The trauma of child sex trafficking can leave survivors with deep physical, mental, and emotional wounds that are difficult to heal through traditional medical methods. Holistic healing practices can help restore a sense of childhood and offer peace and healing on the recovery journey.
Holistic healing approaches the well-being of the person as a whole rather than treating specific symptoms or conditions individually. A holistic approach to healing can provide hope and restoration for survivors of sex trafficking. By treating individuals with compassion and addressing their physical, mental, and emotional needs, this approach can help heal wounds and facilitate a smoother transition back to daily life. Let’s explore the concept of holistic healing, the various types of treatments, and the benefits of adopting a holistic approach.
Definition
Holistic healing is a comprehensive approach to health and wellness that recognizes the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit. It can be used to address a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional concerns, such as stress, anxiety, depression, physical abuse, sexual abuse, drug abuse, grief, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. However, it is important to recognize that each individual’s needs and experiences are unique, and a personalized approach is often necessary for effective healing.
The ultimate goal of holistic healing is to create a safe and supportive environment for survivors to heal from the interconnected trauma they have endured. This approach recognizes an individual’s concerns and addresses them as a whole rather than focusing on specific symptoms in their journey towards healing and recovery.
Types of Holistic Healing Treatments
While holistic healing may vary depending on the facility, practitioner, or individual needs, holistic healing treatment plans tend to include many similar practice areas. Some of the most common approaches may include a range of practices, such as counseling / therapeutic sessions, medical appointments, life skills classes, education, recreational activities, and animal-assisted therapy, as well as living at a safe home campus. These practices are often used in combination to address the various needs of the individual.
For child sex trafficking survivors, it is important to find a holistic healing program that offers a variety of treatment approaches in order to effectively address the trauma they have experienced and help them heal properly. Programs that utilize a variety of types of holistic healing treatments in combination with therapeutic recreation can provide a supportive and comfortable environment for children to heal and reclaim their childhood.
*If you are considering holistic healing methods, then it is important to note that you should consult with a trained and qualified practitioner before beginning any new holistic healing practice.
Benefits of Holistic Healing
Traditional approaches to treating the trauma experienced by child sex trafficking survivors often focus on physical recovery, but may not address the mental and emotional aspects of healing. On the other hand, holistic healing recognizes the importance of addressing the individual needs of survivors, including their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Some of the top benefits of incorporating holistic healing into a recovery program for child sex trafficking survivors include:
- Comprehensive care that addresses the overall well-being of survivors through healing their physical, mental, and emotional trauma.
- A safe, supportive, and secure environment where survivors can heal and recover at their own pace.
- Integrates the benefits of physical care with mental health care for treating deep levels of trauma.
- Facilitates growth and opportunities for self-discovery as survivors heal from trauma and learn how to trust again.
- Encourages self-care and empowerment for survivors to know their worth and how they deserve to be respected.
Holistic Healing at Bridging Freedom
Based in Tampa, FL, Bridging Freedom is a leading provider of holistic healing services for child sex trafficking survivors. Our Tampa Bay campus offers long-term, individualized, and interdisciplinary care in a therapeutic safe home environment, making it the first facility of its kind in Florida to provide this comprehensive level of care.
Our experienced team is dedicated to helping survivors find restoration and healing through our multi-layered approach to treatment. Equine Therapy (therapy that incorporates horses into the healing process) and Art Therapy (therapy that leverages the creative process of art and the resulting artwork as a healing technique) are both important parts of the holistic healing program at Bridging Freedom’s therapeutic safe home campus.
At Bridging Freedom, we offer a range of programs and services to support the healing and recovery of child sex trafficking survivors. Our safe home environment includes individual bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as residential caretakers to guide survivors through the program. Our holistic approach to healing includes, but is not limited to, medical care, alcohol/drug rehabilitation, therapeutic recreation, life skills training, and transitional mentorship. We strive to provide survivors with the resources they need to heal and rebuild their lives. You can learn more about the specific services offered at our Tampa Bay campus here.
Bridging Freedom | Restoring Stolen Childhoods in Florida
Our team serves as an advocate for restoring stolen childhoods. At Bridging Freedom, we aim to combat domestic minor sex trafficking through our restoration programs for rescued victims by providing therapeutic safe homes for victims. Aside from providing services for victims, Bridging Freedom aims to educate the community about the horrors going on behind closed doors.
Through partnerships with Clearwater / Tampa Bay Area Task Force on Human Trafficking, Tampa Bay FBI Innocence Lost Initiative, and St. Petersburg College Center for Human Trafficking Awareness, Bridging Freedom can help provide victims with a safe place and connect them to necessary resources. In order to allow us to continue doing what we do, Bridging Freedom relies on the generosity and collaboration of our community of supporters. If you would like to be a part of our group of supporters, then we encourage you to donate online at the webpage here.