Trauma has an immense impact on our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. It can leave us feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, scared, and even hopeless. In fact, statistics show that 70% of adults in the U.S experience at least one traumatic incident in their life. Fortunately, there is hope for recovery through Christian-based trauma counseling.
Christian Trauma Counseling looks at the whole person—body, mind and spirit—to provide integrated care that allows each individual to heal from their experiences in a holistic way. Through this holistic approach, individuals can learn how to cope with their difficult emotions while relying on God’s strength and power to move forward in their healing journey. So, if you are looking to journey towards a Christ-centered healing, join us on this blog as we explore Christian trauma counseling and the many resources available for those seeking help.
What Is Christian Trauma Counseling?
Christian Trauma Counseling is a specialized type of counseling that integrates the Bible with trauma-informed care principles to provide healing and restoration for people who have experienced traumatic events. It seeks to use the power of God’s word as a source of comfort and strength in helping people move through their pain. The counselor will work with you to:
Identify the areas of your life that need healing, and how the trauma experience has impacted your life.
Understand how God's word speaks to trauma, and how you can utilize it as a source of healing.
Show you how to incorporate healing practices into your daily life so you can begin to release your pain, strengthen your faith, and no longer allow the traumatic experiences from your past to hold you captive.
Research shows that about 80% of older adults prefer to include religion during treatment for depression, and anxiety that may be caused by trauma.
Benefits of Christian Trauma Counseling
The healing power of Christian faith can be a source of comfort and strength during difficult times. Here are some of the benefits of using Christian trauma counseling:
A Safe Space for Spiritual Exploration
One of the primary benefits of Christian trauma counseling is having access to a safe space where one can explore their faith without fear or judgment. In this space, counselors provide deep listening and understanding as clients work through the emotions associated with traumatic events while engaging with spiritual practices that bring comfort and guidance. Through this process, they can gain insight about how their spiritual beliefs are impacting their mental health or behaviors. For example, if someone is experiencing guilt or shame due to past events, the counselor may help them reframe these feelings through a Biblical lens.
Guidance through Scriptures
Christian trauma counselors are equipped to provide guidance and direction that is rooted in the Bible. They can share scriptures that relate to the client’s struggles, helping them gain a new perspective on their life and its challenges. The counselor may also use scripture meditation techniques to help clients internalize God's truths.
It Offers Support from a Spiritual Perspective
Unlike traditional counseling, Christian trauma counseling provides an avenue for spiritual support while engaging in trauma informed care interventions. Clients can work through issues from both psychological and spiritual points of view, as they process through difficult events.
It Helps Clients Deepen Their Connection to God
Through this type of counseling, clients learn to rely on God for strength and healing. They are able to use prayer and meditation as tools for self-care, so that they can feel God's presence during times of distress or difficulty. Additionally, they can learn how to apply spiritual principles to their everyday life and routines.
Christian Counselors Offer Trauma-Sensitive Support
Christian counselors who specialize in trauma informed care understand the complexity of trauma and have specialized training in assisting clients through traumatic experiences. They use a faith-based approach while providing evidence-based interventions to help clients process their emotions and move forward with healing. Furthermore, they are experienced in helping clients identify the circumstances that could lead to emotional distress or flashbacks so that they can take steps toward managing these situations more effectively.
Steps To Take Towards Christ-Centered Healing for Trauma Survivors
Learn to Express your Emotions
The key to effective healing from trauma is to first be able to identify and express the emotions that arise in response to traumatic events. It’s important for survivors to find a safe place, both physically and emotionally, so they can share their feelings with an understanding listener. Even though expressing our pain can feel overwhelming at times. It’s one of the most essential steps in moving forward and finding peace.
Seek Biblical Wisdom
After taking the first step of expressing your emotions, seek the help God provides through his Word. Reading and meditating on scriptures that speak to our suffering can bring peace and comfort in a time of great distress. As the bible tells us in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Turn to Prayer and Worship
It’s important for trauma survivors to give their worries, anxieties, fears—and even anger—over to God. Acknowledge that you can’t do it alone and turn your wounds over to our heavenly Father. As a part of this step, consider attending church services or participating in other religious activities like prayer groups or bible study. These activities can be helpful ways to stay connected with your faith while healing from trauma. The Bible encourages us in James 5:13-16 saying we should pray when facing any kind of suffering; "Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise."
Seeking Professional Help From A Christian Counselor
For those who have experienced severe trauma, seeking professional help from a Christian counselor who specializes in trauma informed care could lead to lasting transformation and restoration. Christian counselors have the ability to provide effective care from a faith-based perspective. They can help survivors to process their experiences within the context of their beliefs, and incorporate appropriate scriptures for comfort and hope.
Luckily, at Faith on the Journey we offer faith-based counseling services for individuals who are healing from trauma. Our team of counselors will walk alongside you to provide care and support that is rooted in Christian faith. We believe that, through prayerful guidance, Biblical principles, and trauma-informed care, healing from trauma is possible.
Connect with one of our Christian counselors today by visiting faithonthejourney.org/counselors
Discover the profound advantages of Christian counseling by tuning in to our captivating YouTube video. Immerse yourself in this enlightening and empowering presentation, delving into the transformative role of faith in navigating challenging seasons. Gain invaluable insights into coping mechanisms, including the power of prayer and nurturing support networks.
About Author
Terry Mungai is an accomplished administrator and emerging author with a passion for writing in various fields. She graduated from Moi University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and has been working in administrative roles for several years. Terry has two years of writing experience and is enthusiastic about producing engaging content that informs, educates, and entertains readers. She is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya, where she spends her free time exploring new writing projects and perfecting her craft.