Beyond Trauma Hope And Healing For Warriors

The presence of PTSD or post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms is widely evident in our veteran community, and many veterans struggle with the effects of war-related trauma. And while symptoms fade over time, many remain like open wounds, evidence of deep and abiding pain.Servicemembers suffering from these symptoms, often manifest additional injuries, what has been described as spiritual or moral injuries. These involve questions about the meaning of trauma, the source of evil, and the reasons for suffering. They include problems with grief, guilt, and shame, and are associated with many forms of loss such as the loss of meaning, hope, and peace.Whether a veteran or servicemember suffers from the effects of PTS or meets the clinical diagnosis of PTSD, many also suffer from spiritual and moral injuries that warrant spiritual interventions and sources for healing.Given the fact that more than 250,000 veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering from the symptoms of PTSD and even more from other effects of war-related trauma including moral and spiritual injuries, pastors, chaplains, and other caregivers have a legitimate, healing role alongside clinicians in addressing the effects of trauma even beyond it's war-related sources.Beyond Trauma: Hope & Healing for Warriors equips spiritual leaders with the knowledge and resources to not only understand the effects of trauma, but also make appropriate interventions that will lead veterans and servicemembers in churches and communities to healing and growth.

It is estimated that well over 250,000 military veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering today from PTSD, and even more from post-traumatic stress or PTS. Clinical interventions alone do not adequately address all the issues associated with PTSD. There is also a profound spiritual dimension to trauma, and it is frequently manifested in post-trauma symptoms such as guilt, grief, and shame; and in various forms of loss including, loss of meaning, loss of faith, and loss of peace. Pastors, chaplains, and Christian counselors have a legitimate, healing role alongside clinicians in addressing the spiritual aspects of trauma through spiritual interventions that are based on Scripture and leverage new ways of viewing trauma and assumptions about its meaning. Beyond Trauma: Hope & Healing for Warriors equips pastors, chaplains and other pastoral caregivers with the knowledge and resources to not only understand the spiritual effects of trauma, but to make appropriate interventions that will lead veterans in their churches and communities to healing and growth.

The guide will take facilitators through a 16-week program that begins by assisting theservice member or veteran in understanding the nature of trauma, particularly the spiritualaspects of trauma and concludes with discussions about resilience and growth. Alongwith this guide, which includes videos and a journal for enrollees, the author has written abook, Beyond Trauma: Hope and Healing for Warriors. The book further explains the conceptsof this program: how cognitive restructuring may be adapted to Scripture and employedin the treatment of individuals suffering from the most negative effects of trauma.

Moral Injury is now recognized as a growing major problem for military men and women. Operant conditioning can overwhelm moral convictions and yet the question of whether “to shoot or not to shoot” often will never have a settled answer. Certain theories and treatment models about MI have been well developed, but too often overlook root issues of religious faith. The authors propose a new model for understanding moral injury and suggest ways to mitigate its virtually inevitable occurrence in pre-combat training, and ways to resolve MI post-trauma with proven spiritual resources. People outside the military, too, among whom the incidence of MI also is a growing threat, will benefit from this analysis. The stories of the injured—their shaping and their telling—are the key, and there are many illumining stories of moral injury and recovery. Those who suffer MI, their families, and caregivers, including counselors, pastors, and faith communities, will find hope-giving first steps toward the healing of MI in this book.

