Understanding Shame Based Identities, Part I

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Care for the Cure

June 14, 2021  8:00 AM MDT
90 minutes
CEU’s available

Description:  This seminar will explore the topic of Shame. Any behavior that is motivated by an inner sense of “not measuring up” is in fact a barrier to healthy relationships.  Shame impacts self-image and creates feelings of defectiveness and worthlessness.

Research shows that certain styles common in dysfunctional families can create an environment where secrets thrive and fosters incest and abuse. This is because of the shame base which their environment promotes and reinforces.

Understanding shame is fundamental to understanding abuse. These dynamics can be found in many institutional settings: schools, nursing homes, mental hospitals and church structures.

This seminar will help you identify Trauma Bonds that exist in relationships as pervasive patterns that include trauma repetition, avoidance, trauma pleasure, shame, reactivity, trauma splitting and abstinence.

We will highlight the basic indicators of shame based relational styles, fears, acting out, perfectionism and addictions. Learning how to identify unresolved feelings can free us from anxiety, frustration and a sense of helplessness to restore hope and the ability to dream.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand how attachments can occur in the presence of danger, shame and exploitation and the role of seduction, deception or betrayal being intertwined with danger, risk and fear.
  2. Define the “Stockholm Syndrome” as a form of traumatic bonding.
  3. Explain how traumatic shame can lead to exploitation.
  4. Describe the difference between guilt and shame.
  5. Outline the communication problems inherent in a dysfunctional family or organizational system.
  6. Learn to recognize feelings, dreams and childhood longings as important and deserving of attention and respect.

Understanding Shame Based Identities, Part II

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Care for the Cure

June 14, 2021  10:00 AM MDT
90 minutes
CEU’s available

Description:  This workshop will give you the opportunity to score your own Traumatic Stress Index which may indicate past traumatic experiences resulting in trauma bonds.

Building upon the information learned in Shame Based Identities Part I – this seminar will teach clinicians how to administer The Trauma Bond Questionnaire and outline therapeutic strategies that you can employ for each area of concern.

Clinical examples will be given for each category of how recognition of pervasive lifetime patterns can help expedite recovery and addiction by awareness and conscious choices that can be made regarding your response when triggers arise.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand how attachments can occur in the presence of danger, shame and exploitation and the role of seduction, deception or betrayal being intertwined with danger, risk and fear.
  2. Define the “Stockholm Syndrome” as a form of traumatic bonding.
  3. Explain how traumatic shame can lead to exploitation.
  4. Describe the difference between guilt and shame.
  5. Outline the communication problems inherent in a dysfunctional family or organizational system.
  6. Learn to recognize feelings, dreams and childhood longings as important and deserving of attention and respect.

The Role of a Priest or Pastor

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June 14, 2021  2:00 PM MDT
120 minutes

Description:  The goal of any psycho-spiritual healing process is not just restoration of the former self to a state of peace and hope, but to realize spiritual integration and wholeness which results in a life of holiness.

In effect, precisely because of their wounds, the individual may realize an intimacy and trust in God as they enter a process for healing and conversion.  With proper boundaries and some foreknowledge, the clergy will serve as a vital front line person representing Christ that can safely guide the wounded soul to opportunities for spiritual, psychological and emotional healing.

This class will examine the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a vital component in the healing process. However, we will also consider the dynamics of how confession itself can become a ritual for grieving and “revisiting the grave” in order to re-experience shame, grief and guilt as a connector to the aborted child.

We will explore why individuals might use the sacrament in order to memorialize their aborted children. In many cases, confession alone may not be enough to detoxify the festering wound of traumatic grief. If this is the only intervention, it can frequently lead to a pattern of repeat confession, where an individual may confess their abortions hundreds of times.  The importance of traumatic grief work is highlighted in order to embrace the fullness of the sacrament.

In addition, we will explore the value of clergy connecting the post-abortive person to a larger support system after the initial one-on-one session.

We will use case studies and examples to outline important safety measures to avoid transference and counter-transference reactions that could sabotage recovery. We will also explore how women with histories of sexual abuse are particularly vulnerable to dependency upon the priest.

Another dynamic is the tendency of some traumatized women to confuse the affection and gratitude she feels in a helping relationship with sexual intimacy.

This seminar will offer practical tips on how to set healthy boundaries at the start of any ministry relationship and the necessity of making sure the pastor’s own needs for connection and intimacy are being met.

And finally, we will explore how post-abortion ministry touches clergy; as men, as spiritual fathers, and as priests.

 

The Art of Retreat Facilitation

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June 14, 2021  12:00 PM MDT
60 minutes
Please note: this session is available for Rachel’s Vineyard Team Members only

Description:  The root of the word facilitation is ʻfacilʼ, or ʻeasyʼ, so facilitation means ʻto make it easyʼ. The role of the facilitator in Rachelʼs Vineyard is to facilitate the work of the Holy Spirit.

How does one ʻmake easyʼ the work of the Holy Spirit? How does one co-facilitate with the Holy Spirit?

This two-part workshop will explore the unique role of the retreat facilitator, as well as the skills, tools, and considerations essential to facilitating the retreat process.

The second part of the workshop will be a practicum where participants will apply these skills and tools through role-playing various retreat scenarios.

Some of the topics covered will include self facilitation, nurturing the environment, managing group process and group dynamics, discussion techniques, reading a group, intervention tips and strategies, and team facilitation.