Healing Journey Research Articles

The impact of Covid-19 on recovery after sexual violence and abuse: Voices of help-seeking survivors and those individuals working within specialist support services in England

We examined the impact of Covid-19 on service delivery within specialist sexual violence services and the healing journeys of survivors of sexual violence and abuse through the experiences of 22 professionals and 221 service users in England. The pandemic posed challenges across all sectors and economies across the globe, but practices and innovations that emerged at that time could enhance future services and user experiences. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes within the data. Overall, the negative impacts of Covid-19 outweighed the positive changes: survivors reported increased feelings of depression, anxiety, and worry, exacerbated by isolation and lost connections with friends and family, and access to strategies for managing their mental health. Difficulties/delays in accessing support, service provision, and disruptions to rapport, trust, and safety were widespread in participants’ reports. Conversely, for some, requirements to remain at home provided safety from the world, and space for healing, and even prompted survivors of non-recent abuse to seek help. Remote service delivery was beneficial where clients could be ‘at a distance’ in discussing sensitive issues. Together with insights from professionals about their own isolation, blurred boundaries, and concerns regarding client confidentiality and engagement, this research highlights an agile sector responding to an unprecedented situation. Moving forward, survivors’ preferences for flexible/remote support must be integrated into everyday delivery.

Memory, trauma, and self: Remembering and recovering from sexual abuse in psychedelic-assisted therapy

AbstractBackground and AimsThis article examines the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in addressing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as the result of sexual abuse. PTSD is a prevalent form of mental distress resistant to most conventional treatment methods.MethodsThrough an in-depth analysis of the narratives of two individuals with longstanding, treatment-resistant mental health conditions, who participated in a weeklong group-based psychedelic retreat involving psilocybin, the study unveils the intricate interplay between psychedelic-assisted therapy, memory, and narrative in the healing process.ResultsThe research findings suggest that beyond the commonly acknowledged therapeutic effects of psychedelic drugs, psilocybin can facilitate the retrieval of repressed or forgotten traumatic memories, allowing for conscious awareness, recognition, and reconciliation. A noteworthy aspect of the healing progression observed is the re-narration of one's identity and biographical circumstances following the recovery of unresolved traumatic memories.ConclusionsThis study underscores the importance of memory and self-narrative in the therapeutic landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapy for trauma. The article concludes by advocating for continued exploration in future research regarding the complex dynamics of memory and self-narrative in the healing journey within psychedelic science and trauma studies.

On a healing journey together and apart: A Swedish critical incident technique study on family involvement from a patient perspective in relation to elective open-heart surgery.

As family members affect patient outcomes following open-heart surgery, the objective was to provide updated knowledge on family involvement in to guide future interventions facilitating family involvement. The aim was to explore and describe the experiences and actions of important situations of family involvement asexpressed by patients who underwent elective open-heart surgery in Sweden. The critical incident technique (CIT) was used, which is a qualitative research method suitable for clinical problems when a phenomenon is known but the experiences and consequences of it are not. Considerations for patient integrity were made during the recruitment phase by ensuring that voluntary informed consent was obtained in two steps. Individual interviews were conducted with 35 patients who underwent open-heart surgery in Sweden in 2023. Important situations were analysed according to the CIT method. Two main areas emerged: Patients described important situations of family involvement as experiences of mutual dependency while also being independent individuals. These experiences led to balancing healing and risk-taking activities as a family. The positive consequences of family involvement described by patients included improved recovery through practical help at home and emotional support. As complements to preserving the existing positive aspects of family involvement, social support screening, the establishment of individualised visitation policies and the provision of professional and peer support earlier can improve patient recovery following open-heart surgery.

Body and Imagination: Healing Trauma through Ignatian Meditation and Bio-Spiritual Focusing

Abstract: Ignatian meditation and bio-spiritual focusing (or BSF) hold healing potential for those recovering from the effects of trauma. This essay, originally delivered as the presidential address of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality in November 2023, outlines the nature and sources of trauma, explores its effects on the human psyche and body, and offers healing pathways from two streams in Christian spirituality—imaginative Ignatian prayer and BSF. It also explores the theological and spiritual implications of Christ's solidarity with the sufferer, and some of the ways in which Christ offers compassionate witness and embodied presence for those on the healing journey.

