In this episode of Michigan Minds, Danielle Zohrob, Psy.D., Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) staff psychologist and coordinator of sexualized violence services, discusses trauma-informed care and the services that are available to University of Michigan students.
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In her role, Zohrob helps develop campus partnerships and increase awareness about the services that CAPS offers. She specializes in trauma-informed care for students who have experienced a form of trauma, particularly related to sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, or other forms of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct.
“When we think about trauma-informed work, we really think of it as a strength-based approach. We want to promote safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empower students to be able to make decisions for themselves as well as respect the ways that their intersecting identities are involved in how they experience some of these things and move through the world,” she says.
Zohrob outlines the many services offered at CAPS for students including individual therapy, self-exploration groups, same-day walk-in appointments, case management, and connects with community resources. She also elaborates on the services for students who have experienced sexual assault and explains how CAPS partners with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC) on campus.
“Survivors are always welcome, no matter where they’re at in their journey. Whether something has just happened or it happened many years ago, those walk-in crisis services can be for anyone who just needs some really urgent support, and again, the case management services,” she says.
Believing survivors is one of the most important things community members can do to be supportive.
“When they share their experiences with you, validate them, take their lead on what they want to share, what they’re looking for, ask them what they might need. And if they don’t know that’s okay, you can help them figure it out. I think sometimes people are worried about saying or doing the wrong thing or not knowing how to respond. Sharing with someone that you care for them, you believe them, you’re concerned about them, you want to help them with whatever they need is enough.”
