Post-Traumatic Growth and the Role of Spiritual First Aid

The annual CRCNA Chaplains Training took place virtually this year from September 24 to 26, 2020. The theme of the training was “Come to Me: Sufficient Grace, Perfect Power, and Humanity.” 

The video below is a recording of the session co-led by Alida van Dijk, PhD, RP and Reverend Chaplain, Major Joseph Kamphuis. Learn more about the speakers and the topic of the session below. 

Session Information: In this session, we will explore the definition of trauma, its connection to faith, and different methods of facilitating post-traumatic growth. It will also include time to interact with these ideas in breakout groups. We will also offer the hope-filled response that by God’s grace trauma can lead to growth and greater strength. In addition, we will demonstrate how Spiritual First Aid can play a role in facilitating growth following trauma. Alida van Dijk, PhD, RP and Reverend Chaplain, Major Joseph Kamphuis will co-lead this in-depth session.

Presenter Information: Alida van Dijk, PhD, RP is a Certified Supervisor-Educator with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care / Association canadienne de soins spirituels (CASC/ACSS) and an approved Clinical Supervisor for the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). She is the Executive Director of the Community Counselling Centre of London in Ontario. She has worked as a Spiritual Care Practitioner with veterans in long-term care at Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph’s Health Care London and has experience as a Psycho-Spiritual Therapist for grief and bereavement, depression, anxiety, adjustment and trauma. Alida approaches her clients as experts on their own lives and blends solution-focused brief therapy, narrative therapy and spiritually-integrated psychotherapy in her work. Alida is Adjunct Faculty at Martin Luther University College (Wilfrid Laurier University), Knox College (Toronto School of Theology) and Tyndale Seminary.

Presenter Information: Reverend Chaplain, Major Joseph M Kamphuis serves as a part-time pastor to Chelwood CRC in Albuquerque, New Mexico and a full-time chaplain with the New Mexico Air National Guard, a component of the United States Air Force. In 16 years of ordained ministry, Joe has served two congregations: Faith Community CRC in Zillah, Washington and Chelwood CRC. He has completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education, and was deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait in 2019. Joe and his wife Teri have been married for 23 years, and are the proud parents of three children. Joe’s passion to combat the suicide epidemic, especially among service members, veterans, and their families, has led to his interest in understanding trauma and post-traumatic growth.