Pioneering approaches: Navigating mind wandering and self-silencing in dissociated adolescent female sexual trauma survivors - An interpretative phenomenological analysis

BackgroundMinimal exploration exists on mind wandering and self-silencing in adolescent girls with sexual trauma and dissociation. ObjectiveTo investigate the lived experiences of female adolescent sexual trauma survivors with dissociation, focusing on overcoming mind-wandering and self-silencing through Pranayama, mindfulness meditation, music, and art therapy. Participants and settingsThis study, conducted in Sikkim, India, addresses a research gap in a culturally distinct context. Three adolescent girls diagnosed with PTSD and dissociation by a psychiatrist were selected through purposive sampling. MethodThis study uses Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore participants' individual stories and perspectives. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the lived experiences and narratives of three participants. ResultsThe IPA analysis revealed three super-ordinate themes: coping mechanisms, support and relationships, and, therapeutic approaches and the healing journey. In coping mechanisms participants reported (1) mind-wandering, self-blame, and daydreaming, (2) self-silencing, and (3) sublimation through academic achievement. The support and relationships theme included (1) lack of support from family, (2) attachment issues with mothers, (3) gender-based double standards, (4) Lack of infrastructure and health care human resources, with some participants turning to (5) faith-healing for mental health issues. The therapeutic approaches and healing journey theme demonstrated the effectiveness of Pranayama, mindfulness meditation, music, and art therapy in alleviating mind-wandering and self-silencing. ConclusionsThis study underscores the resilience of survivors of post-sexual trauma, advocating for culturally sensitive healing and evidence-based practices. Addressing mind-wandering and self-silencing through Pranayama, mindfulness meditation, music, and art therapy strengthens support systems, pioneering ways to mitigate the impact of sexual abuse.

Establishing a Cutoff Score for the Healing after Gender-based Violence Scale (GBV-Heal): A Brief Report

Abstract Purpose To evaluate a cutoff score for the Healing after Gender-based Violence Scale (GBV-Heal)—an instrument to assess recovery progress for survivors of GBV. Methods We surveyed 321 women-identifying GBV survivors living in the Midwestern United States from April to December 2022 to evaluate their mental health symptom burden, trauma coping self-efficacy, sense of meaning, healing progress, and recovery stage. We used Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis to determine the best cutoff score for the GBV-Heal. Results We found a cutoff point of 64 for the GBV-Heal. Those above this cutoff point were found to have significantly lower PTSD and depression symptoms and significantly higher trauma coping self-efficacy and sense of meaning compared to those below the cutoff point. Conclusions The GBV-Heal cutoff score can help practitioners recognize survivors needing additional support or resources as they navigate their healing journey. The use of this scale can promote tailored care for survivors seeking healing support in a variety of public health sectors.

Researching Leisure in the Aftermath of Trauma: An Auto-Ethnography of Loss, Fear, and Working with Refugee Families

In this auto-ethnographic study, I examine the tensions in conducting leisure research with communities experiencing trauma as a survivor of trauma. I use diary entries taken during times of coping with my mother’s illnesses, and during a two-week period working with Syrian refugee families in Lebanon, to explore narratives of leisure as a means to heal and belong. Results from a narrative analysis reflect (1) renegotiating an empathetic researcher identity after trauma; and (2) affordance for safe leisure and opportunities to heal. These narratives contribute to enriching understandings of self-compassion within leisure research, with a focus on the capacity for leisure researchers to meaningfully engage with their experiences to deepen their engagement with families. It is my hope findings from this study can aid researchers in reflecting on their own trauma and healing journeys – and in doing so strengthen their capacities to care for others and themselves.

A healing journey with animals

Researchers have recognized animals' psychotherapeutic roles in mental health, emphasizing the importance of human–animal interaction and relationships. However, empirical evidence supporting the mental health benefits of animals in a tourism context is lacking. To address this gap, a mixed-method approach featuring a triangulation design was used to determine how human–animal interaction can enhance mental health–related indictors during animal-based tourism. Quantitative data revealed that human–animal interaction during such tourism experiences indirectly relates to tourists’ self-efficacy, self-esteem, and feelings of depression, mediated by the human–animal relationship. Meanwhile, qualitative findings showed that different types of human–animal interactive activities uniquely affect mental health–related outcomes in the tourism context. Our research affirms the significance of human–animal interaction and relationships in tourism: they can provide participants with emotional and cognitive benefits. The findings of the study inform relevant policies, and guide tourism product design.

