SPICCESS Model for Holistic Wellness 

resource prepared by Raimer Rojas

Trauma-Informed Care The 6 N's of Trauma-Informed Care The C.A.R.E. Framework Humanitarian Crisis Sharing

The *SPICCESS model provides a holistic approach to self-care, combining various wellness practices to nurture a sense of security, reduce stress, and promote healing. 

S - Social

Supportive relationships are essential for feeling safe, connected, and understood. Positive social interactions help reduce isolation and increase resilience. 

P - Physical 

Caring for the body reduces stress, grounds the mind, and promotes healing.  

By caring for the body, people can feel more grounded, safe, and in control, which is essential for overall well-being. 

I - Intellectual 

Stimulating the mind improves focus, builds resilience, and fosters a sense of control.

C - Creative/Recreational 

Creative outlets allow safe expression of feelings, relieve stress, and bring joy. 

C - Career/Work/School

Purposeful work or learning fosters confidence and provides a stable routine, which is key for healing. 

E - Emotional

Emotional care builds resilience and supports the ability to process and manage feelings. 

S - Spiritual

Spiritual practices bring peace, grounding, and connection to a higher power and purpose.

S - Service

Acts of service cultivates compassion, humility and a sense of living for a higher purpose by helping others and contributing positively to the world. 


The therapeutic value of acts of service in trauma care focuses on the personal transformation and emotional benefits that come from helping others. When someone engages in acts of service, it can help shift their focus from their own pain to the needs of others, fostering a sense of purpose that transcends personal suffering. This can cultivate compassion and empathy, which are healing emotions, while also building humility—a recognition of shared human struggle. Living for a higher purpose encourages resilience, giving individuals a way to find meaning beyond their trauma, which can be empowering and restorative.


For trauma survivors, acts of service can also create a sense of agency. By contributing positively to the world, they can reclaim parts of their identity and self-worth that trauma might have eroded, fostering a more hopeful and connected perspective.

By intentionally incorporating these SPICCESS* practices, individuals can nurture a well-rounded approach to self-care, helping to build resilience, support healing, and create a sense of security.


* “Service” was added to the traditional SPICCES model, making it SPICCESS.