title: Pathways to Healing: Person-centered Responses to Complementary Services.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This research study assessed perceived changes in quality-of-life measures related to participation in complementary services consisting of a variety of nontraditional therapies and/or programs at Pathways: A Health Crisis Resource Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey data were used to assess perceived changes participants ascribed to their experience with complementary services at Pathways. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using participant demographics together with participant ratings of items from the "Self-Assessment of Change" (SAC) measure developed at the University of Arizona, Tucson. Qualitative data analysis was conducted on written responses to an additional survey question: "To what extent has your participation at Pathways influenced your healing process?"
  
  
  METHODS
  Pathways offers a variety of services, including one-to-one sessions using nontraditional healing therapies, support groups, educational classes, and practice groups such as yoga and meditation for those facing serious health challenges. These services are offered free of charge through community financial support using volunteer practitioners.
  
  
  METHODS
  People (126) diagnosed with serious health challenges who used Pathways services from 2007 through 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participation in self-selected Pathways services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Responses to items on the SAC measure plus written responses to the question, "To what extent has your participation at Pathways influenced your healing process?"
  
  
  RESULTS
  
  Participants reported experiencing significant changes across all components of the SAC measure. Qualitative findings: Responses to the open-ended survey question identified perspectives on the culture of Pathways and a shift in participants' perceptions of well-being based on their experience of Pathways services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participation in services provided by the Pathways organization improved perceptions of quality of life and well-being and led to more active involvement in the experience of a healing process.
authors.affiliation: St Olaf College, University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing, Minneapolis (Dr Johnson), United States.
authors.forename: Mary B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Pathways: A Health Crisis Resource Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Ms Bertrand), United States.
authors.forename: Sharon W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.affiliation: Pathways: A Health Crisis Resource Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Ms Fermon), United States.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fermon
authors.affiliation: Pathways: A Health Crisis Resource Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Ms Coleman), United States.
authors.forename: Julie Foley
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Coleman
keywords: Complementary services; healing; holistic health; person-centered outcomes; self-assessment of change
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