Spirituality as a Potential Resource for Coping with Trauma
This presentation will address the potential role of spirituality as a resource for coping with both current and past trauma. Spirituality in this context embraces a variety of religious and cultural traditions. The presentation also discusses ways in which social workers can help client access this resource.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
1. Outline 2-3 ways in which spirituality can represent a potential resource for healing from trauma;
2. Describe 2-3 ways in which they can help clients access this potential resource;
3. Articulate 2-3 strategies for ensuring their work is spiritually and religiously sensitive to the beliefs and values of their clients.
-The nature and multifaceted impact of trauma: how it is experienced physically, emotionally, cognitively, interpersonally, and spiritually (10 minutes)
-What are the resources that spirituality can offer in coping with trauma: sense of meaning, sense of worth and value, sense of being cared for (15 minutes)
- How can we help clients identify and access their resources in the area of spirituality and religion (20 minutes)
-How can we understand our client's view of spirituality and tailor our interventions to be responsive to their unique set of beliefs and values. (20 minutes)
Mary Van Hook is currently Professor, Emeritus of the University of Central Florida School of Social Work. She was a clinical social worker and social work administrator for over twenty years prior to teaching social work various universities. She has published and presented widely in the areas of rural mental health and social services, women's issues both domestically and internationally, family services, and religion and spirituality.
Dr. Van Hook has the AB from Calvin College, MS (Social Work) from Columbia University, and Ph.D. from Rutgers University. She received the Victor E. Howery Award from the National Association for Rural Mental Health and the Distinguished Service to Christianity and Social Work by the North American Association of Christians in Social Work. Dr. Van Hook is a member of the North American Association for Christians in Social Work, the National Association of Social Workers, and the National Rural Mental Health Association. She is a licensed Master of Social Work and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers.