--- title: Traumatic Stress Institute Blog | Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW description: Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW, is Vice President of Strategic Development at Klingberg Family Centers and specializes in treatment of traumatized children and their families. She created the Restorative Approach™ , a trauma- and relationship-based treatment method. She is also a Faculty Trainer for Risking Connection® and an Adjunct Faculty at both the University of CT School of Social Work and St. Joseph’s University. She travels nationally to train treaters on trauma-informed care, specializing in improving the daily life of treatment programs. --- [![Traumatic Stress Institute](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/tsi-logo-transparent-sm-3.png?width=1500&height=329&name=tsi-logo-transparent-sm-3.png "Traumatic Stress Institute")](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/) - [About](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/) - [Vision - Mission - Values](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/mission/) - [Traumatic Stress Institute Staff](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/staff/) - [TSI Faculty Trainers](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/rc-faculty-trainers/) - [Sidran](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/sidran-redirect/) - [History of Traumatic Stress Institute](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/company-history/) - [Klingberg Family Centers](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/klingberg-family-centers/) - [Careers](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/careers/) - [Trauma-Informed Care](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/) - [What Is Trauma Informed Care?](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/) - [Trauma-Informed Care for Organizations](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/trauma-informed-care-for-organizations/) - Risking Connection - [RC 25th Anniversary](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/rc-25th-anniversary/) - [Risking Connection Change Model to Trauma-Informed Care – Standard](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/risking-connection-change-model/) - [IDD Organizations & Systems](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/risking-connection-change-model-idd/) - [Current Client Agencies of the Traumatic Stress Institute](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/whole-system-transformation-to-trauma-informed-care-tic/agencies-using-rc-as-training-model/) - [Risking Connection® (RC) Training](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/risking-connection-training/) - [Restorative Approach® (RA) Training](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/restorative-approach-training/) - [ARTIC Scale](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/the-artic-scale/) - [Training Events](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/events/) - [Trainers' Corner](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/trainers-corner/) - [Blog](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog) - [Books](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/books/) - [Helplines](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/hotline-list/) - [Contact](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/contact/) ### Subscribe to updates ### Categories - [Whole-System Change (54)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/whole-system-change) - [Measurement & Research (29)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/measurement-research) - [Mindfulness (24)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/mindfulness) - [IDD Organizations (11)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/idd-organizations) - [Crisis Response (8)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/crisis-response) - [Head Start (8)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/head-start) - [Insider (1)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/insider) See all This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Recent Posts ## Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW, is Vice President of Strategic Development at Klingberg Family Centers and specializes in treatment of traumatized children and their families. She created the Restorative Approach™ , a trauma- and relationship-based treatment method. She is also a Faculty Trainer for Risking Connection® and an Adjunct Faculty at both the University of CT School of Social Work and St. Joseph’s University. She travels nationally to train treaters on trauma-informed care, specializing in improving the daily life of treatment programs. ## Recent Posts [![](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/Blog%20Post%20Cover%20Photos%20-%20Brainstorming%20(4).png)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/traumatic-stress-institute-of-klingberg-family-centers-announces-a-leadership-transition) ## [Traumatic Stress Institute of Klingberg Family Centers Announces a Leadership Transition](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/traumatic-stress-institute-of-klingberg-family-centers-announces-a-leadership-transition) April 29, 2026 by [Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/patricia-d-wilcox-lcsw) [2 Comments](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/traumatic-stress-institute-of-klingberg-family-centers-announces-a-leadership-transition#comments-listing) After 20 years as Director of the Traumatic Stress Institute (TSI), [**Dr. Steve Brown**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-brown-psy-d-baa152a/) will be retiring in June.We are pleased to announce that [**John Engel**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpengel/), TSI’s Associate Director, will assume the position of Director effective June 29, 2026. [Read More](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/traumatic-stress-institute-of-klingberg-family-centers-announces-a-leadership-transition) [![](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/RICH%20Blog%20-%20Hope.png)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/r.i.c.h.-relationships-hope-is-the-foundation-of-all-relationships) ## [Healing Relationships - Hope is the Foundation](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/r.i.c.h.