Trauma informed Pastoral care - a briefing.
being researched
Understanding trauma
Ten years along my journey of recovery from sexual trauma,
I hypothesised that sexual trauma is neurophysiological
to which I propose an applied redemptive theological approach.
Issue Paper 10 (scroll down) would be a good place to start
The Blue Knott Foundation run Seminars on Trauma Informed
Trauma Release
When we sit down and have coffee with our Pastor
listening with Pastoral concern and support
we are cognativly releaseing trauma
"talking it out"
at the end of the conversation Pastor offers to pray.
Pastors - if unsure, why not simply pray "God help ......."
maybe "please release the trauma from his/her
body, mind and soul"
Later I will introduce non cognative trauma release.
Elements of recovery
- overcomming denial
- it's not my fault
- being washed and cleansed
- ongoing Passtpral Care
When Forgiveness is helpful.
Forgiveness i the antidote to bitterness and resentment.
Some testify that when they forgave they were healed.
I suggest a particular sequence of factors lined up that way.
It is not good to argue from the particular to the general
there is a time for forgiveness
and for many of us that time is down the track
Forgiveness, at the right time and place
brings a release
failitates progress along ones recovery road.
When imposing forgiveness is not helpful
Forgiveness should not be a condition
nor a demand
not premature
nor forced. I have personally experienced an incident of what amounted to spiritual, emotional and verbal abuse
when it was a power trip and totally unnecessary.
it was certainly trauma uninformed.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan we see:
- love for ones neighbour
- no judgementalism
- no blame
- washing the man's wounds
- bounding up his woulds
- taking him to a place of safety
- a provision of a place to rest and recouperate.
nowhere in the parable is there a referance to forgiveness
being a requirement.
describing ones sexual trauma
naming the sence of betrayal
is not unforgiveness
At this point sexual assault counsellors, psychologists and counsellores can be of assistance.
they are trained in::
- ensuring survivors are safe
- systematically listening (narative therapy) having training in the neurology of sexual abuse
- enabling survivors to tell our story in a shame free place
I feel inadequate here
much to search out
references needed