Thankfully, there are specialized trauma centers all across this country [1]. These are equipped to deal on an emergency basis with the most severe of physical injuries.
It is more difficult, however, for parents to find a center equipped to deal with the long-term mental and emotional impacts of trauma on children [2].
A Faith-Based Program
Chaddock Attachment and Trauma Services https://www.chaddock.org/ is one such center. Chaddock offers a Christ-centered program recognized for effective, evidence-based practices.
Many of the children here are older, adopted not as infants, often from other countries. They may have faced terrible trauma before reaching a loving home.
This can relate either to their birth families, their years in foster care, or the conditions of war and displacement they were forced to endure. Such children may, also, have been separated from primary caregivers early in life.
As a result, the children function in survival mode. They have difficulty trusting adults, forming emotional attachments, and regulating their behavior.
“Healing doesn’t just happen in therapy sessions. It happens in the daily experience throughout the day. It doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in relationships.”
–Matt Obert, LCSW
Chaddock strives to help these children and their families, not only through therapy but the healing power of loving relationships. Matt Obert, LCSW, the President and CEO of Chaddock has written about this in a book available on Amazon titled “Beyond Trauma Care”.
Childhood Trauma and the Relationship to God
Childhood trauma can profoundly impact the relationship to God [3]. It frequently gives rise to shame – generating a negative self-image, and disrupting a victim’s belief in God’s love [4].
Christianity extends healing through the recognition of God as a safe Father. Faith serves as the foundation for recovery. This allows victims to re-write their personal narratives; to re-imagine themselves as children of God, precious in His sight, rather than worthless [5].
Seeking Christ After Trauma
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8: 35, 37).
Trauma is, unfortunately, pervasive in this broken world. It takes many forms. Though healing is a process, the experience of trauma can actually be used for growth.
Christ is a Redeemer. He not only cherishes the broken, but can transform them. In the process, He replaces distorted self-beliefs with truth.
As practical suggestions, victims of all ages are encouraged to care for their minds and bodies; to share their struggle and seek support; to do something creative; to celebrate small victories; and to engage regularly with Scripture [6].
Above all, victims should never lose hope.
—
[1] Wikipedia, “List of trauma centers in the United States”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_trauma_centers_in_the_United_States.
[2] Psychiatry Online, “Chapter 10: Finding Help: Helping Families Find Effective Treatment for Children with Psychiatric Illness” by Jasmine Marrero, et al, 10/3/14, https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.books.9781585625475.lg10.
[3] Christopher Freeze, “Does Childhood Trauma Affect Our Relationship with God” by Christopher Freeze, 1/25/21, https://mrchrisfreeze.com/blog-application/does-childhood-trauma-affect-our-relationship-with-god.
[4] Psychiatry Online, “Talking about God with Trauma Survivors” by Colin Ross MD, October 2016, https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2016.70.4.429.
[5] The Other Journal, “God’s Child: A New Imagination in Trauma Healing” by Margaret Trim, Issue 25, https://theotherjournal.com/2015/11/gods-child-a-new-imagination-in-trauma-healing/.
[6] Core Christianity, “How to Seek Christ as You Cope with Trauma” by Julie Knapp, 10/30/23, https://corechristianity.com/resources/articles/how-to-seek-christ-as-you-cope-with-trauma.
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A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More 
It is a wonderful thing that today there are good people and great services available to children whose lives have been shattered. I pray the days of telling these precious children to “get a grip and deal with it” are far behind us.
The key to raising children who become well adjusted adults is two-fold. First, deal with any issues (trauma, learning disabilities, medical etc.) with patience and love, involving professionals when necessary. Second, living out your faith, not by preaching but by example.
Yes, children watch what we do and how we live our lives. That is a far more powerful influence on them than empty platitudes.
It had never occurred to me how trauma can shape a person’s view of God, Anna. That’s not something people talk about very often, but it makes a lot of sense. I also hadn’t heard of Chaddock before, so thanks for putting them on my radar. Hopefully this helps someone who may be looking for exactly this kind of ministry, and the rest of us can follow His example and help them through the consistent and healthy relationships.
Thank you for your kindness, Scott.
Praise God that there are places like Chaddock for those whose identity and relationship to society is shaped by trauma.
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