Enrichment Session for Spiritual Directors: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Ignatian Spiritual Direction

Online Enrichment Sessions for Spiritual Directors

Sundays, 1:00-4:00pm EST – Zoom

April 7: Nicholas Collura

A Trauma-Informed Approach to Ignatian Spiritual Direction

Trauma-informed care has become an important standard in many of the helping professions. Despite our best intentions, it is easy for us to retraumatize survivors of violence if we do not adequately reflect on the risks inherent in our practice. For instance, many spiritual practitioners encourage closed eyes and deep breathing during meditation — a posture of vulnerability that can feel unsafe for some who have experienced significant powerlessness or harm. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius encourage vivid visual reflection on a bloody and agonizing crucifixion, which can induce a feeling of helplessness for those who carry the weight of moral injury. Drawing on his experience as a former trauma chaplain at Einstein Medical Center, Nicholas will lead a discussion on the impact of trauma upon spiritual experience and will explore trauma-informed adaptations of the Spiritual Exercises and of Ignatian spirituality and spiritual direction more broadly.