Welcome to the RECLAIM Lab

The Resilience, Empowerment, Culture, Liberation from Adversity and Identity based stress, and Mental-Wellness (RECLAIM) Lab is a research group directed by Dr. Faith O. Nomamiukor, an assistant professor of Psychology at Sam Houston State University. The RECLAIM Lab studies how trauma survivors reclaim their health, identity, and sense of agency. Our work aims to improve the science of trauma recovery and develop supports that are both grounded in evidence and responsive to the real-world challenges survivors face.

At the RECLAIM Lab, we recognize that trauma recovery is deeply shaped by social and cultural factors. Survivors often face challenges that go beyond the trauma itself. For example, men who have experienced sexual trauma may encounter stigma, self-blame, and pressure to stay silent, all of which can make it harder to seek help or find support. Sexual trauma survivors, in particular, frequently report disbelief, blame, or dismissal when they share their experiences. These responses can limit access to care and reduce opportunities for healing, especially among those whose identities are misunderstood or overlooked.

In addition to psychological and social challenges, trauma can also disrupt important health behaviors. Habits like regular exercise and balanced nutrition are linked to long-term well-being but may be difficult to maintain during trauma recovery. Our research explores how survivors engage with these behaviors and how factors like self-blame and identity-related stress affect daily coping.

Through our research, we want the world to better understand how trauma survivors reclaim wellness.