trauma informed tattoo interview published on Washington Post

I was humbled last month to be interviewed by journalist Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza about how I integrate a trauma aware approach into my tattooing, and I was absolutely thrilled to find out that our story was recently picked up by the Washington Post.

It's not easy trying to change the way people perceive or experience getting tattooed, especially when the industry has been rough around the edges for so long. But by creating a safe space with open communication and a gentle approach, I hope to make changes that inspire other artists to as well.
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I've included a few snippets of the story below, but be sure to head over to washingtonpost.com for the full article.

​Ruby

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WHY ‘TRAUMA-INFORMED’ CARE IS SPREADING FROM THE THERAPIST’S OFFICE TO YOGA CLASSES AND TATTOO PARLORS
​Article reposted with permission from Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza
​Original story published 2/21/22 • Washingtonpost.com

"For years, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and mental health counselors have practiced trauma-informed care, an approach that acknowledges that people have traumatic experiences and that those experiences can affect their behavior and understanding of the world. The goal of trauma-informed care is to offer more effective therapy by acknowledging trauma, recognizing the signs of trauma, responding to those signs and avoiding re-traumatizing the patient.

Now, professionals and service providers of all kinds outside the mental health field are adopting a trauma-informed mind-set. Lawyers, yoga teachers, photographers, career coaches and tattoo artists are educating themselves about the effects of trauma, approaching their work with this new knowledge in mind and labeling their businesses “trauma-informed.”'

"Ruby Gore is a Philadelphia tattoo artist educating herself about trauma. Like everyone in her field, Gore spends a great deal of time in close physical contact with others, which can be difficult for someone who has had a traumatic experience. She said that when several clients started asking her for scar coverups, often the result of a traumatic event or its long-term effects, she recognized that she needed a specialized approach."