I like the term trauma-informed care when describing a local church ministry that seeks to care for those struggling with posttraumatic stress. But what does being trauma-informed mean in a local church setting?
A clinical definition of being trauma-informed often means knowing any adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) a person encountered as a first step for treating ongoing mental health issues. The reason is that those with higher ACEs scores reveal significant experiences during their formative years as a child. Significant and adverse experiences have been determined to contribute to long term mental health issues and health problems among adults. Providing clients with an ACE Test during intake becomes an important tool for clinicians.
Within the context of the local church, I prefer to define trauma-informed care as having a foundational knowledge of posttraumatic stress (PTS), secondary traumatic stress (STS), moral injury (MI), and posttraumatic growth (PTG). I also recommend that a local congregation talk with and have a list of counselors in the area along with their knowledge of treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and stellate ganglion block (SGB). It is also recommended to know how to connect veterans to peer-to-peer faith-based programs like Mighty Oaks Foundation, Joni and Friends Warrior Getaways, and REBOOT Recovery.
The purpose of a congregation having this foundational knowledge on trauma and various treatment programs is not to be viewed as a counseling center, but to walk alongside those struggling with PTS, STS, and MI. Understanding trauma also encourages local counselors that they have a valued and trusted partner in promoting mental health care in the community.
Being trauma-informed promotes a true holistic approach to trauma care for the individual and their family. Post-traumatic stress can impact the entire family and why the entire family must be included in the healing process. The local church is key here in that the local church contributes to the strengthening of relationships (family-congregation-community) while providing hope in the healing journey. Two areas that even clinicians understand and promote in mental health seminars as significant contributors in trauma recovery – relationships and hope!
Trauma-informed care for the local church is educationally focused to teach the congregation foundational knowledge on how traumatic stress impacts the entire person (mind, body, soul) and their family. Being trauma-informed takes nothing away from the person or work of God. Scripture even reveals how God used plants and mud in the treatment of significant issues. Understanding the human body, brain, and various treatments glorifies God’s goodness! Therefore learn about them and embrace evidence-based best practices while praising the Lord for His grace and comfort!
Trauma-informed care in a local church is not complicated. It is a commitment to understand PTS, STS, MI, and PTG for the sake of those in our community and those already in the pews who silently struggle with traumatic-stress related issues.
There is hope!
All the best!
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your blog?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of
content so people could connect with it better.
Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 images.
Maybe you could space it out better?
Thank you for visiting my page and for your suggestions. All the best!
First of all I would like to say terrific blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you do not mind.
I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing.
I’ve had difficulty clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there.
I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like
the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or tips?
Cheers!
Cedric, clearing one’s mind can be challenging. I struggled for one year while writing my dissertation. It was frustrating as I couldn’t find the words, the motivation, or the passion to write. The writing process can be challenging as you are putting yourself out there, so to speak, but there are many helpful tools that I use to prepare. First, I kept a pad of paper and pen handy to write down thoughts on each topic that I plan to write about. Some topics are still on that pad of paper as they haven’t been fully developed. Second, I write early in the day which is when I feel the clearest. I try to stay consistent in this too. I will write throughout the day on that pad of paper or even take notes electronically using apps from Jetpack/WordPress that manage my blog, Nebo, and even the Notes app. Next, I use Grammarly to help with my writing. As the saying goes, writing is hard but the more you write the better you become at writing. Lastly, proofread but don’t delay in posting it. I can go back and find errors or better ways to say something. So I don’t delay in posting after reviewing my work. Get it out there and keep going!
All the best! Richard
Hey there! I know this is somewhat off-topic however I had to ask.
Does building a well-established blog like
yours take a large amount of work? I am brand new to running a blog
but I do write in my diary everyday. I’d like to start a blog
so I can share my own experience and views online.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips for new aspiring
blog owners. Thankyou!
Holly, I went through the Free Website Guys for assistance in building the site. They offer many templates and then work with you in building it exactly as you want, page by page. I have since made modifications, but they were the ones that got my site up and running. All the best!
It’s great that you are getting ideas from this paragraph as well as from our
argument made here.
Gidget, thank you for visiting my page. My posts originate from personal and pastoral experiences and academic studies. I have not read your argument or visited your page. All the best!