SC 660 - Spirituality Based Trauma Informed Care

Course overview

This CE course explores the intersection of spirituality and trauma-informed care, emphasizing the importance of integrating spiritual perspectives into trauma recovery processes. Students will examine the psychological, emotional, and spiritual impacts of trauma and develop skills to provide compassionate, holistic care that respects individual spiritual beliefs and practices. Spirituality Based Trauma Informed Care offers a comprehensive exploration of trauma from a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating theories and practices rooted in spirituality. Utilizing key texts such as The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, which provides in-depth case studies and an analysis of how trauma impacts the brain and body, and Understanding Spiritual Abuse by Karen Roudkouski, students will learn to identify signs of trauma and spiritual abuse. The course emphasizes developing empathetic communication skills and implementing trauma-informed strategies that respect and honor spiritual diversity, promoting healing and resilience for those impacted by trauma. The course prepares health professionals, counselors, sexual assault advocates, clergy, lay ministry leaders and social workers to create safe, healing spaces for clients impacted by trauma and spiritual harm.