Trauma,Treatment, and Religion

Abstract

When children and youth are traumatized, caretakers must attend to behavioral, cognitive, physiological, ecological and spiritual/existential aspects of their reactions. This article focuses on the latter facet of traumatization. The Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament offer little about the traumatic symptoms of victims. Using many of the same sources, Fundamentalist Christians, Jews, mainline Christians and secularists may offer children different interpretations of the meaning of trauma events. Understanding these interpretations is crucial for children who develop symptoms which suggest a diagnosis of PTSD. Caretakers, other than mental health professionals, can understand and use various techniques explicated in the TREAT model for treatment of PTSD. Concepts discussed can be used, within a spiritual/existential framework, to support traumatized youngsters.