-relationships-hope-is-the-foundation-of-all-relationships) November 12, 2025 by [Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/patricia-d-wilcox-lcsw) posted in [Whole-System Change](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/topic/whole-system-change) [0 Comments](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/r.i.c.h.-relationships-hope-is-the-foundation-of-all-relationships#comments-listing) In honor of 25 years of [Risking Connection®](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/risking-connection-change-model/), this series explores the heart of the [Risking Connection Change Model](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/risking-connection-change-model/): R.I.C.H. relationships – those that exemplify Respect, Information, Connection, and Hope – and the real challenges of living them out. These are the areas where we struggle, stumble, and sometimes become less than helpful to our clients and each other.  In the final post of this series we turn to ***Hope***. Hope is the foundation on which all the other qualities rest. In the dictionary hope is defined as: “to cherish a desire with anticipation;” “to desire with expectation of obtainment;” and “the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.” A RICH relationship in itself creates hope, independently of the external reality. [Read More](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/r.i.c.h.-relationships-hope-is-the-foundation-of-all-relationships) [![](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/Blog%20Post%20Cover%20Photos%20-%20Brainstorming%20(1).png)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/healing-relationships-connection) ## [Healing Relationships - Connection](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/healing-relationships-connection) November 11, 2025 by [Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/patricia-d-wilcox-lcsw) posted in [Whole-System Change](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/topic/whole-system-change) [0 Comments](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/healing-relationships-connection#comments-listing) In honor of 25 years of [Risking Connection®](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/risking-connection-change-model/), this series explores the heart of the Risking Connection Change Model: R.I.C.H. relationships – those that exemplify Respect, Information, Connection, and Hope – and the real challenges of living them out. Join [LaVerne Baker Hotep and Patricia Wilcox, LCSW,](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/rc-faculty-trainers/) on November 12th to learn more about how R.I.C.H. relationships are healing relationships. Now we turn to ***Connection.*** ***Connection*** is the central concept in a trauma-informed approach. People heal within relationships. Our programs should offer our clients R.I.C.H. relationships and train staff how to utilize these relationships for the most powerful healing. [Read More](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/healing-relationships-connection) [![](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/RICH%20Information%20Blog%20Image.png)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/healing-relationships-information-is-shared) ## [Healing Relationships - Information is Shared](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/healing-relationships-information-is-shared) November 6, 2025 by [Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/patricia-d-wilcox-lcsw) posted in [Whole-System Change](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/topic/whole-system-change) [0 Comments](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/healing-relationships-information-is-shared#comments-listing) In honor of 25 years of [Risking Connection](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/rc-25th-anniversary/)®, this series explores the heart of the model: R.I.C.H. relationships – Respect, Information, Connection, and Hope – and the real challenges of living them out. Join [LaVerne Baker Hotep](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/staff/) and [Patricia Wilcox, LCSW,](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/staff/) on November 12th to learn more about how R.I.C.H. relationships are healing relationships. In the first of the series, we discussed the role of Respect in R.I.C.H. relationships. Next, we'll focus on Information. [Read More](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/healing-relationships-information-is-shared) [![](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/RICH%20Respect%20(7).png)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/healing-relationships-respect-between-clients-and-caregivers) ## [Healing Relationships - Respect Between Clients and Caregivers](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/healing-relationships-respect-between-clients-and-caregivers) November 4, 2025 by [Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/patricia-d-wilcox-lcsw) posted in [Whole-System Change](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/topic/whole-system-change) [0 Comments](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/healing-relationships-respect-between-clients-and-caregivers#comments-listing) As part of celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Risking Connection® (RC) training program, we are sharing short RC Sampler Sessions this fall, covering some of its most essential concepts.  One central concept in the Risking Connection Change Model is that the path to healing is through the acronym "R.I.C.H. relationships" – those that embody Respect, Information, Connection and Hope. Over time in our work with client agencies, we have collected many inspiring examples of how staff demonstrate R.I.C.H. with their clients and with each other – but it isn’t easy. Let's explore what is hard about R.I.C.H. in this series of posts. These are the areas where we struggle, stumble, and sometimes become less than helpful to our clients and each other. Let’s look at each part of R.I.C.H. and discover what is hard about it and how we can overcome the challenges. [Read More](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/healing-relationships-respect-between-clients-and-caregivers) [![](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/presenter_1852303360.jpg)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-integration-of-anti-racism-into-tic-training-process-and-discoveries-part-two) ## [The Integration of Anti-Racism into TIC Training: Process and Discoveries - Part Two](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-integration-of-anti-racism-into-tic-training-process-and-discoveries-part-two) June 17, 2022 by [Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/patricia-d-wilcox-lcsw) posted in [Whole-System Change](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/topic/whole-system-change) [0 Comments](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-integration-of-anti-racism-into-tic-training-process-and-discoveries-part-two#comments-listing) As we discussed in a [previous blog post](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-integration-of-anti-racism-into-trauma-informed-care-training-process-discoveries), the Traumatic Stress Institute recognized that while our curriculum included some discussion of social justice, there was much more we could do to focus on and foster discussion about racism.  