TRMA 820
REFLECTION JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
This reflection journal assignment is a way of responding to readings that requires you to interact
with new ideas on several levels. In this assignment, you will be developing your four
dimensions of critical thinking skills: analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and application. Note that
your grade for each Reflection Journal depends on the quality and thoroughness of developing
critical thinking skills as demonstrated in your response to each of the 3 sections below. You
must include all 3 of the headings in the body of your paper. Use current APA standards
throughout, and include the book reference at the end.
INSTRUCTIONS
From Module 1 through Module 7, after you read your weekly assigned texts and review your
online materials, you will write a weekly journal entry that includes the following:
Describe what you believe are the key ideas from this week’s readings (1 page).
How do these ideas impact you as you consider working with trauma clients
(1 page)
What Christian worldview integration thoughts come to mind from this material
(1 page)?
Your journal must be in current APA standards and include a reference page.
1
Reflective Journal
Name
Institution
Course
Date
2
Reflective Journal
Key ideas from this week’s readings
This week’s reading stood out for me in several areas. The disaster ministry handbook
provides a comprehensive guideline for churches to plan and prepare in case of a catastrophe.
Natural disasters are inevitable, such as floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, mass shootings,
pandemics, and terrorist attacks. As a result, people should be adequate since they are part
and parcel of life (Aten & Boan, 2016). Most disasters are unplanned, while only a few are
planned. The disaster handbook assists the church and community respond to plan to Biblical
justice concerns. I consider this a critical idea that stands out from this week’s reading:
collaboration between the church and community in responding to disaster and sensitizing
their members on such issues.
Another concept that stood out for me from the reading is the focus on spirituality as a
core aspect in helping trauma victims to overcome various barriers and challenges posed to
them by traumatic experiences. Spiritual support is critical for trauma victims as spiritual
leaders, such as pastors, guide and directs their members to approach given situations. The
key idea that I grasped from the material is an understanding that spirituality is a crucial
coping resource for trauma survivors (Aten & Boan, 2016). It is also an essential aspect for
self-care providers. As a result, it is a multifaceted tool that addresses the needs of the
survivors and those of the self-care providers.
Another key idea from the reading is an understanding that burnout is a primary risk
among the helping professions. Some helping professions also experience compassion fatigue
in their endeavor to support trauma survivors. Therefore, helping professions should adopt
effective self-care strategies, such as finding meaning in different scenarios and sharing with
their families and friends. These self-care strategies should give them personal time with
friends and families to focus on non-work-related issues. Stress control is also vital for
3
mental health professionals to maintain social support, optimize self-care practices, and
utilize effective coping strategies.
How the ideas impacted me as I consider working with trauma clients
This week’s reading helped me grasp several concepts that impacted my working with
trauma clients. I have learned that spirituality is a crucial aspect that therapists should strive
to address as a therapist. Therefore, I have learned that in my endeavor to work with trauma
clients, we should work with spiritual leaders to instill hope in survivors by understanding
that traumatic events are part and parcel of individual lives (Aten & Boan, 2016). As a result,
this profession should also consider spiritual nourishment when working with trauma clients
because trauma makes victims lose faith, hold grudges, or feel guilty. The ideas have also
impacted me to understand that spirituality is a coping resource for trauma clients. The ideas
have also made me understand that most traumatic events are unplanned; hence, I should
always be prepared to work with trauma clients.
Secondly, the ideas have made me understand crucial considerations for helping
professions since they also experience risks, such as burnout risks and compassion fatigue.
As a result, I have learned that I should avoid such risks (Aten & Boan, 2016). The primary
way of avoiding burnout and compassion fatigue is through healthy socialization habits with
friends, family, and colleagues. Humor is also an essential self-care habit of mitigating such
risks.
The materials have also impacted me to understand stress control for mental health
professionals as I consider working with trauma clients. Stress control for mental health
professionals requires maintaining social support from families, friends, relatives, and
colleagues. The second means of stress control for mental health professionals is to manage
vulnerabilities. Optimizing self-care practices is also crucial for mental health counselors as
we consider working with trauma clients. Finally, appropriate coping strategies are essential
for us when dealing with trauma clients. The ideas have helped me understand the
4
significance of self-care to avoid burnout risks, compassion fatigue, and stress associated
with dealing with trauma clients.
Christian worldview integration thoughts
Christianity is the leading religion globally. Its values, principles, and practices have
been vital in demonstrating love, compassion, care, hope, and encouragement for individuals
who have experienced traumatic events. The material triggers several Christian worldview
integration thoughts. The first thought that comes to mind is the place of spirituality in every
aspect of our lives. Christians believe that God is the creator of all things, and from Him, all
things originate. Thus, Biblical teachings, prayers, the fellowship of brethren, and the word of
God are vital tools in inspiring and strengthening trauma survivors (Aten & Boan, 2016).
Trauma affects spirituality in several ways, like loss of faith; however, Christians usually
encourage their members that their faith should remain firm in challenging times to confirm
their belief and trust in God.
Disasters are inevitable in our societies; however, their occurrence disrupts societies
and their stability. Most disasters lead to property destruction, financial losses, social
challenges, and loss of lives. In most cases, the impacts of disasters are beyond community
comprehension and ability. As a result, the material shows the significance of partnering with
churches supporting vulnerable populations to developing long-term disaster recovery plans
to curb such situations in the future. The severity of disasters witnessed over the past years
insinuates that communities should be prepared and sensitized to curb their challenges. The
Bible states that people should be ready and equipped with all the hordes gathered about you
to take command from them (Ezekiel 38:7). Spiritual leaders can play this role by mobilizing
their members and resources to support those in need when a traumatic experience occurs.
Christians consider different commandments; however, Jesus instructed the disciples that the
greatest commandment is love (Jacobs, 2016). Love is critical in establishing church and
community relationships. Cooperation during difficult moments is at the heart of a Christian
5
faith since the Bible states that it is better to rejoice with those who mourn, for they shall be
comforted.
6
References
Aten, J. D., & Boan, D. M. (2016). Disaster ministry handbook. Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press.
Jacobs, G. A. (2016). Community-based psychological first aid: A practical guide to helping
individuals and communities during difficult times. Butterworth-Heinemann
