Complementary Therapies in Trauma Recovery: A Vital Contribution to Health and Wellbeing
Foundation House’s Complementary Therapies (CT) program, supported by the Jacka Foundation, has been a cornerstone of holistic care for trauma survivors for over 30 years. Recent evaluations (2021–2022) reveal that CTs, including herbal medicine, nutritional therapy, massage, and yoga, are more than adjunct therapies—they’re critical to trauma recovery.
Key Findings
The research shows that CT services greatly enhance clients’ mental, physical, and social well-being. Participants report significant relief from pain and physical symptoms, supporting greater ease in their day-to-day lives and strengthening their engagement in other counseling services. Notably, the CT approach is also viewed as a culturally safe and effective treatment option, empowering clients with choices for their recovery journey.
Research Recommendations
To meet rising demand and improve service delivery, the study recommends expanding CT offerings and setting clear expectations for clients. An outcomes monitoring plan would also further assess CT’s role in trauma recovery, ensuring it continues to meet the evolving needs of clients at Foundation House.
Supporting evidence-based models like this helps strengthen the integration of complementary therapies into healthcare and amplifies their impact on trauma recovery.
