Disaster Spiritual Care Just in Time Training Hurricane Harvey TCRT TRAINING AS OF: 1 SEPTEMBER 2017 1
This is not the ideal training and preparation. Ideal – plenty of time, group discussion, and questions. Reality – little time and primarily lecture. Please save questions in order for us to cover the key essentials.
Agenda Encouragement Through Listening Loss and Grief Traumatic Stress Spiritual Diversity How Can I Serve?
PURPOSE OF TCRT AND DISASTER SPIRITUAL CARE The Texas Crisis Resiliency Team (TCRT) is a result of the compassion and concern of the Christian faith community for survivors of disasters and other traumatic events. The TCRT is a Christian faith based organization motivated by the teachings of Jesus Christ, and provides emotional and spiritual support to trauma survivors of all religious and cultural traditions. The purpose of the TCRT is to encourage emotional and spiritual resiliency among survivors by assisting them to cope with challenges and restore hope.
MEANING OF RESILIENCY “The process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats and even significant sources of stress – such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stress.” American Psychological Association, “Psychological Help Center: The Road to Resilience,” http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx (accessed October 29, 2013).
MEANING OF EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL CARE The National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD) has a very active Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee. Emotional Care Providers – focus on emotional well-being. Normally licensed social workers, counselors, psychologists. Spiritual Care Providers – focus on meaning and faith. Often community faith leaders. Distinction is often blurred. Faith leaders are sometimes social workers and counselors. Social workers, counselors, psychologists are often people of faith interested also in spiritual well-being.
NVOAD POINTS OF CONSENSUS DISASTER SPIRITUAL CARE “Spiritual care providers demonstrate respect for diverse cultural and religious values by recognizing the right of each faith group and individual to hold to their existing values and traditions . . . Disaster response will not be used to further a particular political or religious perspective or cause – response will be carried out according to the need of individuals, families and communities.” National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, “Disaster Spiritual Care Points of Consensus, 2009,” accessed August 15, 2016, http://www.nvoad.org/resource -center/?mdocs-cat=mdocs-cat -62&att=null.
DISASTER SPIRITUAL CARE AS MINISTRY OF SERVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT Direct result of the ministry of the church to the community. Based upon the teachings of Christ • John 13: 1-17 – The towel as a symbol of service • Luke 6:36 and Galatians 6:2 – Christians are to bear one another’s burdens and be compassionate. • 2 Corinthians 13:11 – Encourage one another
VALUE AND LIMITS OF DISASTER SPIRITUAL CARE There are many needs of a disaster survivor – Physical, financial, relationships, health, and spiritual. All must be addressed. Disaster spiritual care is not done alone – all the needs must be addressed. All the needs are important Knowing our role – Spiritual needs are the focus of our assistance. People cannot recover if they are discouraged and have no hope!
Crisis Intervention – not long term counseling or pastoral care. ◦ First Aid is a good analogy. First Aid serves to stabilize the person and those needing additional help go to the hospital. ◦ Disaster Spiritual Care – goal is to help the person emotionally and spiritually thru the immediate situation. Others will provide long term therapy and counseling as needed.
SPIRTIUAL CARE PROVIDER – WHO? Someone who is: • Spiritually Fit and Morally Straight: That is a Boy Scout phrase, but it fits. • Compassionate and Caring Person • Listens well to others • Will respect people with different religious and cultural traditions We do want ministers, chaplains, social workers, counselors BUT you do not need to have those qualifications to be a good Spiritual Care Provider.
Encouragement Through Listening TCRT TRAINING 12
PURPOSE • To better understand the needs of trauma survivors that impact the communication process. • To enhance our listening skills to better assist trauma survivors. • To provide encouragement for the trauma survivor.
To answer before listening – that is folly and shame. -- Proverbs 18:13 The instant people perceive disrespect in a conversation, the interaction is no longer about the original purpose – it is now about defending dignity. -- Kerry Patterson, et. al.
THE NEEDS OF THE TRAUMA SURVIVOR • Communication style with trauma survivors focuses on their needs and not the need to solve a conflict or get a point across. • We are doing crisis intervention and not counseling or therapy. • Spiritual First Aid • The attitude of the Spiritual Care Provider is crucial for good listening. • It is about their needs and not our needs. • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs serves as a model to help understand the trauma survivor.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
AWARENESS OF NEEDS: OBSERVATION • Anticipate the survivors situation – part of planning. • The primary needs and level of conversation will usually focus on physiological and safety needs. • Observe the situation and be aware – this is often a quick assessment. • What is their physical situation? • Are they in a safe environment? • Does someone appear to be in charge? • Are there language or cultural issues? • Observe non-verbal language.
Barriers to Listening • Having a pre-set agenda. • Physical Environment – unable to hear clearly. • Language and cultural differences. • Need to solve problems. • Need to be doing something.
COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES FOR DISASTER SPIRITUAL CARE • Communicate Safety. • Communicate Respect. • Communicate Concern. • Communicate Encouragement.
COMMUNICATE SAFETY • In the immediate aftermath of a trauma, the environment might be difficult to control. There might be little privacy. The conversation might be in a public location. • Control what you can to private maximum privacy and comfort. o Try to find place where people can sit and relax. o When possible find a place where the conversation can be more private. • Clarify guidelines for confidentiality. o Confidential except if there is threat of harm to self or others.
COMMUNICATE RESPECT • Empathy NOT Pity • Validate – not the same as approving. • Don’t Judge • Not agreeing • Not disagreeing • Cautious with humor – OK for them to use. NOT OK FOR CRT MEMBER. • Apologize when needed – if you think you might have offended “I am sorry, I did not mean to offend you.”
ALLOW THEM TO SET AGENDA • What do they need? • Don’t try to solve problems – not the same as sharing information. Sharing needed information is appropriate. • Don’t interrupt – there are some exceptions. • Don’t tell your own stories. • Don’t talk too much – if your are doing most of the talking, then something is wrong.
COMMUNICATE CONCERN The technique utilized by Coaching Style is helpful, because it does not focus on the agenda of the Coach, but on the needs of the one being coached. • Ask open ended question – Who, What, Where, How o Do not force people to talk. o Allow them to share what they want to talk about. • Validate: Communicate that you are hearing them. o Do not repeat (or parrot) the exact words of the trauma survivor. o Build upon what they have said using some of the same words. • Never ask Why questions – it puts people on the defensive.
QUESTIONS THAT INVITE PEOPLE TO SHARE The questions are always based upon what the trauma survivor is wanting to talk about so there are not prescribed questions to ask…just a basic approach. Instead of a Yes/No question such as: “Are your children OK?” Ask: “You mentioned that you concerned about your children, what concerns you the most.” Instead of: “Did you receive any assistance?” Ask: “What have your found to be of assistance?” Instead of: “Is there any other way we can help?” Ask: “What are your greatest needs for assistance?”
COMMUNICATE ENCOURAGEMENT • Share appropriate information based upon their concerns. • If they have had a loss, share about what reactions they might expect. • If they need information on insurance, share where they might find that information. • Good to have a pamphlet describing the grief process … best not to give a lecture. • Encourage to use helpful resources including government, local organizations, and faith. • Do not make promises that you cannot keep. • “If you have any problems, just call me.” INSTEAD “If you have difficulty with this, there are several places where you can turn to for assistance.” Give them where and how to contact those resources.
Disaster Spiritual Care Loss and Grief TCRT TRAINING
Purpose • To identify when a survivor experiences loss and grief. • To understand the dynamics of the grief process. • To identify how to help survivors with their loss.
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