FAQ: How does Faith-based, Scriptural approach integrate into Trauma Counselling?

At Life to the Full, we are deeply committed to holistic Christian flourishing by integrating our professional expertise with a Christian worldview, guiding our clients towards genuine healing, purpose, and hope. Our aim is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your challenges and find renewed purpose.

Here's how we specifically weave faith-based and scriptural approaches into our trauma counselling:

Our Primary Approach to Trauma Counselling

We primarily deliver trauma counselling through our psychological services, led by our clinical psychologists. Our Clinical Director, David Scoffield, for instance, has specialised training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), which is an increasingly effective therapeutic modality for trauma. While spiritual counselling is also available, our preference for trauma cases is to commence within a clinical psychological framework.

Integrating Faith and Scripture into the Healing Process

• Framing Suffering within a Redemptive Story:

We are theologically convinced that our deepest spiritual formation often occurs when life is hard, rather than when it is easy. We encourage clients to lament and grieve their experiences, trusting that God can use even the most difficult experiences to "write a deeper story" in their lives and foster a deeper connection with Him. This perspective helps clients understand that their pain, though real, is not wasted but can be part of a redemptive narrative, leading to hope.

• Addressing Forgiveness and Divine Justice:

Trauma often involves harm caused by others, which naturally leads to profound theological questions about forgiveness. We clarify that forgiveness does not mean condoning harmful actions or re-entering abusive relationships. Instead, it involves acknowledging the transgression and trusting in divine justice, with the belief that God will ultimately "call all actions into account". This understanding allows clients to process their pain without feeling obligated to absolve their traumatizers prematurely.

• Affirming Identity in Christ:

Trauma can leave individuals feeling "less than," "unworthy," or unsafe. The Gospel provides a powerful counter-narrative, asserting that clients are beloved children of God and their worth is not shaken by human experiences or the trauma they have endured. We emphasise that God's heart "goes out to the poor in spirit" and that our wounds do not prohibit us from coming to Him; rather, they can make us "even more qualified" to approach the "great healer".

• Supportive Use of Scripture:

We use scripture in a supportive rather than prescriptive manner. This means we don't apply out-of-context Bible verses unhelpfully. Instead, we help clients tap into biblical "paradigms" and explore their understanding of God's character and their identity in Him. For example, we might ask, "How do you think God feels about you in that moment?" or "What do you know the scriptures say about who you are?". This encourages clients to examine their "functional beliefs" about God versus their "confessional theology" without condemnation.

• Thought Experiments for All Clients:

For clients who may not identify as practising Christians, we utilise "thought experiments" to explore the implications of biblical principles without requiring immediate agreement. For instance, we might ask, "If the Bible's claim that God is a perfectly loving Heavenly Father were true, what difference would that make to your emotional response?". This allows individuals to scrutinise and examine how these principles might offer existential satisfaction and a different framework for understanding their experiences.

• Relying on God's Faithfulness:

We also draw upon the concept of God's past faithfulness as a source of strength for navigating future uncertainties. By reflecting on how God has been present through past ups and downs, clients can trust that His mercies are "new every morning" and His grace is "always sufficient," providing a "counter voice" to anxiety and stress.

Client Journey and Confidentiality

A typical client journey for trauma counselling involves initial sessions where the client "downloads" their experiences to the therapist to help them gain a thorough understanding of the situation. We are upfront that therapy, particularly with EMDR, can be intensely confronting, and individuals often experience a temporary worsening before improvement, akin to "unleashing Pandora's box". We assure clients this is a normal part of the process and a sign that the therapy is working, not that they are doing anything "wrong". Avoiding pain, often through unhealthy coping mechanisms such as addictions, generally leads to greater hurt in the long run; our therapy encourages facing these "past hurts" in a controlled environment with a practitioner.

Our internal triage model ensures that if the primary issue is psychological, we may recommend a referral to a psychologist, always with the client's explicit permission and a signed confidentiality waiver. On average, a trauma client might experience about 10 sessions, often staggered over a year due to Australia's mental healthcare plan system.

Confidentiality is paramount in our work, especially given the sensitive nature of trauma. We use secure, industry-specific information systems, and all Zoom links for telehealth are private, not public, ensuring high levels of privacy and security. We also make it clear that information will not be shared with employers in Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) or others unless there's a legal obligation for mandatory reporting, such as in cases of criminal disclosure or immediate danger to someone.

At Life to the Full, we believe that acknowledging vulnerabilities and seeking professional support is a sign of true strength, and there is no shame in seeking help.

Ready to take this important step?

Contact Life to the Full today to learn more and schedule your sessions.