Commemorating the Events of May 4, 1970 at Kent State University, USA: An Analysis of the Reconciliation Process

On May 4, 1970, American history saw a violent outburst between the US government and anti-Vietnam War demonstrators. On this day, protesters who were unarmed and gathered on the Kent State University campus were opened fire upon by Ohio State National Guardsmen. Four students were dead and nine injured in the span of thirteen seconds. Emotions swept across the USA following the shootings. Discussions concerning the shootings' purpose, significance, and memory are still ongoing. Many memorials have been built in the decades after the May 4th shootings as a way to remember the atrocity. This study aims to provide an overview of the May 4th events at Kent State University and the memorializing process that has occurred on campus. This study describes and analyzes some of the commemorations such as the candlelight walk and vigil, memorials, and their function in the transitioning process. The main discussion of this article revolves around the effectiveness of the assistance given to the victims in their healing journey, the adequacy of the support, and the exploration of other options. Additionally, it explores alternative strategies for healing. Finally, this article offers the establishment of a historical truth commission for promoting the healing process.

“My healing journey gives back to my communities”: Experiences of intersectional resilience and liberation among queer and trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

“My healing journey gives back to my communities”: Experiences of intersectional resilience and liberation among queer and trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

Supplemental Material for “My Healing Journey Gives Back to My Communities”: Experiences of Intersectional Resilience and Liberation Among Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

Supplemental Material for “My Healing Journey Gives Back to My Communities”: Experiences of Intersectional Resilience and Liberation Among Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

Religious/Spiritual Abuse, Meaning-Making, and Posttraumatic Growth

While religion and spirituality (R/S) have been broadly studied for their positive mental health impacts, instances of abuse within religious or spiritual contexts remain under-researched. This scoping review aims to elucidate how individuals experiencing such abuse navigate their trauma, find meaning, and foster posttraumatic growth (PTG). The research was conducted using a scoping review methodology as a guide, and 10 articles were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Synthesizing these articles revealed the following three central themes: recognizing abuse, relaying one’s story, and redefining spirituality. Survivors often face disbelief and stigma, hindering their ability to process their experiences. However, narrative sharing enables many to reclaim agency and healing through validation and the integration of the narrative into one’s life story. Additionally, survivors often transform spirituality, shifting from rigid frameworks to more nuanced and flexible understandings of the Divine and self. These findings underscore the importance of trauma-informed, spiritually sensitive clinical approaches that validate survivors’ experiences, facilitate narrative sharing, and support spiritual redefining. Future research must address knowledge gaps, including the development of improved assessment tools, exploration of effective treatment strategies, and the unifying of terms to better support survivors’ healing journeys and promote meaning-making and PTG in the aftermath of R/S abuse.

Exploring Psychedelics for Alleviating Existential and Spiritual Suffering in People With Serious Illnesses: Links to the Theory of Self-Transcendence.

The fields of palliative and holistic Nursing are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for the person, emphasizing special attention to the existential and spiritual aspects of care. Psychedelic-assisted therapy has emerged as a promising approach for symptom management in individuals with serious illnesses, particularly those of existential and spiritual origin. People who undergo challenging experiences, as is the case with serious illnesses, often undergo an identity crisis and question the purpose of their lives. Psychedelic therapy, when conducted properly by trained professionals, can facilitate self-exploration and self-transcendence, opening doors to states of expanded consciousness and fostering a profound connection with oneself. This experience can help patients develop a greater sense of self-awareness and a deeper understanding of their existential and spiritual issues, enabling them to find meaning and inner peace. The Theory of Self-Transcendence theory provides a Nursing framework for understanding how psychedelic-assisted therapy can facilitate, through self-transcendence, the journey of spiritual and existential healing, offering the possibility of achieving wellbecoming from a state of vulnerability.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members' experiences of care in an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service transforming to a Patient Centred Medical Home.

Background Few studies have examined patient experiences of the Patient Centred Medical Home (PCMH). This qualitative study explores the experiences of patients of an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service during its transition to a model of a PCMH. Methods Twenty-eight community members who were registered as patients of an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service were purposively recruited to participate in yarning interviews. Yarns were conducted using a guide containing open-ended questions in the same domains as those used in patient satisfaction surveys at the participating clinic. Data from yarns were analysed by Aboriginal and non-Indigenous researchers using thematic analysis. The interpretations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers were privileged in the analysis. Results Key themes highlighted the importance of relationships, connectedness, and personal growth and empowerment to community members' health and wellbeing, which they described as a journey of healing and recovery. Delays in implementing a process to empanel patients in a care team meant that most community members were unaware a PCMH had been implemented. However, community members commonly reported a more welcoming environment, more contact with the same doctor and more involvement of Aboriginal Health Workers in their care. Conclusions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members' narratives of their experiences bear evidence of the acceptability of a PCMH model for delivery in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to improve relational care between patients and health staff. A patient-directed empanelment process has been implemented to better connect patients to their care team in the clinic, and the role of the Aboriginal Health Worker reshaped to strengthen connections between patients and their care team in and outside the clinic.

