American Bible Society
Trauma Healing
Trauma Healing

Resources

Beyond Disaster

Beyond Disaster is a collection of resources designed to help people who have experienced traumatic events - such as pandemics, illnesses, or natural disasters.

  • Beyond Disaster Training Videos

    This 12-part video series will equip you to serve people in crisis using the booklet Beyond Disaster: A Survivor’s Guide for Spiritual First Aid. If you are a responder or caregiver who provides care to survivors of disasters, these videos offer (1) an overview of the Beyond Disaster material; (2) opportunities to experience some of the material personally; (3) practical tips for using Beyond Disaster with individuals and groups; and (4) tools to take care of yourself and avoid burnout as you help others. Watch the videos here.

  • Beyond Disaster Discussion Guide

    Guidance for using the Beyond Disaster booklet with small groups, which is a recommended way of encountering the material. This 9-page document includes some background, ideas for leading a group, and tips on facilitating discussion on the booklet. No professional training is required. This resource offers additional support to leaders who may feel unprepared to address the effects of trauma. Download the guide here.

    GENERATIONAL TRAUMA HEALING

    Generational Trauma Healing is an adaptation of the Classic Trauma Healing program that addresses the generational trauma that has affected Black and White people due to America's history of slavery and it's enduring effects.

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  • "Unchained" Documentary

    The Trauma Healing Institute presents Unchained, a documentary describing the legacy of generational trauma among African-Americans in the United States. Using a combination of Scripture engagement and mental health best practice, our program, Healing the Wounds of Trauma, equips the local church to respond to the broken and afflicted with a message of hope and healing. Watch the film here.

  • "Unchained" Discussion Guide

    This is a discussion guide created to assist critical reflection and safe conversation as people view the Unchained documentary. This guide can be used for your own personal reflection as you watch the film on your own. The ideal use, however, is to use these together with a friend or a small group of people you know. Download the guide here.

    TEENS

    The Teens Trauma Healing program is an adaptation of the Classic Adult Trauma Healing program, designed for teens ages of 13 and 18.

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  • UNSTUCK: A Teen Guide for Living in Uncertain Times

    UNSTUCK helps teens cope during times of uncertainty, especially after a disaster. The materials are written for teens to go through on their own and at their own pace. Teens will also benefit by working through the resource with experienced adult leaders in small groups over four weeks. Part of the Beyond Disaster suite of resources, this material can be used on its own or paired with material for adults and children. It draws from the Trauma Healing Institute curriculum for teens." Download the guide here.

    CHILDREN

    Children's Trauma Healing is an adaptation of the Classic Adult Trauma Healing program designed for children ages 9-13.

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  • Peace, Be Still: A Family Guide for Living in Crazy Days

    This lesson offers parents a resource to use with children ages 8–12 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This six-part resource will help you help your children to feel safe during this time of uncertainty and change. It offers biblical and practical resources and age-appropriate activities for addressing our feelings and finding ways to express them appropriately. Download the guide here.

    TRAUMA HEALING BASICS

    Trauma Healing Basics are simple, practical tools that anyone can use to learn about and respond to trauma. Developed by the team at Trauma Healing Institute, these free resources combine mental-health best practices with the wisdom of the Bible. This unique approach to healing the pain of trauma has proven safe and effective in our work in over 100 countries in 20 years of ministry.

    We created Trauma Healing Basics to work for anyone — they are “basics” by design, so you don’t need any training or special knowledge to use them. If you are suffering the pain of trauma yourself, these resources can help you find healing. And if you feel called to help others cope with their deepest pain, these resources can help you do that. All Basics resources are free to use, share, and adapt.

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  • 3 Questions to Ask When Someone is Hurting

    Learn how to listen to people who are in pain. A practical tool to help people heal, simply by listening. You can help a friend or loved one share their pain by asking just three simple questions, and listening without offering judgment or solutions. This little tool explains how to do it. Like all Trauma Healing Basics, this resource is free to use, share and adapt. We hope you find it useful! Download the resource here.

  • Safe Listener's Promise

    Six things you can do to be a safe listener to people who are in pain. A simple, practical tool that encourages safe listening. People who are hurting are sometimes afraid to talk about what’s wrong. Making this simple commitment can help people feel safe enough to share their painful experiences. Like all Trauma Healing Basics, this resource is free to use, share and adapt. We hope you find it useful! Download the resource here.

  • Beyond Disaster: A Survivor's Guide

    Find simple ways to begin healing. Practical tools for personal and spiritual recovery after a disaster. If you have survived a disaster, this booklet can help you with practical ways to care for yourself and your loved ones. It also can help you recover emotionally and spiritually from the trauma you experienced. Like all Trauma Healing Basics, this resource is free to use, share and adapt. We hope you find it useful! Download the resource here.

    RESEARCH

    The Trauma Healing ministry has been supported and substantiated by various studies and research projects.

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  • Trauma in America Some experiences in life are so painful they cause deep and lasting suffering. That suffering is what we call trauma. Millions of people in the United States contend with poverty, the effects of disease, and natural disaster. Many suffer in silence from domestic violence, emotional abuse, and the fallout of addiction. Every part of their lives is affected—physical, emotional, relational, spiritual. They long for healing, joy, comfort. But they often don’t know where to turn. First, we need to understand how trauma affects our church communities in the United States. Through a nationwide study with Barna, we’ve uncovered the latest research on trauma you can apply to best shepherd your church. Get the resource here.
  • Find more resources at traumahealingbasics.org.

More research reports will be added as they are published!