About the Grief & Trauma Course
Grief & Trauma course is named Navigating Loss, Awakening Life is a spiritually-centered, trauma-informed academic course designed to equip students with the theological, emotional, and clinical foundations necessary to understand and respond to grief and trauma within personal, ministerial, and community contexts. This three-week intensive explores the complex layers of loss and trauma—how they are experienced, processed, and healed—through a biblical lens and holistic model of care.
Students will examine the theological dimensions of suffering, the emotional patterns of grief, and the psychological impact of trauma, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), emotional suppression, and trauma responses such as fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. Through structured instruction, reflective exercises, case study analysis, and guided journaling, participants will learn to identify symptoms of unresolved grief and trauma, engage in healthy personal processing, and develop strategies for compassionate, Spirit-led caregiving.
This course honors lament as a spiritual discipline and restoration as a covenant promise. Learners will be encouraged to confront their own grief stories while receiving practical tools for ministering to others in pain. Whether serving as a pastor, counselor, chaplain, caregiver, or intercessor, students will be empowered to walk alongside the brokenhearted with wisdom, truth, and grace.
By the end of the course, students will be able to discern the difference between grief and trauma, recognize the spiritual and emotional manifestations of each, and respond through biblically rooted, emotionally intelligent care that leads others from mourning to meaning and from pain to purpose.
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Dr. Althea Winifred
Duration: 3 Weeks - Intensive Course
Schedule: Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Email: [email protected]
Course Description:
This spiritually grounded and trauma-informed course addresses the complex realities of grief and trauma through a biblical lens. Participants will explore the psychological, emotional, and spiritual dynamics of loss, pain, and healing. Through teachings, interactive activities, real-life case studies, and personal reflection, learners will discover how to navigate grief, minister to others, and live again with awakened purpose.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will:
Grading Scale:
A 90 – 100 - Exceptional understanding and application; spiritually equipped and practically prepared
B 80 – 89 - Proficient knowledge; engaged and reflective; some growth areas present
C 70 – 79 - Basic understanding; needs improvement in spiritual or clinical application
D 60 – 69 - Limited understanding; lacks consistency or depth in engagement
E Below 60 - Incomplete or inadequate work; further review and mentoring required
Completion:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will receive a Diploma in Grief & Trauma Studies from Substance Institute, signifying their academic achievement and spiritual readiness to serve with compassion, competence, and care.
Students will examine the theological dimensions of suffering, the emotional patterns of grief, and the psychological impact of trauma, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), emotional suppression, and trauma responses such as fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. Through structured instruction, reflective exercises, case study analysis, and guided journaling, participants will learn to identify symptoms of unresolved grief and trauma, engage in healthy personal processing, and develop strategies for compassionate, Spirit-led caregiving.
This course honors lament as a spiritual discipline and restoration as a covenant promise. Learners will be encouraged to confront their own grief stories while receiving practical tools for ministering to others in pain. Whether serving as a pastor, counselor, chaplain, caregiver, or intercessor, students will be empowered to walk alongside the brokenhearted with wisdom, truth, and grace.
By the end of the course, students will be able to discern the difference between grief and trauma, recognize the spiritual and emotional manifestations of each, and respond through biblically rooted, emotionally intelligent care that leads others from mourning to meaning and from pain to purpose.
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Dr. Althea Winifred
Duration: 3 Weeks - Intensive Course
Schedule: Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Email: [email protected]
Course Description:
This spiritually grounded and trauma-informed course addresses the complex realities of grief and trauma through a biblical lens. Participants will explore the psychological, emotional, and spiritual dynamics of loss, pain, and healing. Through teachings, interactive activities, real-life case studies, and personal reflection, learners will discover how to navigate grief, minister to others, and live again with awakened purpose.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Define and distinguish between grief and trauma
- Identify stages, symptoms, and responses associated with both
- Understand the biblical and emotional processes of healing
- Engage in practical ministry tools to support others
- Develop a personal and spiritual action plan for restoration
Grading Scale:
A 90 – 100 - Exceptional understanding and application; spiritually equipped and practically prepared
B 80 – 89 - Proficient knowledge; engaged and reflective; some growth areas present
C 70 – 79 - Basic understanding; needs improvement in spiritual or clinical application
D 60 – 69 - Limited understanding; lacks consistency or depth in engagement
E Below 60 - Incomplete or inadequate work; further review and mentoring required
Completion:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will receive a Diploma in Grief & Trauma Studies from Substance Institute, signifying their academic achievement and spiritual readiness to serve with compassion, competence, and care.
