Every day Focus on the Family hears from good people who have faced difficult, even tragic, life circumstances, people who feel haunted by disturbing memories and who endure life with a sense of agony and desperation.
According to statistics, more people today are exposed to traumatic circumstances than past generations:
- Over two-thirds of people experience a traumatic event by the age of 16 years old.
- More than 70% of people report experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.
- About 13 million Americans have PTSD.
Someone you know has likely suffered trauma. How do you love them well? By seeking to understand how their circumstances have impacted them. Without empathy, we’ll downplay their pain, perhaps even retraumatize them.
Trauma is a delicate and complex topic. To shed light on its causes and effects and to offer practical steps for coping with trauma in a healthy manner, I’ve invited Eliza Huie, director of counseling at McLean Bible Church, to join me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly.
She uses the acrostic PEACE to help people understand how to come alongside trauma survivors:
- Patience. Patience allows others to feel heard and establishes a safe and trusting environment that gradually leads to healing.
- Education. Be willing to learn with humility.
- Acknowledge. We acknowledge what someone has suffered by listening and empathizing.
- Counseling. Recommend professional counseling and help a friend through counseling sessions if needed.
- Encourage. Encouragement allows a person who’s been traumatized to see progress and motivates them to continue their healing journey.