Building a positive culture of healing is essential in the recovery approach. Since recovering is a long process, a strong supportive network can be helpful.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Jacobson | first1=Nora | last2=Greenley | first2=Dianne | title=What Is Recovery? A Conceptual Model and Explication | journal= Psychiatric Services| volume=52 | issue=4 | year=2001 | issn=1075-2730 | doi=10.1176/appi.ps.52.4.482 | pmid=11274493 | pages=482–485| s2cid=2624547 }}</ref> Appropriate [[house|housing]], a sufficient [[income]], freedom from [[violence]], and adequate access to [[health care]] have also been proposed<ref>{{cite web | title=HE WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY for Mental Health Reform in Ontario | url=https://ontario.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/cmha_ontario_windows_of_opportunity_201003.pdf?utm | access-date=2025-04-06}}</ref> as important tools to empowering someone and increasing her/histheir self-sufficiency.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|last1=Gibbs|first1=Deborah A.|last2=Hardison Walters|first2=Jennifer L.|last3=Lutnick|first3=Alexandra|last4=Miller|first4=Shari|last5=Kluckman|first5=Marianne|date=2015|title=Services to domestic minor victims of sex trafficking: Opportunities for engagement and support|journal=Children and Youth Services Review|language=en|volume=54|pages=1–7|doi=10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.04.003}}</ref> [[Empowerment]] and [[self-determination]] are said to be important to recovery for reducing the social and psychological effects of stress and trauma. Women's Empowerment Theory suggests that recovery from mental illness, substance abuse, and trauma requires helping survivors understand their rights so they can increase their capacity to make autonomous choices.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6" /> This can mean develop the [[confidence]] for independent [[assertive]] [[decision making]] and help-seeking which translates into proper medication and active [[self care]] practices. Achieving social inclusion and overcoming challenging [[social stigma]] and [[prejudice]] about mental [[mental distress|distress]]/[[mental disorder|disorder]]/[[neurodiversity|difference]] is also an important part of empowerment. Advocates of Women's Empowerment Theory argue it is important to recognize that a recovering person's view of self is perpetuated by stereotypes and combating those narratives.<ref name=":0" /> Empowerment according to this logic requires reframing a survivor's view of self and the world.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> In practice, empowerment and building a secure base require mutually supportive relationships between survivors and service providers, identifying a survivor's existing strengths, and an awareness of the survivor's trauma and cultural context.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" />
