American Bible Society
Trauma Healing
Trauma Healing

Helping Hurting Adults

Interested in helping hurting adults? Read about the various Trauma Healing programs that you can get involved with!


Classic Trauma Healing

What is the Classic Trauma Healing Program?

This is the traditional Trauma Healing program that is designed for adults. The training includes 1) an experiential portion, where participants begin their personal healing journeys and engage with the “Healing the Wounds of Trauma” material for themselves, and 2) a logistics portion, where participants learn how to lead Healing Groups for others.

Who can lead Healing Groups using “Healing the Wounds of Trauma?”

Adults who are willing to explore their own heart wounds, and help others do the same by leading Healing Groups. If you would like to start a Trauma Healing ministry using this program, please visit the Upcoming Events page and register for an upcoming Healing Group and Facilitator Training.


Generational Trauma Healing

What is the Generational Trauma Healing Program?

“Healing the Wounds of Generational Trauma: The Black and White American Experience,” is American Bible Society's material for Black and White church audiences. It is designed for adults and focuses on addressing the generational trauma that has effected Black and White people due to America's history of slavery and it's enduring effects.

Who can lead Healing Groups using “Healing the Wounds of Generational Trauma?“

Adults who are willing to identify pains they have individually and collectively experienced as a result of generational trauma, participate in safe, honest dialogue with Black and White people, work towards mutual understanding and empathy, and help others do the same by leading Generational Trauma Healing Groups. If you would like to start a Trauma Healing ministry using this program, please visit the Upcoming Events page and register for an upcoming Generational Trauma Healing training.


Correctional Trauma Healing

What is the Correctional Trauma Healing Program?

The Correctional Trauma Healing program, called “Healing the Wounded Heart,” is a contextualization of the Classic Trauma Healing program, designed for use in high security detention facilities with highly traumatized participants. This material contains a set of practical lessons that leads incarcerated people and those transitioning back to their communities on a journey of healing. As they release their pain, they are often able to forgive and sometimes can be reconciled with those who have inflicted the pain. They are freed to care for themselves and serve others.

Who can lead Healing Groups using “Healing the Wounded Heart?”

Adults who are willing to explore their own heart wounds, and help others do the same. Ideally, this material is used by those who have experience in correctional ministry. If you would like to start a Trauma Healing ministry using this program please visit the Upcoming Events page and register for an upcoming Correctional Trauma Healing training.

How did the Correctional Trauma Healing Program start?

In 2017, American Bible Society partnered with Good News Jail and Prison Ministry to train chaplains and volunteers around the country in correctional Trauma Healing, using “Healing the Wounded Heart.”

As of 2020, 250 chaplains and volunteers associated with Good News Jail and Prison Ministry, and Institute for Prison Ministry at Wheaton College, have received the training and are certified to lead Correctional Trauma Healing in jails, prisons, and re-entry centers. These chaplains and volunteers have delivered the program to over 2,600 inmates and previously incarcerated people in 29 states. The program is positioned to significantly expand in the U.S. as more correctional ministry organizations adopt the model.