Trauma can be an experience that was hurtful physically and/or emotionally, or the intentional or unintentional neglect of providing legitimate childhood needs by parents or caregivers.
Either one may leave a psychic wound which unhealed can create havoc in physical and mental health, in spiritual growth, and in relationships throughout adulthood. Autism and ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder) in childhood and adolescence, or PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) and chronic pain of fibromyalgia in adults, are all known have probable links to trauma. Similarly, anxiety and panic attacks, or lingering depression, may have triggers or roots related to unhealed trauma.
Real life results may include difficulty keeping jobs and financial struggles, relational struggles in romantic relationships or with parents, addictions, identity confusion, or criminality. And knowing that these patterns become transgenerational, similar patterns are likely to be become apparent in your own kids and grandchildren.
As one of the organizers of the Healing Trauma Conference, we at IHTC believe there is hope and healing for the lingering effects of trauma. We base this on the latest medical science of neuroplasticity (the brain can rewire throughout adulthood) and the remarkable testimonials of veterans and first responders where faith-based interventions were part of their healing. This is where the work of Dr. Mike Hutchings, our keynote conference speaker, has made remarkable inroads in the healing of trauma and PTSD. You can read about his work on-line here or read his book, Supernatural Freedom from the Captivity of Trauma.
Several physicians and scientists have now accumulated and published evidence supporting the long-held spiritual beliefs of a realm beyond the visible natural realm. Specifically, this is research of near-death experiences (NDEs) with otherwise unexplainable out of-body experiences, and terminal lucidity (where someone with very advanced terminal dementia suddenly becomes lucid with memory, recognition of relatives, and appropriate speech). Dr. Bruce Greyson in After and Dr. Alexander Batthyány in Threshold conclude, “both of us strongly doubted that it would ever be possible to explain consciousness in purely material terms.”[1] In other words, consciousness can exist separate from the brain and body (now also called “post-mortem survival”). In the biblical worldview, this is the human “soul,” translated from the Greek psyche in the New Testament.
Given this evidence, as well as additional research evidence presented in Beyond Physicalism, an approach to healing that integrates faith and spirituality is valid. In fact, not only is it valid, when faith and spirituality are not integrated into treatment, it is probable to be suboptimal with less excellent outcomes.
First, let’s briefly review how unhealed trauma affects us as adolescents or adults.
How does unhealed trauma affect adolescent or adult health?
Published research has now shown unequivocally that prenatal, childhood and adult trauma, with resulting inevitable chronic stress, affects later mental and physical health. The evidence was first published in a now famous study by Dr. Vincent Felitti and his colleagues in a paper entitled Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults. It is now simply called the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study.
Since the ACE study was published, with the work by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, we have learned a great deal about the pathways that unhealed trauma leads to later illness and early death. Here are at least seven that we now understand:
- Fragmented memory processing – memories are not laid down in a sequential narrative fashion with the resulting flashbacks and triggers of PTSD.
- Increased vigilance of the amygdala and limbic system – this results in increased fear and anxiety, chronic pain, and increased sensitivity to the environment and other people. In the long-term it also leads to increased stress hormone levels (especially cortisol), which in turn leads to metabolic disorders and systemic chronic inflammation.
- Failure of normal neurodevelopment – the infant and childhood brain develops on a “use it” or “prune it” basis. Without appropriate loving stimulation, the brain gets mis-wired with major non-functioning neural pathways.
- Suppressed emotions – particularly sadness and anger, leading to the “freeze” of emotional shutdown and relational isolation.
- Cognitive distortions – lies trauma survivors learn to believe about themselves, their identity, others, and God.
- Mind-body disconnection – many trauma sufferers reject their own body and mistreat it by poor self-care or even self-harm.
- Epigenetic changes and chromosome telomere damage – epigenetic changes are now known to turn genes on or off, and telomere damages cause premature aging.
Why there is hope for healing
With the newest knowledge of neuroplasticity, the proven benefits of multifaceted holistic interventions and lifestyle changes, and the supernatural power of God’s Holy Spirit, these pathways are reversable.
Our Healing Trauma Conference will help address all these dysfunctions. Dr. Mike’s approach has been effective in working with US veterans. Brain rewiring and renewed pathways can have incredibly rapid relief of chronic neural pathway pain. Rewiring of mis-wired parts of the brain with renewed lifestyle habits, for which we have imaging evidence, happens. The lies we have learned to believe about ourselves, others, or God, can be replaced with truth. Epigenetic changes and telomere damage are reversible. Faith-based prayer is powerful.
The weekend will be multisensorial with testimonials, lively uplifting worship music, movement, art, instruction, and application. And fun and fellowship.
Come expecting. Let your faith arise. Take everything else off your plate for the weekend. Make it a retreat. We have blocks of local hotel rooms reserved. Our volunteers will ensure a peaceful milieu for all our guests and presenters.
Our conference theme verse is:
So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us.
Heb 12:1 (TPT)
Be blessed and we hope to see you September 27 to 29 in Summerside, PEI.
Dr. Hendrik Visser
[1] Batthyány, Alexander. Threshold (p. 194). St. Martin’s Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
