When Spirituality and Trauma Collide & Healing Deepest Hurts Bundle

No part of us is unaffected by trauma. Our mind, our body, and our spirit – especially our ability to experience God as loving and good – are wounded when we face pain, abuse, and suffering. Yet, as spiritual leaders, we are often unaware of the ways trauma impacts the spiritual life – and how many of our well-intentioned responses can actually be hurtful for someone who has experienced trauma.

Social worker and spiritual director Karen Bartlett has been there many times before. This led her to seminary to study theology and a master’s program to study neuroscience — all to better understand how trauma impacts our view of God.

When Spirituality and Trauma Collide brings together her learnings and breaks them down into a simple field guide that will equip you to respond to trauma in spiritual formation settings without inflicting harm.

Discover:

• How trauma works in the brain and body and how it can impact someone’s view of God
• Attachment style, safety, and the stress response as it relates to the spiritual life
• How to spot signs of dysregulation and discomfort during a session
• Best practices for when to slow down, stop, ask permission, or use different language with someone
• Permission to not always have all the answers and to instead guide someone into an experience with God

Walking alongside others on their spiritual journey is a sacred calling that requires care for the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. This guide will empower you to quickly understand the basics of trauma, so you can help others heal the wounds that keep them from connection with God.

We may be disconnected from our authentic selves because of past hurts and alienation from God. Sometimes the hurt stems from childhood or from trauma in our life or through the actions of people in the church. Social worker and spiritual director Karen Bartlett understands the hurts and gently leads us to the presence of God and to hope.

Healing Deepest Hurts is a heartfelt guide that explores the interplay between faith, neuroscience, attachment patterns, and life experiences. Alongside striking illustrations by her mother, Karen Bartlett extends a guiding hand, inviting you to approach the wounded areas of your life with vulnerability and intentionality.

You will:

• Unearth previously dismissed wounds
• Investigate your core beliefs and examine long held inner narratives
• Find healing and solace through intentional soul archeology and inner work
• Rediscover your unique worth and come back to who you were created to be
• Be invited to encounter the healing presence of God who delights in you

More than a therapeutic book with quick answers, Healing Deepest Hurts: When God Feels Distant and Hope Seems Lost will encourage you to pause and consider life events that have shaped you and where you might find healing. Each chapter examines significant areas to explore within your life. You will find questions after every chapter that will help you to reflect on your unique life experiences, wounds, and thoughts.