Coordinating Pastoral Care of Survivors with Mental Health Providers

Abstract

Maltreatment affects millions of children every year and impacts the survivor’s whole being, including emotional and spiritual health. Emotional health was long considered a spiritual issue for the Church to exclusively address. Conflict arose between the emerging mental health field and Christianity, but there is a growing awareness of the benefit that each can bring to a person's health and functioning, especially when there has been trauma. This article explores the history of that relationship and provides practical ideas for the Church and mental health providers to better collaborate to meet the needs of the people they both long to help.