Trauma-Care

Audience: Coaches, counselors, pastors, and lay leaders seeking to deepen their understanding and skills in trauma-informed care within a Christian context.

Overview: Join us for an impactful and hands-on experience designed to increase awareness and skills for walking alongside individuals impacted by trauma. This session will explore both unhealthy and healthy ways of responding to those in need, using a two-stage role-play to highlight and practice a biblically grounded, trauma-informed approach.

Session Flow: The evening will begin in a welcoming, safe space where we will outline the purpose and goals, setting the tone with prayer. Next, participants will engage in two professional-led role plays, each demonstrating a couple seeking help within a church context. In the first, we’ll observe common but unhealthy responses—identifying challenges in tone, body language, and unhelpful patterns like spiritual bypassing. Following a facilitated discussion on the pitfalls of these approaches, the second role play will present a healthier, compassionate, and biblically aligned response.

Participants will then break into groups to practice these approaches, rotating roles to observe, apply, and support one another. In these small groups, members will note how their responses feel, identify non-verbal cues, and discuss areas for growth. Reflection questions will help deepen their awareness and insight.

The evening will close with a panel discussion for group takeaways, worship music for grounding, and a prayer for support.

Learning Objectives:

• Increase awareness of trauma-informed practices.
• Develop and practice biblically grounded skills for supportive responses.
• Identify and avoid common, unhealthy approaches that hinder effective care.

This pre-summit experience aims to equip you with the skills to foster healing relationships that reflect Christ’s love and understanding.