Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling

A first session between earth and sky in Anaphora – Egypt

“Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while…” (Mark 6:31): This was the title of the first session within the Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling program organized by the Middle East Council of Churches’ Theological and Ecumenical Department (TED) at the Anaphora Center in Egypt.

The session that was held between Sunday, February 2 and Saturday, February 8, 2020, gathered ministers, priests and nuns from different churches in Egypt, who work in the apostolic field. They mainly take care of and accompany suffering people who have endured life’s hardships or been subject to terrorist acts resulting in traumatic psychological trauma. The participants came from Damanhour, Marsa Matruh, Al Ismailia, Al Menyah, Shubra and all the neighborhoods of Cairo. 

The program addressed physical, psychological and spiritual levels through diverse activities. These activities included morning sessions focusing on the definition of trauma and its repercussions on individuals and communities, life skills training sessions given by a specialized instructor, and one-on-one sessions with two psychotherapists and spiritual counselors that have contributed to the organization of the program. During the evening, a festive ambiance prevailed as participants got to demonstrate their hidden talents.  

In the preliminary general evaluation, the participants highlighted the importance and incomparable value of those sessions. This has demonstrated an urgent need for further trauma healing initiatives and processes in the Middle Eastern countries torn by wars and tragedies, in order to alleviate the spiritual and psychological pain of victims.