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PASTORAL CARE

Evan Marbury, D.Min., M.Div., M.A., LCMHC UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA AND RESILIENCE: A Christian Counselor’s Perspective i In recent years, the language of trauma has become increasingly common. We hear about trauma-informed care, adverse childhood experiences, nervous system reg ulation, and resilience-building interventions. Yet many Christian counselors still wrestle with important ques tions: How should we understand trauma through a bibli cal lens? What role does faith play in the healing process? How can we care for trauma-affected people in ways that are both clinically informed and spiritually faithful? These questions are not theoretical. They emerge every day in counseling offices. Clients arrive carrying stories that are often invisible to the outside world. Some bear the wounds of childhood abuse or neglect. Others carry the scars of domestic vio lence, racial trauma, spiritual abuse, betrayal, chronic ill ness, grief, military combat, or profound loss. Many have learned to function remarkably well despite immense suffering. They may be successful professionally, active in church, and deeply committed to their faith while simul taneously struggling with anxiety, shame, emotional dys regulation, relational difficulties, or a persistent sense of not being safe.

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