A Comparison of Two Different Counselling Approaches Using Spiritual Coping Strategies in the Healing of Trauma

Abstract

The awareness of the role of spirituality in the process of the healing of trauma is useful in the delivery of therapeutic interventions. The purpose of this thesis is to promote greater awareness of some coping resources that involve spirituality and to compare two therapeutic approaches and how they incorporate the understanding of spiritual transformation in the healing of trauma. This thesis constitutes an exploration of two different approaches to healing trauma. A literature review will examine spiritual coping strategies in the healing of trauma, and concepts of belief, hope, optimism, religious/spiritual coping, surrender, meaning-making, forgiveness, resilience and acceptance are explored to clarify how therapeutic approaches utilize these concepts. Key themes, incorporated in the process of healing are identified, completing a comparison of two approaches to healing trauma, concluding with implications for practice.