Trauma-informed care is increasingly influencing spiritual direction as religious leaders respond to the prevalence of spiritual trauma and abuse. Over the past decade, seminaries have incorporated these methods into clinical pastoral education, aiming to make congregations safer and more supportive spaces.
Lisa Taylor, a soul-care practitioner with the CHRIS 180 Institute for Spiritual Health, emphasizes the importance of trust and belonging within churches. “One of my greatest desires is for the church to become a sacred sanctuary where people can feel safe to be who they are,” Taylor said.
Rooting Healing in the Body
Trauma-informed care originated in the 1970s, partly in response to the struggles of Vietnam War veterans. Its central tenet is that trauma resides in the body, not just the mind. Addressing trauma requires practices that emphasize bodily awareness and safety, as highlighted by practitioners like Karen Bartlett in Wichita, Kansas.
“When trauma starts to emerge, I look at what they’re feeling in their body,” Bartlett said. “If it gets too uncomfortable, we’ll stop.”
Challenges Within Religious Contexts
Religious trauma often compounds feelings of shame. Author Janyne McConnaughey, who wrote Trauma in the Pews, observes that churches frequently frame trauma as a spiritual problem solvable through prayer or Bible reading. This approach often leaves individuals feeling defeated.
“The words ‘God’ and ‘Father’ are extremely activating for many people,” Bartlett said, emphasizing the need for sensitivity in spiritual dialogue.
Toward Communities of Healing
Despite challenges, spiritual communities can foster safety and connection when guided by trauma-informed principles. Rituals and community practices can provide spaces for integration and healing.
“The scars might remain,” said Rev. Shannon Michael Pater, “but we can integrate these stories into the weave of us and carry on.”
By embracing trauma-informed care, churches can become spaces of trust where individuals find both solace and a path toward healing.
Source:
To Feel Safe In The Pews, Trauma Must Be Acknowledged, Spiritual Directors Say
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