7 Lessons for Trauma and Crisis Healing Learned @ Global COP

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA —  April 2, 2016

Global COP

Hello again,

I posted on my Parent and Family Support Facebook Page about this. I learned so much at the Trauma Healing Institute’s (THI) annual event: Global Community of Practice. I was grateful we as students of Global Trauma Recovery Institute (GTRI) were allowed to attend as part of our immersion trauma training.  Our professors Dr. Diane Langberg and Dr. Phil Monroe are leaders in TRI and support its mission:

“The Trauma Healing Institute at American Bible Society is equipping people, churches, and NGOs around the world to care for the more than one in seven people worldwide who suffer severe wounds of the heart and spirit in the aftermath of conflict, disaster or abuse.”

American Bible Society: 7 Lessons from the Global Community of Practice National Reports

These and many more tips I learned from attendees who reported updates and trauma healing testimonies from almost every continent.

National representative shared how they implemented the Healing the Wounds of Trauma: How the Church Can Help (HWT) curriculum for adults and children which has been translated in 173 languages for recovery training workshops in 68 countries for lay and professional caregivers as well as support interventions to aid refugees and others who have suffered trauma from war, immigration, conflict, natural disasters, extreme poverty, violence, domestic abuse, rape and other losses.

  1. It can be done! There are many unsung heroes in the world who work with God to bring drastic or even subtle reform in people’s lives. They may work with groups but its often done helping one hurting person at a time.

  2. Culturally relevant interventions help heal invisible and sometimes secret emotional trauma wounds for survivors and victims… (HWT) is a great example.

  3. To be effective in trauma support: it is critical to listen to their perspective first. Listen. Listen and then listen some more before offering suggestions or opinions.

  4. Many wounds are helped by encouraging and allowing trauma survivors and children in crisis to tell their story and receive compassionate listening and validation. WOW!

  5. Multiplication with God is effective for ministry: The THI organization tries to not only help individuals but also utilize training weeks to equip new support providers who will then work to become facilitators.

  6. Some national reports (including the US)  left you weeping and were difficult to even listen to let alone imagine how the survivors endure. So many in our are suffering horribly in complex situations and we do not have clear answers. We each need to help trauma survivors and victims in any way we can with long-term effort.  

  7. Testimonies were inspiring and reminded us that it is worth persevering to heal trauma wounds. The integration of the Bible and Psychology is effective medicine.

     

It was a room full of heroes as far as I am concerned. Many pictures I still cannot share.  It was a blessing to hear God’s work through Healing the Wounds of Trauma curriculum which has been adopted in numerous cultures and languages around the globe.

Hearing worship in various languages at the same time was perhaps the most delicious part of the event. I cannot express in words how fabulous it was. I saw some friends wiping their eyes afterwards too so I get the impression I was not the only one touched.

Now, I am wondering how HWT has been used to help trauma and crisis victims and survivors who are Children and Youth in the US? Mmmmm….

If you know PLEASE share your wealth of knowledge =) You can use the comments or the contact form below for my inbox.

 

Blessings to you today,

Heloise

 

 

Heloise "Lois" Ridley, MBA, MA

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Heloise (Lois) Ridley, MBA,MA is a therapist specializing in Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and trauma healing. She counsels children, youth and their families for outpatient, homes and schools. Heloise trains to service providers and caregivers to equip them in TIC and numerous counseling issues such as suicide and self-harm prevention, anxiety, depression and grief. At-risk traumatized youth is her area of specialization. She loves to encourage, instruct and empower caregivers, service providers and youth to live and impact the world around them. She begins this effort with her own family with hubby and six plus a few children who are beginning to "fly" with their eagle wings.