Applying recovery principles to the treatment of trauma

Abstract

The recovery movement, a paradigm shift in mental health care, recognizes that individuals diagnosed with even the most debilitating and long-standing disorders may still go on to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. Symptom reduction is only part of the recovery process. In this article, we discuss principles of recovery and recommendations concerning the application of these principles to the treatment of individuals with trauma-related difficulties to improve hope, meaning, and overall quality of life. We conclude by identifying diagnostic and treatment approaches that are consistent with principles of recovery, and we discuss how practitioners can incorporate recovery principles into their evidencebased care planning.