Trauma-Informed Resources · TI-03

Trauma-Sensitive Grounding Choices

Choose an eyes-open, environment-first option that may support orientation to the present without requiring breathwork or body scanning.

Clinician-created · specialist review required

Client group: Teens and adults with trauma-informed support2-10 minutesGuided worksheetAdult professional use

For clinician-facilitated use

This is a professional resource, not a child-facing online service. A licensed clinician or other qualified adult must determine suitability, explain and adapt the activity, and supervise its use. Do not direct a child to access this webpage independently or enter client information.

Download for facilitated useView collection

The full-resolution WebP includes print-safe margins and should be downloaded by an adult professional. Read the guidance below before using the page.

How to use it

Look through the cards and choose one that feels neutral or manageable; passing is always available.
Try it briefly while keeping your preferred distance, posture, and view of the room.
Notice whether it is neutral, useful, unhelpful, or activating.
Stop, change cards, move toward an exit, or seek support at any time.

Reflection prompts

What made an option feel more or less workable?
What would you like a support person to know about your stop signal?

Facilitator guidance

Offer rather than direct. Begin with environmental orientation and stable external objects; do not surprise the participant, block exits, require closed eyes, insist on breathing, or interpret a lack of benefit as resistance.

Adaptations & accessibility

Use only visual cards and no spoken prompts.
Adjust lighting, distance, sound, texture, or movement demands.
Create personalized cards for known neutral objects and explicit stop choices.

Professional-use review

Enhanced licensed trauma-specialist review required before use; test every prompt for dissociation, sensory triggers, coercion, accessibility, and environmental safety.

This clinician-created resource is published for professional evaluation. Before client use, the treating clinician or other qualified adult must determine whether it is appropriate and complete every specialist, accessibility, safeguarding, and local-policy review named above. Publication does not represent individualized clinical approval.