Trauma-informed Spiritual Care (SC8003Z)

Postgraduate, 12.0 points

Content

This unit will enable participants to explore principles of trauma-informed spiritual care. Students will engage with evidence-based research concerning effective spiritual care for people experiencing different types of trauma. The unit will cover the following topics:

  1. Types of trauma encountered by spiritual care practitioners, including trauma experienced by Indigenous Australians
  2. Professional integrity, accountability and integrated care
  3. Evidence-based spiritual care for people experiencing trauma
  4. Critical self-reflection

Unit code: SC8003Z

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 12.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Spiritual Care

Proposing College: Uniting College for Leadership and Theology

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Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate types of trauma that spiritual care practitioners encounter, including trauma experienced by Indigenous Australians.
2.

Critically examine the practicalities of professional integrity, accountability and integrated care.
3.

Critically discuss evidence-based practice concerning spiritual care for people experiencing trauma.
4.

Practice critical self-reflection to guide own formation as a spiritual care practitioner.

Pedagogy

Reading and reflection, group interactive discussion, case studies, role-play

Indicative Bibliography

  • Atkinson, Judy. Trauma Trails, Recreating Storylines: The Transgenerational Effects of Trauma in Indigenous Australians. Spinifex Press, 2002.
  • Hansen, Danielle Tumminio. Trauma-Informed Spiritual Care: Interventions for Safety, Meaning, Reconnection and Justice. Fortress Press, 2024.
  • Tujague, Nicole and Kelleigh Ryan. Cultural Safety in Trauma-Informed Practice from a First Nations Perspective. Palgrave Macmillan, 2023.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Portfolio 2200 100.0
Summative Reflection 800 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 25 Jun, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-06-25 11:46:17 +1000