Keywords

community medicine, human trafficking, interdisciplinary communication, mental disorders, mental health services, patient-centered care, psychological trauma, psychotherapy, psychopathology

Abstract

Background: Human trafficking affects millions of people worldwide with multiple adverse outcomes including psychopathology. Although research on human trafficking has become abundant in other academic disciplines (e.g., public health, criminology, social work), healthcare research specific to the mental health treatment of survivors remains limited. Objective: The purpose of this study was to gather recommendations from professionals about mental health treatment of trafficking survivors. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 multidisciplinary professionals working with trafficking survivors. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis methodology. Results: An overarching theme derived from the data concerned the recommendation to implement trafficking survivor-informed care, specifically addressing complex trauma and individual client contexts, such as culture and history prior to trafficking. A second theme emphasized the recommendation for comprehensive care, achieved through outreach efforts, interdisciplinary services, case management, and ongoing training for mental health professionals. Conclusions: Professionals working with trafficking survivors perceived conventional service formats as insufficient, and they recommended personalized and comprehensive healthcare to address multiple needs and extensive trauma history.

Original Publication Citation

Tsoi, C.M.; Smith, T.B.; Cutrer-Párraga, E.; Clayton, D.; Marshall, J.M.; Mastny, J. Recommendations from Multi-Disciplinary Professionals for Survivor-Informed and Comprehensive Care for Human Trafficking Survivors. Healthcare 2025, 13, 3070. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13233070

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2025-11

Publisher

Healthcare 2025

Language

English

College

David O. McKay School of Education

Department

Counseling Psychology and Special Education

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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