Trauma Training Program

A partnership between The Welcome Project PA, Lakeside Global Institute, & the PSEC

The Welcome Project PA [WPPA], in partnership with Lakeside Global Institute and the Pennsylvania SE Conference of the United Church of Christ [PSEC], is pleased to offer professional trauma training modules for ministry leaders in their respective contexts, so as to prepare them to better assist their constituents who have suffered trauma. The purpose of this program is to assist professionals in their caring for people who have suffered various forms of trauma, to create an awareness of the causes and consequences of trauma, and how it affects our human relationships and social interactions. Finally, this program strives to enable those who have suffered/continue to suffer from trauma, a path forward to progress and a way out of destructive cycles.

In partnership with the PA SE Conference, Trauma 101 and 102 modules will be offered for ministry leaders, available as a virtual training and in-person when possible.

Clergy and other ministry leaders deal with a variety of stressors in their congregations, like witnessing violence, racism, homophobia and transphobia, unsafe homes or neighborhoods, bullying, and addictions. The trauma that results from these stressors takes a toll on the social, mental, physical, and economic well-being of church members and the community as a whole. These traumas are threatening and harmful and overwhelm people so much that they find it difficult to cope; they can even cause intense reactions of fear, helplessness or loss of control.

Leaders need to be equipped on how they can help build resilient and healthy faith communities, creating trauma-informed congregations that are aware of the impact of trauma, understand ways forward for recovery, recognize what trauma looks like in families and in others, and act by daily practicing trauma awareness.

Recognizing that ministry leaders are engaging in spiritual counseling and pastoral care on a weekly basis with individuals and families who have suffered great trauma, and noting that churches themselves have experienced/do experience collective trauma due to a variety of factors, including the pandemic, racial unrest, political polarization, and LGBT+ discrimination, there is no better time than the present to offer these crucial and relevant trainings.

To register, click here.

TRAUMA 101 – 9:00 – 11:00 am – An Overview of Trauma – Informed Care

Research shows that 67% of the population has experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience. These trauma based adversities are predictive of a multitude of toxic physical, mental and social outcomes throughout a person’s lifetime. As a society and as individuals, we need to be better informed and prepared to prevent and address the traumatic impact of childhood adversities. In this multi-media, interactive workshop, professionals work together to build a powerful image that helps them appreciate the complex nature of trauma and its aftermath.
Topics: Self-Care Plans • TedTalk with Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris What is Trauma? • Principles of Trauma Brain Development • Kinds of Trauma Theory of Everything • Hope • Post-Traumatic Growth Reframe • Continuum of Sophistication

TRAUMA 102 – 12:00—2:00 pm – Basic Skills of Trauma—Informed Care

Building on information provided in Trauma 101, professionals expand their understanding of trauma and are provided specific skills that enhance abilities to interact in emotionally and relationally healthy ways with people impacted by trauma. As professionals become trauma-aware, they have a responsibility to prevent, avoid and respond to trauma. In this hands-on, interactive workshop professionals are provided opportunities to implement and practice the skills presented.
Topics: Review of 101 • Personal Self-Care Plans Dr. Bruce Perry’s Regulate-Relate-Reason HUG (Hear-Understand-Give Back) RESSQ (Reassure-Explain-Share-Solve-Question) Application of HUG and RESSQ • Intentional Breathing