Of course Christians have crisis! As human beings, we are surrounded by temptation, we all make mistakes and we all suffer with trials in our lives. Unfortunately, there are well-intended Christians who attempt to minister to those suffering or in crisis without realizing how their words of wisdom could actually be counterproductive and potentially harmful. This book is a resource for ministry leaders, parents, teachers, and caregivers regarding mental illness, chronic pain, abortion, abuse, and addictions. It also covers marital and family issues. There are facts included throughout the book to reveal the prevalence of each topic and listed resources to increase knowledge in those areas. Scripture is included throughout the book to provide solid Christian counsel through each topic. If someone came up to you today to reveal they are considering suicide or that they are addicted to porn or prescribed drugs, would you know what to say to them? What if someone wants to talk to you because they believe their spouse is having an affair, or a mother believes her child is being molested or bullied, or their adult child is being abused by their spouse? Would you know how to advise them? Are your words subjective? Are they productive? Are your words factual and scriptural? As a church, we need to teach that Christ is a loving and forgiving God. We need to have compassion for the misunderstood. As a church, we need to be knowledgeable of current fads, common problems in societies and families so we know how to respond to crises appropriately. As a church, we need to encourage a safe environment for those in need. We need to minister to people with open minds and open hearts. And we need to know when it is time to reach out for professional help.

This book provides definitions and real-life examples of complex PTSD and complex secondary PTSD (seen in a rapidly rising number of spouses and children), and the problems that arise when untreated. Arsenal of Hope aims to help soldiers, first responders, their families, and civilians with trauma—including those dealing with COVID-19 chaos or death. Jen Satterly is a certified coach and respected authority on PTSD, having been embedded with Special Operations during large scale military training missions and married to a Delta Force Command Sgt. Major. As a cofounder of a nonprofit for warriors and their families to heal after the trauma of war, her stories, research, realistic advice, and sometimes humor, are told through a military lens. Written with award-winning collaborative writer Holly Lorincz, Satterly uses her firsthand knowledge and medical expertise to deal with each issue. Most importantly, she illustrates how to change and create habits to circumvent the symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Moral Injury and Beyond: Understanding Human Anguish and Healing Traumatic Wounds uniquely brings together a prominent collection of international contributors from the fields of psychiatry, psychology, philosophy, theology, military chaplaincy and acute crisis care to address the phenomenon of moral injury. Introduced in the 1990s to refer to a type of psychological trauma, experienced especially by soldiers who felt that their actions transgressed the expected moral norms, this innovative volume provides a timely update that progresses and redefines the field of moral injury. The ten ground-breaking essays expand our understanding of moral injury beyond its original military context, arguing that it can fruitfully be applied to and address predicaments most persons face in their daily lives. Approaching moral injury from different perspectives, the contributors focus on the experiences of combat veterans and other survivors of violent forms of adversity. The chapters address thought-provoking questions and topics, such as how survivors can regain their hope and faith, and how they can, in time, explore ways that will lead them to grow through their suffering. Exploring moral injury with a particular emphasis on spirituality, the early Church Fathers form the framework within which several chapters examine moral injury, articulating a new perspective on this important subject. The insights advanced are not limited to theoretical innovations but also include practical methods of dealing with the effects of moral injury. This pioneering collection will be essential resource for mental health practitioners and trainees working with people suffering from severe trauma. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, it will be useful not only to those academics and professionals engaged with moral injury but will be a source of inspiration for any perceptive student of the complexities and dilemmas of modern life, especially as it interfaces with issues of mental health and spirituality. It will also be invaluable to academics and students of Jungian psychology, theology, philosophy and history interested in war, migration and the impact of extreme forms of adversity.

If you've experienced trauma—whether as a result of common life events like accidents or abusive personal relationships or extraordinary experiences like war or natural disasters—you may find that the pain and emotional unease you feel don't go away over time. In fact, they may get worse. But the trauma you experienced lies in the unchangeable past. Because of your strength and perseverance, you survived, and now the rest of your life stretches before you. How do you want to live it? Finding Life Beyond Trauma is about living life well after a traumatic event. It uses the powerful techniques of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help you take a different approach to painful feelings and chart a new course for a rich and meaningful life. First, you'll learn to accept the pain, sadness, and anxiety that can arise in connection to your trauma. By exploring mindfulness techniques, you'll be able to remain present with painful feelings and stop avoiding the thoughts and situations that bring them up. Instead of focusing on the past, you'll clarify what you want your life to be about right now and in the future. With your values clearly in mind, commit to actions that will express them in your life—guided by the powerful tools you'll find in this book.