Trauma-informed intervention with survivors of human trafficking.

Abstract

As a result of the complex and often severe psychological impacts of sex and labor trafficking (see Chapter 8, this volume), mental health intervention is a significant need for survivors. Current approaches to clinical intervention with trafficking survivors include utilization of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) targeting the primary mental health impacts of trafficking (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], complex posttraumatic stress disorder [C-PTSD], depression, anxiety, substance use problems, suicidal ideation, and self-harm) and other evidence-informed or promising practices, often augmented by a range of adjunctive treatments and strategies to best meet client needs. Unfortunately, treatment outcome research with trafficking survivors is sparse (O'Brien et al., 2022; although see O'Callaghan et al., 2013;Robjant et al., 2017), especially with regard to labor trafficking.A growing body of research suggests that engagement and completion of treatment with survivors of trafficking, regardless of treatment approach or type of trafficking experienced, may be especially challenging (Albright