We understand that it is impossible to separate trauma and racism; racism is a common source of trauma. [Read More](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-integration-of-anti-racism-into-tic-training-process-and-discoveries-part-two) [![](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/Protester_2120568911-1.jpg)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-integration-of-anti-racism-into-trauma-informed-care-training-process-discoveries) ## [The Integration of Anti-Racism into Trauma-Informed Care Training: Process and Discoveries - Part 1](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-integration-of-anti-racism-into-trauma-informed-care-training-process-discoveries) April 6, 2022 by [Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/patricia-d-wilcox-lcsw) posted in [Whole-System Change](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/topic/whole-system-change) [0 Comments](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-integration-of-anti-racism-into-trauma-informed-care-training-process-discoveries#comments-listing) The Traumatic Stress Institute of Klingberg Family Centers (TSI) offers a transformation method to help organizations move toward more trauma-informed care. TSI currently serves 86 agencies in North America and our clients include treatment agencies, schools, head start providers, juvenile justice providers, and hospitals, amongst others. [Read More](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-integration-of-anti-racism-into-trauma-informed-care-training-process-discoveries) [![](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/HelpMe_207625124.jpeg)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/trauma-informed-care-and-productivity-standards) ## [Trauma-Informed Care and Productivity Standards](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/trauma-informed-care-and-productivity-standards) February 18, 2021 by [Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/patricia-d-wilcox-lcsw) posted in [Whole-System Change](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/topic/whole-system-change) [0 Comments](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/trauma-informed-care-and-productivity-standards#comments-listing) Every agency that implements trauma-informed care wonders about an apparent conflict with productivity standards. For example, one of our clients asked: “Have you yet to encounter a system that has figured out how to make productivity standards and trauma informed care co-exist? I am starting to feel that it isn't possible, as productivity standards are what provide revenue for agencies and programs but also are the reason why a work-life balance feels unimaginable.” [Read More](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/trauma-informed-care-and-productivity-standards) [![](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/Home%20336375559.jpeg)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-delicate-balance-of-training-foster-parents) ## [The Delicate Balance of Training Foster Parents](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-delicate-balance-of-training-foster-parents) August 21, 2020 by [Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/patricia-d-wilcox-lcsw) posted in [Whole-System Change](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/topic/whole-system-change) [0 Comments](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-delicate-balance-of-training-foster-parents#comments-listing) As part of our [Whole System Change Model](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/whole-system-transformation-to-trauma-informed-care-tic/), the [Traumatic Stress Institute](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/) offers training to trainers of foster parents. This sort of training requires honoring the unique position and perspective of foster parents, and so it is a different situation than training staff. [Read More](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/the-delicate-balance-of-training-foster-parents) [![](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/Woman%20and%20Young%20Girl229218563.jpeg.jpg)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/what-does-a-trauma-informed-culture-look-like) ## [What Does a Trauma-Informed Culture Look Like?](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/what-does-a-trauma-informed-culture-look-like) August 13, 2020 by [Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/patricia-d-wilcox-lcsw) posted in [Whole-System Change](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/topic/whole-system-change) [1 Comment](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/what-does-a-trauma-informed-culture-look-like#comments-listing) The [Traumatic Stress Institute](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/) is part of [Klingberg Family Centers](https://klingberg.org/), a social service agency in New Britain, CT with a wide range of programs that support children and families struggling with issues of trauma. While preparing my presentation for the [Joint Commission Behavior Health Conference](https://pages.jointcommission.org/ChildWelfareEducationDay.html?utm_source=website&utm_medium=BHC%20Webinar&utm_campaign=BHC%202021%20Vision%20Welfare%20Services) next week (it’s not too late to register!), I remembered that one of our proudest moments during our last survey was when the surveyor remarked that this was a special agency. [Read More](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/what-does-a-trauma-informed-culture-look-like) [All posts](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/all) [Next](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/patricia-d-wilcox-lcsw/page/2) Copyright 2026 | Traumatic Stress Institute