Characteristics and Neural Mechanisms of Sleep-Wake Disturbances After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Sleep-wake disturbances (SWDs) are one of the most common complaints following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The high prevalence and socioeconomic burden of SWDs post-TBI have only been recognized in the past decade. Common SWDs induced by TBI include excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), hypersomnia, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Sleep disturbances can significantly compromise quality of life, strain interpersonal relationships, diminish work productivity, exacerbate other clinical conditions, and impede the rehabilitation process of TBI patients. Consequently, the prompt regulation and enhancement of sleep homeostasis in TBI patients is of paramount importance. Although studies have shown that abnormal neural network function, neuroendocrine changes, disturbance of sleep-wake regulators, and immune inflammatory responses related to brain structural damage induced by TBI are involved in the development of SWDs, the exact neuropathological mechanisms are still poorly understood. Therefore, we systematically review the current clinical and experimental studies on the characteristics and possible neural mechanisms of post-TBI SWDs. Elucidating the neural underpinnings of post-TBI SWDs holds the potential to diversify and enhance therapeutic approaches for these conditions. Such advancements could hasten the recuperation of TBI patients and ameliorate their overall quality of life. It is our aspiration that departments specializing in neurosurgery, rehabilitation, and neuropsychiatry will be able to recognize and address these conditions promptly, thereby facilitating the healing journey of affected individuals.

When the therapist's and the client's woundedness meet: Dialogical selves of Filipino self‐identified wounded healers

AbstractIntroductionThe dominant literature on wounded healers assumes that the healer must be healed of one's wounds to be an effective therapist and that countertransference, moments in therapy when a healer's wounds are activated, must be successfully managed. Lacking in the literature is an understanding of the internal dynamics of wounded healers as they navigate moments of countertransference. Veering away from a unitary and static view of the self, we argue for a shift in how we understand wounded healers using the lens of a multiple and dynamic self. Through Herman's dialogical self‐theory, we conceptualise the wounded healer as having multiple selves—the wounded self (WS) and the therapist self (TS). Each self is an I‐position with its own unique voices and narratives.MethodThrough in‐depth interviews with Filipino self‐identified wounded healers, we examine the internal voices of the WS and TS during moments of countertransference, as the WS meets the client's wounded self.FindingsResults show that the participants' characterisation of their WS, or where they are in their journey of healing or recovery, shapes their countertransference experience. Participants with recovered WS channelled the voices of calm recognition and differentiation. Voices of identification, re‐experiencing and differentiation surfaced among participants with recovering WS. Participants with emerging WS transitioned from a voice of not knowing to a voice of identification.ConclusionBeing aware of and listening to the voices of the WS alongside the TS is key in navigating countertransference. The implications of a dialogical understanding of wounded healers in clinical practice are discussed.

Transition to a Restraint-Free Inpatient Behavioral Health Setting

Background The use of restrictive interventions, such as mechanical restraints, has been a common practice in behavioral health settings since the field’s early infancy. The use of restraints has a harmful impact on both patients and providers alike, contraindicating the therapeutic treatment environment aimed to support the healing journey. Using a strategy of leadership, workplace development, and data, the use of mechanical restraints was fully eliminated from a 252-bed inpatient setting. Performance was sustained over the following year. Objectives The goal of this project was to fully eliminate the use of mechanical restraints in an inpatient behavioral health setting. Adopting the Six Core Strategies for Reducing Seclusion and Restraint Use, the hospital sought to provide staff with alternative tools supported by an evidence-based practice. The result would be a reduction of trauma and injury occurring during the restraint process. Methods This quality improvement project identified processes, structures, and patient outcomes related to restraint reduction within the organization. Each opportunity for improvement included a needs assessment for the identified barriers. The action steps necessary to implement change and accomplish the goal of reducing the use of four-point mechanical restraints in hospitalized patients were guided by trauma-informed care and the Six Core Strategies, in turn decreasing physical and psychological injuries, and improving patient care. Results Progress toward zero mechanical restraints was incremental. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used on a daily basis to support staff interventions. Active investment from leadership and allied professions provided support for a culture shift that went from using mechanical restraint almost daily to a culture where mechanical restraint is seen as a failure. This success was sustained through 2022 and is now a standard expectation for care at Belmont. This project enabled the removal of mechanical restraints from an acute inpatient behavioral health hospital servicing children, adolescents, and adults. The factors that supported the success of this project were true endorsement from leadership, robust staff training, and continuous feedback and supervision. Sustainability over at least one year was achieved. Conclusions Belmont is not the first inpatient setting to eliminate restraints for its programming; however, this project provides additional evidence that a restraint-free inpatient setting is possible with sufficient investment in staff and training. Using trauma-free interventions was an additional quality benefit that has enhanced the advantages of the way this program was designed. The implementation of this model and supporting interventions can provide a roadmap for other programs seeking to enhance the inpatient experience for both staff and patients.

