools for healing and flourishing. Discover your path to healing and wholeness with each episode.
The Deepest Well by Nadine Burke Harris
The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
The Connected Child by Karen Purvis and David R. Cross
Brainstorm by Dan Siegel
The Whole-Brain Child by Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Bruce Perry
The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz
Research links on TBRI:
https://child.tcu.edu/#sthash.pZyJoHqT.dpbs

Circle of Security Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wpz8m0BFM8

3 min video intro to TBRI:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWScSJKjn1A&ab_channel=KarynPurvisInstituteofChildDevelopment
TBRI Ideal Response video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuDH85R3rtc
Autism sensory overload simulation video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyxr5Ky-Uf0
Dr. Daniel Siegal hand model of brain video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm9CIJ74Oxw&ab_channel=FtMyersFamPsych
Still Face Experiment video (mom/baby):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1Jw0-LExyc
Still Face with dads:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pcr1Rmr1rM&ab_channel=Children%27sInstitute
Trauma-free world
https://traumafreeworld.org/
Curt Thompson Reflections resource:
https://curtthompsonmd.com/reflections/
The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson
Soul Survivor by Philip Yancey
Hinds’ Feet in High Places by Hannah Hurnard
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
The Broken Way by Ann Voscamp
The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan
When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert
Too Small to Ignore by Wess Stafford
Visions of Vocation by Steven Garber
I Am Restored by Lecrae
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Trauma-informed content from the James Trail team and family!

These resources are provided for educational purposes and are not a substitute for medical or mental health care. If you have concerns about sleep or wellbeing, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Sleep resources

Download Sleep Resources PDF

Quality sleep is deeply connected to emotional regulation, mental health, and overall wellbeing—especially for children and families impacted by trauma.

The following resources offer practical tools, screening supports, and research-informed insight:

Trauma-Informed Sleep Support

SAFE Intervention – Trauma-Informed Behavioral Sleep Support
A brief, trauma-informed behavioral intervention designed specifically for children living in or adopted from foster care, helping them thrive across developmental and emotional domains.

https://safeintervention.com/what-is-safe%3F-1

Sleep Rhythm & Screening Tools

Morningness-Eveningness (Chronotype) Questionnaire
Helps identify an individual’s natural sleep-wake rhythm to support healthier routines and daily functioning.

https://qxmd.com/calculate/calculator_829/morningness-eveningness-questionnaire-meq

SnoreLab – Snoring Assessment App

A simple tool to monitor snoring patterns and identify potential sleep-breathing concerns that may impact health and rest quality.

https://www.snorelab.com/

Sleep & Mental Health — Foundational Research

Neuroscience & Clinical Psychology

https://www.jneurosci.org/content/33/26/10607

https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032813-153716

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-12487-003

https://www.sleep.theclinics.com/article/S1556-407X(10)00127-X/abstract

Circadian Rhythm & Brain Function

https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(07)01783-6

https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(11)01248-6

https://academic.oup.com/cercor/article-abstract/21/1/115/339129

https://academic.oup.com/brain/article-abstract/131/2/500/407617

Sleep Disorders & Physiology

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945708700145

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926641002001349

https://www.sleep.theclinics.com/article/S1556-407X(07)00047-1/abstract

https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.00492.2004

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0013469485900227

Sleep, Health Outcomes & Development

Daylight Saving Time & Acute Myocardial Infarction (Meta-Analysis)
Research examining how sleep disruption and circadian shifts influence cardiovascular risk.

Child & Adolescent Mental Health

https://academic.oup.com/jpepsy/article/48/3/254/6849392

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190740920310975

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352721821002072

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1087079216000046

These resources are provided for educational purposes and are not a substitute for medical or mental health care. If you have concerns about sleep or wellbeing, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

"Meredith's training and experience give her a unique ability to come alongside families with compassion, wisdom, and hope."

— DANA, ADOPTIVE MOM

Listen to the James Trail Podcast

Explore the world of trauma-informed care with 'James Trail Podcast.' Join Meredith Shuman, founder and therapist, as she shares insights and resources for families and organizations affected by trauma. Learn from experts, hear inspiring stories, and discover practical tips for creating safe, supportive communities. Whether you're a professional, caregiver, or someone impacted by trauma, this podcast offers hope, understanding, and tools for healing and flourishing. Discover your path to healing and wholeness with each episode.

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