Center For Healing Childhood Trauma

Psychological studies of thousands of traumatized individuals suggests that trauma survivors are less likely to see God as benevolent (Kosarkova et al., 2020). Additionally, research suggests that trauma profoundly impacts attachment not only with other people but also with God (Granqvist, 2020; Nortier Hollman & Marmarosh, 2023). Attendees will become familiar with the psychological constructs of both positive and negative religious coping as well as the potential advantages of cultivating positive religious coping as an adaptive form of coping. In this seminar, the unique phenomenon of Psalms of Lament in general (and Psalm 22 in particular) will be explored with emphasis on the role of lament in biblical texts. Students will learn the basic structure and movement of a lament psalm and will be invited to explore these themes in professional and personal ways. Various forms of positive religious coping will be reviewed as well as empirical support for tailoring these disciplines for individuals who value spirituality/religion.