Counselors have nearly instant access to staggering accounts of human suffering around the world. Moved by compassion, many are willing to travel to remote areas in order to provide therapeutic care for those having experienced wars, rapes, abuse, genocide, natural disasters, and many other forms of traumatic experiences. Good intentions notwithstanding, some efforts to heal trauma harmed more than have helped. Utilizing multimedia presentations, guided readings, forum discussions, live case consultation and skill practice, this continuing education course introduces students to trauma in international settings and provides guide for how Western counselors and caregivers can encourage healing in a culturally sensitive manner.
1. Identify common psychological, spiritual, physiological, and social/relational symptoms of psychosocial trauma on individuals and communities as a result of a variety of traumatic experiences (including combat, domestic and ethnic violence, natural disasters, human trafficking, and sexual violence)
2. Articulate a lived theology of suffering and recovery via Scripture engagement to a traumatized audience
3. Explore the role of culture regarding expressions of emotions, mental health, and religious practices across individualist and collectivist cultures
4. Articulate the general 3 phase recovery process for individuals and communities with special attention to the importance of lament practices
5. Differentiate psychological first aid from recovery and rehabilitation phases of help
6. Define key related concepts: vicarious/secondary trauma, dissociation, memory work, recovery in unsafe environments, and countertransference