How To Ensure Your Website Is Comforting To Potential Clients
It’s possible, maybe even likely, that when someone is searching for a therapist or healer’s website they are in a heightened state of anxiety, or shame, or sadness. A nervous system that is already overwhelmed will process information differently; for instance, some of the hallmark symptoms of PTSD are difficulty remembering, planning, and problem-solving. So, a website that is easy to navigate, is written with an empowering tone, includes calming colors, gentle imagery and typography will benefit a viewer in distress. Design is received viscerally before it’s understood as information and is a really good way to communicate the kind of work you do.
COLOR | TYPOGRAPHY | SHAPES | LAYOUT | TONE
Color
- Choose a base palette of cool and neutral tones then layer in subtle warm accents
- Avoid neon and highly saturated colors that can be overstimulating
- Favor soft beige and oat colors over stark white
- Cool colors (blues, greens, and purples) are used in trauma-informed interior design because of their calming effect on a person’s nervous system.
Colors That Comfort
Soft Greens, Blues, and Purples
- Soft greens and blues like mint, sage, and powder blue create a serene environment that lowers anxiety levels, reduces heart rate, and relaxes speeding thoughts
- Periwinkle and lavender shades add healing, spirituality, and optimism
Earthy Neutrals with Nature-Inspired Warm Accents
- Earthy neutrals provide a safe and welcoming backdrop
- Warm accents used sparingly can evoke emotional warmth and a feeling of being cared for – soft pinks, earthy oranges, light yellows
- Gentle color shifts can help a viewers eye travel with ease
- A variety of earthy colors can be used to clearly separate sections of a webpage or site
Typography
- Use gentle, legible fonts like humanist sans-serifs (Lato, Work Sans, Mulish Light) and soft serifs (Lora, Newsreader, Cormorant Garamond)
- Use fonts with breathable space between each letter
- Avoid stark geometric fonts and condensed fonts
- Avoid all caps and use bold weights minimally
Wordmark Logos Appropriate For Trauma-Informed Communication
Headline and Body Copy Combinations Appropriate for Trauma-Informed Communication
Shapes
- Soft curves and waves that are repetitive mimic natural motion with predictability
- Symmetrical, balanced shapes and composition of imagery is reassuring and stabilizing.
- Horizontal lines can be grounding and suggest a resting state
- Nature-based forms can soothe the nervous system while suggesting an inevitability of growth
- Use inclusive imagery and avoid symbols with a strong cultural tiea
Layout
- Provide ample white space to let the eyes rest and reduce cognitive load
- Make navigation simple and obvious
- Use a very simple and predictable structure
- The goal is to slow the pace visually so light gradients and short blocks of text are ideal
- Use soft color blocks to give structure and containment to messaging
Tone
- Keep text calm, compassionate, and affirming
- Affirming choices might be “Take your time” “Youre welcome here”
- Provide alerts before presenting potentially distressing material
- Use plain, straightforward language without jargon
- Gently imply hope
Creating a Virtual Space Where Viewers Feel Safe and Respected
For therapists and wellness professionals focused on trauma-informed care, design techniques that honor the sensitivities of people who have experienced traumatic events helps avoid sensory overload and creates a virtual space where visitors feel safe and respected. When a design feels thoughtful and considerate, it sends a message that the therapist understands trauma and its effects. This can reduce anxiety or fear around seeking help, encouraging potential clients to reach out and engage with you.
SOURCES
Trauma-Informed Design
Syrokostas, Kon. Apr 2024. Where To Find Your Next Font. Trauma-Informed Design Reflections #9
Decker, Eva. May 2021. To Build Gentler Technology, Practice Trauma-Informed Design.
Slade, Melanie. Fall 2022. The Sexual Assault Resource Agency. Learning How To Create Trauma-Informed Graphic Design.
Every, Kate. Jun 2023. Why Trauma-Informed Approaches Are Vital To Design And Research.
>Design, Nicole. Jan 2024. Trauma Informed Design Within The Digital Product (UI & UX) World.
Wechsler, Jax. Aug 2021. Trauma-informed design research.
Edwards, Rachel. Jun 2023. Content Design London. Using trauma-informed principles in content design.
Birdcall. User Experience Design For A Better World. Mar 2024. Resources for Trauma-Informed UX Design.
Eggleston, Melissa. Oct 2017. Trauma-Informed Website Resources.
Legawiec, Megan. May 2025. UX Content Collective. Trauma-informed content design: a comprehensive guide.
Guhl, Amy. Dec 2022. Neumann Monson Architects. 5 Principles of Trauma-Informed Design.
Elements of Trauma-Informed Design Infographic
Armstrong, Jackie. May 2023. American Alliance of Museums. 3 Trauma-Informed Practices for Museums To Follow.
