Inge Detweiler, M.Div., M.Ed, CEAP

Transcription

1 Trauma Informed Faith Communities Inge Detweiler, M.Div., M.Ed, CEAP

2 Where it began for me

3 The Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Study Took place over 10 years involving 17,000 people Examined the effect of adverse childhood experiences (trauma) over the lifespan The largest study ever conducted on this subject

4 ACE Study Findings 1 in 6 men have experienced emotional trauma 80% of people in psychiatric hospitals have experienced physical or sexual abuse 66% of people in substance abuse treatment reports childhood abuse or neglect 90% of women with alcoholism were sexually abused or suffered severe violence from parents

5 ACE Study Findings 67% of all suicide attempts 64% of adult suicide attempts 80% of child/adolescent suicide attempts Are attributable to Childhood Adverse Experiences Women are 3 times more as likely as men to attempt suicide over the lifespan.

6 Defining Trauma Take a minute and write down how you would define trauma right now. Then think about if someone came to you and asked you to explain what trauma means, how would you do it?

7 Some things to consider when defining trauma Definitions of trauma vary widely Trauma means different things to different people Trauma is a noun; it refers to an actual experience The word trauma is derived from the Greek word that literally means wound Clinicians tend to define trauma in terms of it s effects, not the actual experience Some believe that trauma perpetrated by humans (assault, emotional abuse) is worse than trauma caused by nature (earthquakes, floods) Others argue that the impact of trauma depends on the individual s situation, constitution and overall coping system to deal with the trauma

8 Large T Trauma (Shapiro) Events that most people would experience as horrific or life-threatening Examples include; assault, rape, military combat, or natural disasters Large T trauma is commensurate with what is called Criterion A trauma in the DSM-5 description of PTSD and is defined as; exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence

9 Small t Trauma Not all trauma needs to meet Criterion A to be clinically significant Small t trauma encompasses a variety of experiences including; verbal abuse, bullying, divorce, a medial crisis, losing a pet among many others If an individual is unable to make sense of a small t traumatic experiences or series of experiences, it can cause just as much psychological damage as a large T trauma

10 The Neurobiology of Trauma

11 Left Hemisphere

12 What is wrong with you? Versus What happened to you?

13 Precipitating Factors The internal and/or external factors of which we have little to no control over that cause reactive behavior One example of a precipitating factor is trauma But there are many other examples of things in our day to day lives that become a precipitating factor in our inability to not be reactive

14 Religion and Trauma Religion: an organized faith tradition with accepted theology, practices, and structure Approximately 87% of people in the United States define themselves as religious Approximately 57% of people in the United States regularly attend a worship service (Pew Foundation) Americans are far more likely to turn to religious leaders than to behavioral health professionals for help in times of trouble (Blanch, 2007)

15 Religion and Trauma Many individuals who have trauma and/or psychiatric histories have written extensively about the beneficial impact of religious practices, and some see healing as a spiritual journey Making meaning of what happened is a key aspect of recovery for many people It is important; however, to also recognize that individuals who enter your respective faith communities may have been traumatized by another faith community, by clergy or lay leaders, or by religious practices Surrender to God or a higher power can easily become submission to authority, forgiveness can be used to excuse abuse, and suffering itself can be justified as spiritually desirable

16 The Neurobiology of Trauma: Treatment Using cognitive strategies such as traditional talk therapy that target the frontal lobes are often not effective and can re-traumatize Until it is addressed at the limbic level, the trauma will likely remain a problem Stabilization needs to occur first followed by working through the trauma and concluding with reintegration/reconnecting with society Stabilization involves acquiring coping strategies and the ability to regulate affect Working through the trauma involves trauma processing and finally, reintegration involves learning to live life beyond the trauma

17 What We Are Already Doing: Parallels Between Somatosensory Interventions and The Experience of the Sacred

18 Somatosensory Interventions Journaling/Letter Writing Meditation/Breath Work Music/Drumming Guided Visualization Healing Practices Narrative Therapy Mindfulness Experiences of the Sacred Prayer Meditation/Contemplation Sacred Music Audio/Visual Sacramental Celebrations Oral Traditions Retreats

19 Trauma Informed Care Defined Realizing how trauma affects people Recognizing the signs Responding by changing practices; and Resisting re-traumatization by addressing trauma and toxic stress in the lives of both staff and the people being served (SAMHSA)

20 Trauma Informed Congregations Acknowledge the vast scope if adverse experiences that people have had or are currently exposed to Recognize the impact that adverse experiences have on individuals and groups Practice a perspective shift moving from not being trauma informed to being trauma informed Practice self-regulation Actively build and sustain relationships Has senses of purpose Practice on-going self-care

21 Trauma Informed Ministries Seek to understand the impact trauma may have on a person s relationships with other people and their understanding of God Use a basic understanding of trauma and reflects upon its implications for the various aspects of ministry such as; preaching, study of religious texts, prayer, religious rituals and spiritual practices Seek to collaborate with other community members who can provide additional resources

22 Trauma Informed Ministries Relay the message that there is no shame in getting help; rather, it is a sign of strength Understand how vulnerable people who have been traumatized are, and that their sense of safety can be triggered by any number of things Bring to bear upon those suffering the wisdom, insights and resources of religious faith and tradition and utilizes these attributes for the sufferer s benefit

23 Your Faith Community List three things your faith community does that is trauma informed List three things your faith community could do to become more trauma informed

24 References and Resources Shapiro, R. The Trauma Treatment Handbook: Protocols Across the Spectrum. New York, NY: Broadway Books; Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. U.S. Religious Landscape Survey: Summary of Key findings. Blanch, A. (2007). Integrating religion and spirituality in mental health: The promise and the challenge. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 30 (4), MacLean, Paul D. The Triune Brain in Evolution: Role in Paleocerebral Functions. Springer; Potter, C., Bupp, S. The Dark Thought Project: The Neurobiology of Suicide. Tucson, Arizona; Hidden Paradox,