Trauma: a Christian perspective on care

'Binding up the brokenhearted': Understanding trauma biblically and psychologically will help churches care for those impacted by trauma.

An event from The Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute


Professional Development Day on Trauma

This day is for:

  • Pastors and those working in churches who are keen to learn about trauma

  • Mental health professionals keen to grow in their biblical understanding of trauma

  • Other believers caring for those who have experienced trauma

This seminar will help participants better understand trauma and the significant role the church can play in caring for and supporting those with lived-experience of trauma.

The day will include speaker input, the opportunity to engage with the material in small group discussion, and time for questions and answers.

This workshop will be in person but also available online via Zoom for those outside Sydney.

Our Keynote speaker:

Dr Gladys Mwiti is a PhD Consulting Clinical Psychologist, Founder and CEO, Oasis Africa Center for Transformational Psychology & Trauma that houses an active psychological clinic and a robust corporate/organisational Employee Wellness Program.

Author of five books, journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Mwiti is an internationally preferred speaker, trainer and professional supervisor. She is a world expert on trauma. She has been part of many International Professional Boards, including being the Immediate past Co-Chair, The Lausanne Congress for World Evangelization Mental Health and Trauma Issue Group. She is the recipient of several international awards in scholarship and leadership in psychology & trauma, she is also one of eight Global Trauma Ambassadors for the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Read more about Dr Mwiti in the following articles:

Turning the church's attention to mental health, Lausanne Movement

Dr Gladys Mwiti touching lives through counselling and psychotherapy, Parents Africa, January 2017

Helping to break mental health care barriers in Kenya, World Health Organisation, October 2022

Our host:

Rev Dr Keith Condie, Co-Director of the Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute will host this Professional Development Day and give the Bible devotion.

Keith has degrees in psychology, theology and history. He has worked in child welfare for the state government as well as serving as an Assistant Minister in two churches in Sydney. For nearly 20 years, he was on the faculty of Moore Theological College as Dean of Students and Lecturer in Ministry and Church History.

Agenda

09:30 - 10:00 – Arrive

Coffee & tea will be available

10:00 - 10:20 – Welcome, Rev Dr Keith Condie

Welcome and short devotion

10:20 - 12:20 – Session 1, Dr Gladys Mwiti

Session 1 will include speaker input, the opportunity to engage with the material in small group discussion, and time for questions and answers.

12:20 - 13:15 – Lunch

Light lunch provided

13:15 - 15:30 – Session 2, Dr Gladys Mwiti

Session 2 will include speaker input, the opportunity to engage with the material in small group discussion, and time for questions and answers.