Seeking Safety

Seeking Safety: An Evidence-Based Path to Healing

Seeking Safety is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment model designed to help individuals recover from trauma and substance use disorders without requiring them to delve into the details of their traumatic experiences. Developed by Dr. Lisa Najavits, this approach focuses on building practical skills that support safety, stability, and healthy coping in daily life.

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What Makes Seeking Safety Unique?

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Present-Focused & Strength-Based
Seeking Safety helps clients establish immediate coping strategies rather than revisiting painful memories. The focus is on what clients can do right now to create safety in their lives.

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Dual Recovery Approach
The program addresses the interconnected challenges of trauma symptoms and substance use, recognizing that healing both together leads to stronger long-term outcomes.

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Flexible & Client-Centered
Seeking Safety can be delivered in individual or group settings, in-person or virtually, and is adaptable for adults and adolescents. It fits well alongside other therapies and levels of care.

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Core Components of the Model

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Seeking Safety is built around five key principles:

Safety as the Priority – Emotional, physical, behavioral, and relational safety guide every session.

Integrated Treatment – Trauma and substance use are addressed together for more cohesive healing.

A Focus on Ideals – Clients are supported in increasing compassion, integrity, healing, and personal strengths.

Attention to Clinician Processes – Providers are encouraged to maintain authenticity, self-care, and grounding.

Simple, Practical Coping Skills – The program teaches tools clients can use immediately in everyday life.

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What Clients Learn

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The curriculum includes 25 topics that help clients develop:

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Grounding and emotion-regulation strategies

Healthy relationships and communication skills

Boundaries and self-advocacy

Managing triggers and high-risk situations

Replacing unsafe coping with supportive alternatives

Clients leave the program with a strong foundation for continued growth and recovery.

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Evidence of Effectiveness

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Seeking Safety has been studied extensively for more than 20 years and is one of the most widely implemented treatments for trauma and co-occurring disorders. Research shows improvements in:

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PTSD symptoms

Substance use

Coping skills and emotional regulation

Social functioning and overall well-being

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Seeking Safety at The Resilience Center

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At The Resilience Center, we incorporate Seeking Safety into our trauma-informed continuum of care to support clients in regaining control, rebuilding stability, and moving toward long-term recovery. Our clinicians are trained in delivering the model with compassion, clarity, and respect for each person’s lived experience.