A comprehensive weekend conference for both trauma survivor sufferers and caregivers.
Dr. Hank Visser and Pastor Tracy Linkletter
Please reach us at healing@ihtc.info if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Trauma is any experience that is physically or emotionally hurtful or disturbing, and which exceeds one's capacity to process (or “metabolize”) it, leaving an unhealed psychic or soul "wound."
Biblically the best word is “brokenhearted.” The LORD is close to the brokenhearted. Psalm 34:18
Trauma-informed pastoral or medical care, education, or workplace leadership, shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” A trauma-informed approach to care acknowledges that care teams need to have a complete picture of a person’s life situation — past and present — in order to provide effective pastoral care or healthcare services with a healing orientation.
Trauma A (or little “t” trauma) is lack of good things, such as unconditional love and affirmation. Trauma B (or big “T” trauma) are hurtful things done (such as sexual, physical, or verbal abuse) or witnessed (such as coming upon a deadly or bloody accident scene).
Trauma survivors with unprocessed and unhealed trauma are at increased risk for physical illness and early death, mental health challenges, relational struggles, and spiritual stagnation or regression.
Here are known ways that trauma affects well-being:
1. Fragmented memory processing (flashbacks, nightmares)
2. Increased vigilance of the amygdala and limbic system (fear, anxiety, eating disorders)
3. Failure of healthy neurodevelopment (autism spectrum & neurodiversity)
4. Suppressed emotions (which often cause physical illness or come out “sideways”)
5. Cognitive distortions (lies we come to believe)
6. Mind-body disconnection (bodily rejection and self-harm)
7. Epigenetic changes and chromosome telomere damage (early aging)
That trauma survivors will take large strides on their healing journey and leave with renewed hope for flourishing where they struggle.
And that those in the helping professions (including clergy, clinicians, therapists, and educators) will acquire new skills in a trauma-informed approach that integrates proven biblical, faith-based practices.
Realistically, since none of us has arrived, I believe everyone will benefit. All faiths, helping professionals, all ages from teens up are welcome. We have breakouts on Saturday afternoon on a wide range of healing interventions and practises.
Spiritual disciplines such as forgiveness, solitude, sabbath and meditation, all have a good evidence base of being beneficial for healing. Jesus Himself, quoting His personal mission statement from Isaiah 61 said, “He has sent ME to heal the brokenhearted.”
In fact, any approach that does not include the spiritual dimension is likely to be incomplete. Regardless of our religious beliefs, whether a skeptic or atheist, we ALL do believe in something. Those beliefs can either be a helpful or a harmful resource. Healing interventions must address toxic cognitive distortions, such as a perception of God’s character, or one’s own sense of value or worth.
Yes, any intervention can be unsafe or abusive. Safety and professionalism are necessary by all caregivers. And that is why faith-based organizations need the kind of training offered in the conference.
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