Conversion practices in Aotearoa New Zealand: Developing a holistic response to spiritual abuse.

Research arising from conversion practices, also known as conversion therapy and sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts, has generally been underpinned by an emancipatory discourse that has evolved to counter harmful practices by evidencing associated harms and estimating prevalence. Little attention, however, has focused on what is required to support survivors, inclusive of those currently or those having previously experienced conversion efforts. Within a context of Aotearoa New Zealand having recently criminalised conversion practices, this study adopted an in-depth qualitative research design, informed by a dual adherence to life history and an empowerment methodology. Twenty-three religious conversion practice survivors, who had experienced religious conversion practices across a range of Christian identified faith settings, were interviewed. Participants had a median age of 34 and the majority identified as New Zealand European, cisgender, and gay. Participant narratives were discursively analysed. Three primary discourses were identified that inform the needed development of interventions and supports: 1) pervasive framing of conversion practices as harm, rather than spiritual abuse, has minimised the impacts of conversion practices. Rather, conceptualising conversion as spiritual abuse positions conversion practices as requiring urgent intervention and ongoing support, inclusive of the development of policy and operational responses; 2) the coercive nature of spiritual abuse needs to be appreciated in terms of spiritual, social, and structural entrapment; 3) the metaphor of a pipeline was enlisted to encapsulate the need for a multidimensional array of interventions to ensure those entrapped within spiritual abuse have a "pipeline to safety". Holistic survivor-centric conversion-related responses to spiritual abuse are required. These need to be informed by an understanding of entrapment and the associated need for holistic responses, inclusive of extraction pathways and support for those entrenched within abusive religious settings, support immediately after leaving abusive environments, and support throughout the survivors' healing journeys.

Walking together in friendship: Learning about cultural safety in mainstream mental health services through Aboriginal Participatory Action Research.

Culturally safe service provision is essential to improving social and emotional wellbeing among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and to eliminating health inequities. Cultural safety is about ensuring that all people have a safe and healing journey through services, regardless of their cultural background. In this project, we aim to (1) understand how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples conceptualise cultural safety, and (2) co-design a qualitative interview for the next phase of this project, where we plan to learn about experiences of cultural safety within mental health services. We conducted six focus groups (in one metro and two regional areas, Western Australia). Following an Aboriginal Participatory Action Research methodology, we yarned with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health service users, carers, community members, mental health professionals and Cultural Healers about cultural safety. Participants described a culturally safe service as one where Aboriginal cultural knowledges, life experiences, issues and protocols are understood and acknowledged, and reported that mainstream mental health services are not currently culturally safe. Participants emphasised the importance of building trust, rapport, reciprocity and following appropriate relational processes when designing a qualitative interview for the next phase. A lack of cultural safety in mental health services is likely to contribute to the disparity in outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. Embedding cultural safety into research design allows for authentic community engagement and facilitates knowledge sharing around ways to improve cultural safety in mental health services.

Programs supporting incarcerated and previously incarcerated indigenous peoples: a scoping review protocol

ABSTRACT The overincarceration of Indigenous peoples and its impacts on individual and community health is a growing concern across Canada and the United States. Federally run Healing Lodges in Canada are an example of support services for incarcerated and previously incarcerated Indigenous peoples to reintegrate into community and support their healing journey. However, there is a need to synthesise research which investigates these programmes. We report a protocol for a scoping review that is guided by the following research question: What is known about culturally informed programmes and services available to incarcerated and previously incarcerated Indigenous peoples in Canada and the US? This scoping review will follow guidelines published by the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews. This review will only identify programmes that are guided by Indigenous ways of being and knowing in order to best serve Indigenous communities and our community partners. The results of this review will support the development of programmes that are necessary for understanding and addressing the diverse needs of incarcerated and previously incarcerated Indigenous peoples.