emotional and spiritual care: beth goss
DESCRIPTION
Participants will learn about the importance of post disaster emotional and spiritual care for community stabilization and resiliency. Both psychological and pastoral care will be addressed.TRANSCRIPT
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Emotional & Spiritual Care After Disasters
What makes Resilience?• James P. Stratoudakis, Ph.D., LCP,Director, Office of
Quality, Compliance and Risk Management, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board
• Charles Mauer, Ph.D., Fairfax-Falls Church CSB Mobile Crisis Unit
• Rev. J. Beth S. Goss, M.Div., M.B.A., Pastor, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, National Response Team
Needs after a Disaster
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Obvious
Not obvious
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Information you will gain from this session
the role of Emotional and Spiritual Care (ESC) after disaster
Guidelines for good delivery of ESC Strategies for faith communities and
houses of worship Resources in Fairfax County
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…calls into question our ability to live with hope and trust in a
network of relationships.
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“A disaster affects the entire fabric of community that existed prior to the event. Disaster Recovery is in large part the rebuilding of community, the re-tying of the thousands of strands of relationship in the fabric of our being together that have been severed by the disaster.”
--The Rev. John A. Robinson, Jr.- Light Our Way, p. 6
The Emotional Impact of Disaster
…time →
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gativ
e…in
tens
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• Many Definitions -- Common Elements • The struggle for meaning• The relationship of the human spirit to
transcendence and hope.
A word about “Spirituality”
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• A broader term than religion or faith tradition
• Many choose religion or faith tradition for their source of belonging, meaning, and identity.
• Every person has a source of belonging, meaning, and identity whether or not ‘religious.’
more about “Spirituality”
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Who has been impacted?
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Who needs ESC?
Bereaved and seriously
injured, those suffering loss
of property
First Responders
Family and close friends
Caregivers
Faith communities, Business &
Government groups
Community at large
Nation & World at Large
…in Short,
Everybody
Who Does Emotional
and Spiritual
Care?
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Religious leadersDeaconsStephen Ministers
Who Does Spiritual and Emotional Care?
Office ManagersMusiciansSextons
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Who Does Spiritual and Emotional Care?
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Members of Groups: Lions ClubTorah Reading GroupBook GroupsAerobics Classes
Who Does Spiritual and Emotional Care?
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Friends AND Strangers
Who Does Spiritual and Emotional Care?
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Parents, Grandparents, Sisters and Brothers
Who Does Spiritual and Emotional Care?
Barbers
BartendersBeauticians
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Who Does Spiritual and Emotional Care?
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Teachers and Counselors
Who Does Spiritual and Emotional Care?
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Receptionists at Houses of Worship, Service Organizations, Government Organizations
Who Does Spiritual and Emotional Care?
ANYONE who is willing to be present
to suffering persons
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Who Does Spiritual and Emotional Care?
Essentials for Healing
Self-Care23
Narrative Positive Relationships
Narrative
• Brings the trauma into consciousness. • Gives us a way to confront the
experiences. • Lessens symptoms.• Externalizes it and gives it structure.
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Nurturing Positive Relationships
FamilyClose Friends
Group ConnectionsListening Partner
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Self-Care
What Is Emotional and Spiritual Care after Disaster?
Ministry of presence
Accepting/respecting persons where they are
Listening to survivors’ and caregivers’ stories
Encouraging close connection to community
Encouraging self-care
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How can we organize for Emotional and Spiritual Care?
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Know…
• Your own capabilities• Your own unique contribution• Your own limits.• Your natural partnerships
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Know For Whom you will provide care…• For Survivors
• Individuals and Their Families
•Entire Community• For Responders
& Caregivers
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Lots of ways to help… Educating people through media and
training groups
Providing information about available mental health and pastoral counseling resources
Holding commemorative events at anniversary times.
What will your role be?
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Adhere to ESC GuidelinesSee National VOAD Points of
Consensus in Delivery of Emotional and Spiritual Care (Spanish and English versions available)
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From Light Our Way (pg 16)
• Respect for diverse faith traditions
• Concern for confidentiality
• Guarding against unsolicited proselytization
• Respect for social diversity
• Description of professional boundaries that guarantee safety of clients
• Mechanisms for ensuring that caregivers function at levels appropriate to their training and educational backgrounds
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One Group in Fairfax County
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• Interfaith based,• Community
volunteers• Commitments to
integrity and good practices
What Fairfax County Community Chaplains do
• Show up when deployed• Offer ministry of presence• Assess need for referrals and
make referrals as appropriate• Medical• Mental health• Spiritual (refer to someone from
survivor’s faith tradition) 35
Other ways to help deliver ESC• Training in disaster ESC for groups
who serve others• Ministerial associations• Mental health professionals new to
disaster work• Teachers• Community leaders• Case managers
• Training in peer listening for the general public
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LongTermRecoveryGroups ArrangeSpecial Care for Caregivers
• Care for Caregivers retreats
• Compassion Fatigue retreats
• Mental Health Support
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More from the Community Services Board
James P. Stratoudakis, Ph.D., LCP,Director, Office of Quality, Compliance and Risk Management, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board
Charles Mauer, Ph.D., Fairfax-Falls Church CSB Mobile Crisis Unit
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