Trauma Informed Communication Guide: Do’s and Don’t’s
DO
DON’T
SAY: “This is a way to make your case stronger with professional support".”
SAY: “You can share at your own pace, and you can pause of skip a question if you need to.”
SAY: “The evaluator’s role is to write a report to help your case.”
SAY: “Many people feel nervous or emotional - that’s completely normal.”
SAY: “You’ve already survived the hardest part. This evaluation just helps decision-makers understand that.”
DON’T SAY: “We have to send you for an evaluation because that’s what we do for these cases.”
SAY: “It’s not a test - it’s just a conversation to help the evaluator understand your story.”
DON’T SAY: “The evaluator is going to test you to see if you qualify.”
DON’T SAY: “You have to answer all their questions - just get through it.”
DON’T SAY: “The evaluator’s report will decide what happens to your case.”
SAY: “Only the information that helps you case will be included.”
DON’T SAY: Don’t get upset - just stick to the facts.”
DON’T SAY: “Everything you say will be written down and handed to immigration.”
DON’T SAY: “If you don’t do well in the evaluation, it could hurt your case.”