The phenomenon of healing the the context of psychological trauma

This study emerges from an interest in gaining a deeper understanding of the experience of healing. The research team seek to explore how ways of knowing and doing that differ from the Western medical model, may be able to add to and enhance the outcomes and experiences of people who access mental health services and systems. The overarching research aim is to be able to describe what healing is, from the perspective of those who intentionally engage in it either as healers or as those who seek to be healed. We acknowledge that healing can occur unintentionally through a range of experiences or practices, however we are interested in this study, in the experiences of people who decide to seek out healing. We aim to develop understanding of what the essence, or core elements of the experience of healing are for this group. Related to this, more specifically, we are interested in connection, readiness and transformation or change. In relation to readiness, it is recognised that contextual conditions of individual’s lives will influence their capacity and opportunity to engage in healing experiences. For example, social and economic factors such as access to financial resources, housing security and freedom from violence would be significant as would the quality of social supports. Research questions include: Connection: What is important in healing relationships (to self, spiritual elements, nature, ritual, healers, other people, animals, etc.) and what is it that makes a relationship a healing relationship? Readiness: How does intention influence or shape the healing experience? How does an individual decide or know they are ready for healing and how do they allow or permit the healing to occur (in mind, body and spirit)? What are the barriers to healing? How do people ‘open’ themselves to the possibility of healing? How is an individual’s autonomy and agency amplified and respected in the healing journey? Transformation or change: How do people explain what happens when healing occurs? What is the change? What happens in the body? In the soul? As well as in the emotions and thoughts? How do people describe the change that takes place and how do they experience that something has changed? These questions will be explored through open interviews and observation. The research teams will be separated into teams according to the country they are located in, for the purposes of data collection and initial analysis.