Spiritual Healing for Trauma and Addiction

Book excerpt: Through stories and conversations, Drs. Dolores BigFoot and Allyson Kelley reflect on research, clinical work, faith-based topics, spirituality, and recovery. They invite readers to reflect on what it means to walk on a healing path. Beginning with a brief history of broken spirits and a broken world, the book then discusses the causes of brokenness, vulnerability to brokenness, and healing as a construct of social justice and advocacy. The following chapters cover current aspects of healing from the lens of mental health and substance use, addiction, trauma, and recovery. As much of the world struggles with some aspect of brokenness and healing, stories of enduring well provide examples from all relations and walks of life about healing. Theories and research presented throughout the text support stories and concepts presented. Stories about families, coping, grief, loss, and boundaries give readers resources and exercises to help them become whole. Special consideration is given to healing practices and rituals from Native American communities and families. This text is a must-have for mental health practitioners, faith-based organizations, communities, individuals and families, programs, and policymakers interested in healing.