Page 208 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 5

Trauma Recovery Training at a Seminary? Introducing Global Trauma Recovery Institute

thereby are less likely to drop out of treatment.
In addition, clients frequently find freedom
from many of their symptoms of psychological
distress.
But even when counselors embrace a biblical
image of rescue and redemption and develop
trauma counseling competencies, it is a challen-
ge to know how to respond in any given session.
There are many pitfalls along the way—distrust
by the client, counselor temptations to control
the storytelling work, mind numbing repeti-
tious nature of lament. These all present dan-
gers to the counselor who desires to walk with
one in suffering. It is important to remember Philip G. Monroe, PsyD is Profes-
that to walk with a client who has experienced a sor of Counseling & Psychology
traumatic event is to become a student of pain, at Biblical Seminary, Hatfield, PA,
suffering, and brokenness; of things as they USA. He directs the MA in Coun-
should not be. It is to share in the sufferings and seling program as well as the Glo-
joy of our savior’s death and resurrection. Be bal Trauma Recovery Institute. He
wary for any other motivation to do the work of maintains a part-time private prac-
trauma recovery treatment. Instead, let us recall tice with Diane Langberg & Asso-
and embody the patience and gentleness of God ciates.
with bruised reeds (Isaiah 42:3) with the con-
fidence that he will exchange beauty for ashes PMonroe@biblical.edu
(Isaiah 61:3) even when what we see now is a
dim reflection of that glory.

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