Trauma and Grief

In today's world, trauma and traumatic loss are increasingly common. This book surveys the important constructs, concepts, and dynamics of trauma, loss, grief, and growth, offering resources and strategies that ministers and other spiritual caregivers can use as they support and facilitate people in their journey from trauma recovery to grief work to spiritual growth.

The book presents a framework for understanding the interrelationship between trauma recovery work, grief work, and spiritual growth. The author argues that each of these components is essential for a full and complete healing from trauma and traumatic losses and that they work together in the ongoing process of healing.

Traumas and traumatic losses are times of ""crisis"" in the sense that they are turning points in people's lives; people can either grow through the experience or decline under the weight of their unbearable sorrow and anxiety. How people handle traumas and significant losses may be the most important variable in their psychological, relational, and spiritual health. The author gives special attention to describing ways in which God might draw close to the traumatized and bereaved in their process of recovery and healing.

""R. Scott Sullender offers practitioners and students of pastoral care and counseling that most valuable of resources: an accessible survey of the best current research on the interrelationship between trauma, loss and grief, their often complicated intertwining, potential recovery trajectories and strategies, and numerous suggestions on how pastoral care providers can respond helpfully.""
--Elizabeth Liebert, San Francisco Theological Seminary

""Sullender distills an amazing breadth of knowledge about trauma, grief, and spirituality in this accessible, well-organized textbook. His pastoral voice guides readers on a journey through the suffering of trauma and grief toward recovery and hope. Sullender's headings serve as signposts, providing a roadmap that readers will return to, over and over again, when they offer pastoral care to those overwhelmed by trauma and grief. Trauma and Grief ought to be on every minister's bookshelf.""
--Carrie Doehring, Iliff School of Theology, Denver

""Trauma and Grief is an eminently readable book with abundant insights, generously sprinkled with engaging stories. It will certainly be a valued resource for ministers and other caregivers as they accompany people through grief and trauma. This book may also be a trustworthy companion for anyone on the journey from trauma--through grief work--to spiritual growth and a renewed understanding of God's compassionate presence.""
--Herbert Anderson, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago

""Trauma and Grief is a must-read for all pastors, seminarians, therapists, counselors, and the grieving. This book is full of healing wisdom and knowledge. It offers hope for psycho-somatic and spiritual wholeness and growth beyond the mourning, shame, guilt, helplessness, and hopele...